I’m the doubting kind and figure insects had nothing to do with it.

The truth is the EPA was so afraid that Steven Seagal would portray another of their employees – by filming a sequel to his “one line of speech then look angry “ 1997 action epic, that they’re about to deny access to 3 Billion dollars worth of Coal.

The mayfly, so irresistible to trout that anglers use it for bait and model lures after it, may become Appalachia’s spotted owl. Efforts to save old-growth forests in the Pacific Northwest, where the owls nest, led to federal protection in 1990 that restricted logging.

Mountaintop mining produces millions of tons of crushed shale and sandstone dumped in valleys and streams. Rainwater flowing though the debris carries dissolved metals into waters below, a lethal stew for mayflies, the EPA says.

Southern California thwarted by Delta Smelt, and the savior of Virginia trout a lowly mayfly?

Does size matter?

It appears so. Humans growing unsightly tumors or expiring prematurely doesn’t appear to concern our respective legislatures – we’re big enough to move if we don’t like it. Affect something small and defenseless – and get the full wrath of the Federal government on your head …

Perhaps our conservation organizations might want to rethink their game plan. Instead of defending trout, which are far too big and taste good, defend some tiny family of Caddisfly – one that’s hardly visible and largely unpronounceable…

… and then we can act surprised when the trout are the incidental beneficiary.

Tags: Virginia coal mines, mayfly, Steven seagal, EPA, Delta Smelt, old growth forests, spotted owl, trout protection, size matters

Despite two years of closure the count of returning salmon at the Coleman National Fish Hatchery is down 60% compared to last year.

Scott Hamelberg, the hatchery’s manager, said Thursday that only 8,000 Chinook salmon have returned to the Battle Creek hatchery so far this year, down from 14,000 the year before, one of the lowest-ever returns since the hatchery was built to offset the loss of breeding habitat caused by the Shasta and Keswick dams.

In light of 480,000 returnees in 2002, Salmon populations in the Sacramento now cannot even provide enough eggs and milt to fill the incubation trays.

I suppose it’s a relief to Cemex – as they’ll be getting the contract to line the bothersome ditch with cement – smoothing out all the bends so the water can be carried south faster.

I’m reminded of the scene in “Rivers of a Lost Coast” where the fisheries biologist mentions, “it won’t be the fisheries that will change things, it’ll be the need for clean water that’ll arouse the public..”

I think the fisheries lobby has missed the boat. It’s plain there’s not enough anglers to make the demise of a noble river an issue, we need to bring the issue to the masses in a way that’ll deprive someone of something.

… like rationing Fillet O’ Fish sandwiches, or closing a half dozen Hollywood sushi venues.

Some suburban mom outraged that she can’t slow her child’s wail of anguish with a sugar-fish with bun – some minor celebrity pouting over his Tekka Maki being made with canned tuna …

Hell hath no greater fury.

Tags: Coleman National Fish Hatchery, Sacramento River Salmon

They’ve done the “nasty” and as the details emerge we’ll find out whose lobby held firm as others quavered.

The California Legislature signed the hotly debated water legislation late yesterday, and while it doesn’t provide for a peripheral canal, it hasn’t ruled one out either.

The creation of an oversight committee for the Delta, which like all oversight – is defined by how much was contributed to the Governor’s war chest – and dominated by political appointees who show only for the Croissants…

— A new seven-member board to oversee the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. The board would consist of gubernatorial and legislative appointees, along with the head of an existing delta commission. The board could approve a controversial peripheral canal to channel water around the delta.

They’ll ensure that a trickle makes it to San Francisco Bay.

Us citizens, we get to pay for the 11 billion dollars of infrastructure – which will be deployed around 2015 – ensuring it costs twice as much due to inflation and the decline of US currency. The Good News is we get to vote on it, which is the bad news too.

The idea of paying for all that infrastructure by charging those that use it was shot down – as was the removal and watering-down of the penalties for illegal diversion.

… and we get to absorb a 20% cut in our freshwater while paying for the privilege – unless you live in San Francisco or Los Angeles, in which case you’re exempt as you never shower. All the rest of us citizens will be required to reduce our water usage 20% below our current levels.

A 20-percent conservation mandate for urban areas, with credits for cities that have made significant conservation efforts. Agricultural entities will have to follow best practices for water use.

… and the best practice for agricultural has been to irrigate desert, remain profitable, and sell what’s left to Las Vegas or Phoenix.

I sound skeptical and I’ve a right to be. Consensus amongst politicians rarely involves the Greater Good, and votes seem to be acquiring a more sinister note, akin to “everyone who got over on the populace raise your hand.” Ensuring each municipality gets their fare share of a diminished resource.

“I believe this measure is so bulked up with pork that it is going to sink under the weight of its own pork when voters are asked to vote on it next year,” said Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, R-Irvine, who voted against the bond.”

If the details live up to the negotiations, I’d say it’ll have no chance whatsoever. A lot of disgruntled folks that resent having to pay for the bank and automobile bailouts – could easily perceive some pork barrel water project as more of the same.

Me, I’ll ferret details and continue to vote out everyone from that shadowy third political party called, “Incumbent.”

Tags: California water wars, 11 billion water infrastructure bill, pork, big agriculture, peripheral canal, personal opinion