No dam removal

The Tribal Council of the Shasta Indian Nation would like to reiterate our position on the Klamath dams removal project. The said dams are located within the aboriginal territories of the Shasta people, yet we have not been included in any of the discussions or decisions.

We have stated and continue to stand on our position that the dams remain as they are. After many discussions with elders, citizens and researchers, they believe the same. These were some of the concerns from the people we spoke with and they are valid:

The first being that in a time when people are concerned about their "carbon footprint," wouldn't it be in all of our interests to keep an already clean, renewable source of hydro power?

Yes, the salmon are very important to the Shasta, but so are people, all people. There are many other roads that could have been considered. Dam removal should have been a last resort rather than a jackpot for the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement "stakeholders."

People are concerned about flood control, property damage and pay-rate increases — all issues that have been touched on, but not sufficiently addressed. Most of the science presented is not even there, especially on the sediment issue!

Our biggest concerns are the artifacts that will emerge, and will they be repatriated back to the Shasta people? Like we stated, we have not been invited to the talks, so we can only assume we will not be consulted on our historical sites and their contents. Are federal laws being ignored as well?

As for the algae concern, major fuel companies have announced they have invested in research to create renewable fuels from algae; that would seem like a better economic plan for all parties.

The Shasta people have been noted for our ability to make peace, respect others, work together and operate in our individual abilities. There is a better solution; we are requesting a meeting with any party interested in finding them. For more information, go to www.shastaindiannation.org. Thank you, and we look forward to your comments.

Athena Bagwell

for the Shasta Indian Nation Tribal Council