California Tribes and Fishermen Come to Omaha on Quest to Save Salmon

P R E S S R E L E A S E

KARUK TRIBE • YUROK TRIBE • FRIENDS OF THE RIVER • KLAMATH RIVERKEEPER

For Immediate Release: May 1, 2007

Contact: Craig Tucker, Klamath Coordinator, Karuk Tribe, 919-207-8294


CALIFORNIA TRIBES AND FISHERMEN COME TO OMAHA ON QUEST TO SAVE SALMON
Leaders want to tell Berkshire Investors that dam removal is good for salmon and good for business

Omaha, NE – Members of California’s three largest Indian Tribes and allies from commercial fishing and conservation groups arrive in Omaha today in a quest to save their salmon and their cultures. At issue is an aging complex of dams owned by Portland based PacifiCorp, a subsidiary of Berkshire’s Mid American Energy.

According to Richard Myers of the Yurok Tribal Council, “These dams are poor power producers, offer no flood control, and do not provide water for irrigators. The only thing they do well is destroy the livelihoods of Indians and fishermen.”

Chook Chook Hillman is one of four fatevaneen, or world renewal priests, who come to Omaha fasting in preparation for a medicine making ceremony. According to Hillman, “the river is our grocery store, our playground, and our church. PacifiCorp’s dams desecrate what is most valuable and sacred for us. We want the owners of this company to hear our story and then act to stop the injustice.”

The Tribes and fishermen’s claim that dam removal is the right decision for Berkshire’s PacifiCorp is based on more than moral and ethical arguments. Both the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the California Energy Commission have filed reports that conclude that dam removal is cheaper than relicensing. This is due to the fact that the dams produce relatively little power and upgrading the antiquated complex to comply with modern environmental laws will cost $400 million.

Ronnie Pellegrini is the wife of a commercial salmon fishermen. She and her two daughters traveled to Omaha with the tribes while her husband stayed home to take advantage of every day of the short fishing season. “The destruction of the Klamath affects the livelihoods of thousands of commercial fishing families too. Everyone in our communities, native and non-native, are in the same boat and that boat is sinking fast.”

The Tribes will be hosting a series of events in the Omaha this week leading up to a rally at the Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders’ meeting on Saturday, May 5 at the Qwest Center.

On Thursday May 3rd the tribes will host a salmon tasting at Heartland of America Park where they will roast salmon traditionally on an open fire on redwood spits. Kippered and smoked salmon, sturgeon and eel will also be available.

On Friday May 4th, Tribal members will perform a Brush Dance which an ancient healing ceremony again at Heartland of America Park. The ceremony features singers, dancers and impressive traditional regalia.

On Saturday May 5th the group plans to demonstrate outside the Qwest Center during the Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders’ meeting.

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Also see http://www.ferc.gov