This is a lengthy, but very informative piece in Forbes about the Columbia River’s power/enviro management by BPA (and others) of 31 dams. A lot of good information in here. I queried this given the heavy dump of wet snow here last night, up the Gorge and wondering about runoff/flooding the next few days. I learned a lot more on the behind the scenes management of water running downhill to the ocean.
Grand Coulee Dam, the Columbia River's largest dam.
“CHEYENNE, Wyo. — A judge on Friday threw out Obama administration rules that sought to slow down expedited environmental review of oil and gas drilling on federal land. U.S. District Judge Nancy Freudenthal ruled in favor of a petroleum industry group, the Western Energy Alliance, in its lawsuit against the federal government, including Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.” Huff Po Enviro
“Categorical exclusions (CEs) are categories of actions that have been determined not to have a significant effect on the human environment either individually or cumulatively.” Categorical Exclusions
Outdoor Life, 1962
Great idea. Just don’t let it be a vehicle driven by those that aim to control every aspect of your life. All sounds good ’til the never ending reg’s result.
Awhile back, I posted several times re the New Madrid Fault line because I found it interesting as a geological-seismic-historical event. Then later, I posted a bit re the New Madrid Fault line and the current nuclear reactors in close proximity….wondering about the wisdom, given the events in Japan.
But, in a more grandiose vision, some have a different take on all this in light of recent flooding of the Mississippi River:
“The “once in 500 year” flooding of the Mississippi river over the New Madrid fault line is part of a campaign directed against the American people, according to multiple intelligence agency (MI6, CIA, FSB, Japan Security police) sources. The HAARP caused flooding is expected to be followed by an earthquake and then a “nuclear emergency” involving the 15 nuclear reactors located in the region. This will be a pretext for mass evacuations into FEMA camps, the sources say. The best way to derail this plan, apart from arresting the criminal cabal in Washington D.C., is to widely announce and denounce these plans in advance.”
Foil Paranoia...So To Speak (SwittersB)
Can we all say whackadoodle? http://gramercyimages.com/blog1/2011/05/10/flooding-of-the-mississippi-river-at-new-madrid-fault-line-is-part-of-campaign-against-the-american-people/
One of these most volatile seismic areas in the U.S., the New San Madrid Fault is surrounded by over a dozen nuclear power plants.
“The USGS report predicts that a major quake would create horrific scenes like something out of a science fiction movie, potentially cutting the Eastern part of the country off from the West in terms of vehicular traffic and road commerce.” ABC News
I hope there is an honest and immediate assessment of what would be needed re the nuclear power plant’s failures in the event of catastrophic quakes in the New San Madrid area?
“…a major quake along the New Madrid fault line could displace 7.2 million people and knock out 15 bridges. The response would require 42,000 first responders from local firefighters to the Pentagon. Another study by the Mid-America Earthquake Center last year estimates that nearly 750,000 buildings would be damaged, 3,000 bridges would potentially collapse…”
Fisheads Flies 'n Lore
Via Spey Heads (FB) for Fish Heads Flies and Lore
Indulgent individualism? Rebels without a care? Whatever, they help tweak the realm, even if you hate them, envy them, support them. Sometimes fish bums are akin to foodies, the well traveled, the spoiled few….you want to just slap the shit out of them. Then again, you like knowing them too.
Alaska’s new Attorney General, John Burns, is an avid fly fisher. He also provides not so subtle clues on his position re statehood, state’s rights, Federal regulations and ‘overreach’, development of resources and the environment in a piece in the Juneau Empire………
“Burns stated the biggest challenge so far is prioritizing the multitude of issues affecting the state. Outside of Alaska is the concern of state sovereignty and the frustration of dealing with Federal regulations and unnecessary overreach, and the federal government seeking to regulate that which they cannot legislate.”
“From our perspective, the ability of our state to become a state, to become an independent entity is critically dependent on its ability to develop its resources,” Burns said, quoting Parnell. Burns urges all Alaskans to read the Statehood Act as well. “The frustration is that, I strongly believe that anybody that lives in the state of Alaska, who has lived here for a long period of time, is an environmentalist. You cannot live in this great state and participate in all that we have and not want to see it continue. But at the same time we recognize that you can have different and responsible development coexisting with that ability to participate. The frustration that I see is that the rest of the world does not believe that we are competent enough to responsibly develop our resources. I don’t think that they believe we care about this wonderful state. To me that belies comprehension. Every Alaskan I have talked to, who has been here for any length of time, is here because it is such an incredible state. The thought that we would do something to ruin it is beyond comprehension to me.”
I wonder if Mark or Brad at Alaska (Juneau) Fly Fishing Goods (nice shop by the way) might ask John Burns, the next time he drops in to heft that new 6 wt., what his take is on the Pebble Mine issue and that whole process. Unofficial position, of course.
Life = “…pilling is the formation of small, fuzzy balls on the surface of a fabric. It detracts from the appearance of the fabric, making it look old and worn, and it is often difficult to restore a garment with fabric pilling to its original condition. Certain types of fibers and weaves are more prone to fabric pilling than others, but it is often a normal part of wear and tear.”
Pilling Along The Way (SwittersB)
Live your life. Pills are a normal part of life. If you haven’t got any, what the hell are you waiting for? If you do, embrace them your sorry son of a bitch! Ok, I just watched “We Were Soldiers” A bit over inspired, perhaps.
No, I recently ran into an old acquaintance from another life of say 25 years ago. A life boxed and compartmentalized for sanity’s sake. He remarked about some ol’ timers he had run into from the old, hard days and how those men all were stuck back in negativity and the past. We shook our heads knowing it was wasteful, but looking over our shoulder to be careful negativity was not looming. I raised my glass to that old friend and saluted where we had been, and more importantly, where we were now. In the present! To the past (if you can remember it) and to the present and future. Rough up that fabric. Oh, psycho babble aside, if the lid on the box is ajar; close it.
Came upon the issue (via Terry Edelmann @ FB) of the rather sneaky (or we were asleep, or both) Tar Sands Development and the intrusive transportation corridor for materials for development for the extraction of the Tar Sands oil reserves in Northern Alberta, Canada. (Kearl Oil Sands Project)
The attached links will explain that the much of the materials come in via ship from South Korea and elsewhere to the port at Vancouver, Washington. From there the oversized components are barged up the Columbia River to Lewiston, Idaho and then these somewhat massive loads are trucked on precarious roadways up through Idaho and Montana and then into Northern Alberta where they will be assembled for the extraction process.
What is shocking is the little attention this has received until recently (or, I was not paying attention). I find some remarks about it back in 2009 and a lot of eco angst about the whole Tar Sands issue in Alberta. But, there was an almost off the radar coordination here regarding the inland transportation of extraction components. Public hearings were held by Imperial Oil (Exxon-Mobil). (oh, don’t forget Conoco-Phillips is involved here as well).
But, it is evident the buy offs had to have been raised some time back to get the green light to enter a US port, get approval to off load and then reload for a push up the Columbia River, move up through all those dams, utilize the Lewiston port and then most amazingly transport hundreds of over sized loads on roads that will require power line alterations, over pass alterations, turn out alterations, and most importantly to most reading here potentially deform watersheds, fisheries and the recreational industries of Idaho and Montana (Alberta too?). No studies? No permitting process? Just a big ass green light to proceed.
I have attached several links. One in particular provides comments re the feasibility of much more commerce via this route into Canada and into the US mid west. So, this expanded wide industrial corridor via the mighty Columbia…up through the dams and then by roads, through a way of life we appreciate, idealize, worship, or lead is for many a big middle finger. This is a precursor to greater plans for these routes.
I have attached these links because they are somewhat thoughtful and at least written in a thoughtful tone as opposed to the ecobot’s the sky is falling. Go to any posts re Tar Sands if you need your hysterical fix.
This is one instance where Washington, Idaho and Montana snuck one by the citizens in a big ass way. As this grotesque convoy scrapes, erodes, defiles its way East and then North some serious questions should be asked of representatives that shrugged, ignored, or accepted no significant impact reports. In this day in age, this is not like building the railroad or as one said honoring Lewis and Clark and Jefferson’s vision.
USA Today Tar Sands Invasion Advocates West
Transportation Report Montana Misssoula News
“…is one of approximately 250 currently proposed for a new permanent industrial corridor through the Northwest. Over the next three decades, existing contracts between oil corporations and Asian manufacturers could result in thousands of shipments traveling this corridor, clogging roads on most days of the year.” All Against The Haul
Obama Administration comment?
I can by no means frame the contentious Pebble Mine debate any better than the article I am linking to in this post by Andrew Jensen @ The Alaska Journal of Commerce. Seriously take a few minutes to read it and consider the realities here. Whether the mining process moves forward or not based upon celebs, fishing industry, eviro’s and FFers input is, to me, frankly insignificant. The often ignored point is China. It is being ignored in our country’s current debt debate and financial crisis by many. China now owns us. China is one of the largest consumers of resources and will surpass us and India soon to consume the majority of natural resources. China will eventually own the majority interest in Pebble Mine. Yes. (China & Mining & Fishing) (China & Gold Production)
So, with all the notable celebs and groups that have mounted anti Pebble attention why no substantive response from the Obama Administration. They (Dem’s) have held the power since 2006 (Congressional) and Executive since 2008. Why? The usual connect the media dots by such groups re all manner of fav issues is most often enough to result in legislation or executive orders for regulations to control most aspects of our life, especially in the last two years. Token BS about innovation for green this and that; wind turbines, solar…yadda yadda. Why nothing substantive on Pebble Mine? The sense of urgency should be about our financial house of cards, our resources (managed or not) and China. Just a matter of time re the Pebble Mine holdings and China’s insertion into the mix. Then what?
