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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Retyped from: Letters to the
Times-Standard - May 17, 2004 - page A4</P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Trinity Record of decision based on sound
science<o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"> <o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Thomas Birmingham and Sal Parra
accuse the Hoopa Valley Tribe (HVT) of promoting “myths”, “fanciful distortions”
and “misstatements” that are supposedly delaying restoration. Nothing could be
further from the truth. In fact, the Westlands Water District, Mr. Parra’s water
provider and Mr. Birmingham’s employer, litigated to delay implementation of the
2000 Record of Decision (ROD) based on two out of basin impacts. These are being
addressed in the SEIS (see Times-Standard May 2 article “Analysis backs Trinity
plan”). </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The day before Mr. Birmingham’s
letter was published the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals stayed the litigation
regarding the ROD and ordered increased releases for the Trinity River this
year. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Mr. Parra believes that Trinity
River fishery is healthy when populations are a fraction of pre-dam numbers and
not reaching legislated restoration goals. Additionally, Mr. Parra wants
“flexible adaptive management” claiming “the tribes refuse to discuss it”. The
ROD is based on this concept and the tribes have embraced it. Mr. Parra should
read the ROD.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The HVT and Humboldt/Trinity
County community members have put forth a tremendous effort to consistently
remind our federal government of the litany of legislative and public promises
made regarding diversion of Trinity River water and reserved fishing rights.
</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">I applaud the Tribe and all of
the local advocates that promote adequate flows, restored fisheries and the
resulting economic benefit based upon sound science, vested rights, and
legislative mandates. It is Westlands’ representatives that are promoting
“myths”, “fanciful distortions” and “misstatements” and delaying Trinity River
restoration.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Thomas J. Weseloh </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">McKinleyville</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
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