NEC :: ECONEWS

Claire Courtney Dies, Big Plans for Humboldt Bay, Highlights of ECONEWS, and More!

Claire Courtney Has Fought Her Last Fight
Redwood Marine Terminal Business Plan Hits the Street
Highlights of This Month's ECONEWS
A Few of Last Month's ECONEWS Articles
Scientific Review of Proposed Klamath Basin Settlement
The Proposed Settlement
Scientific Peer Reviews of Flow Models Used in the Settlement

Claire Courtney Has Fought Her Last Fight

Longtime NEC Board member and overall North Coast rabble rouser Claire Courtney died June 30. She was 81. This is truly a loss for her family and friends and the many communities she served here.

Courtney joined the board of the NEC during the mid-1980s, and remained on the board until the time of her death. She served several years as president, and helped guide the NEC after the death of longtime Executive Director Tim McKay, in July 2006. Courtney stepped down as president in February.

“She was a tireless worker for the democrats and for the North Coast environment,” said Larry Glass, a 30-year NEC board member who recruited Courtney to join the Center’s board. “I drafted her onto the board because we needed people who were level headed and had a full body of experience. She was a great ally during rough times on the board. She helped steer us out of some treacherous waters. Her passing is a great loss.”

She will be missed.

Redwood Marine Terminal Business Plan Hits the Street

The draft plan submitted by TranSystems to the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District presents some surprises.

Over 100 people packed the meeting of the District's Board of Commissioners at the Wharfinger Building on June 26, and many expressed concerns about the plan. One of those who spoke was Greg King. Click here to read his comments to the Board.

The plan is available on the District's web site, or click here to download it.
Comments on the plan will be taken at the next two Board meetings, and written comments will be accepted until July 26.

Highlights of This Month's ECONEWS

A recent diesel tanker accident along the wild and scenic Smith River resulted in little damage to wildlife, but raised the specter of future accidents.
Click here to read about the implications of a chemical spill along the Smith River, and factors that influence that possibility.

The polar bear has been placed on the Endangered Species List. This listing has raised a storm of controversy.
Read the ECONEWS article about it here.

And because life isn't supposed to be entirely serious, check out a photo of our "Sick Mother" rolling down the road during the Kinetic Sculpture Race.

A Few of Last Month's ECONEWS Articles
Click here to find articles about the controversy over creating a container port and re-establishing the railroad, the need for more water for salmon in our rivers, a victory for CATs (and the Eel River) and more!

Scientific Review of Proposed Klamath Basin Settlement
The NEC believes that the proposed settlement does not provide for enough water in the Klamath River to ensure the survival of fish.

The Proposed Settlement

After many years of negotiations, a draft settlement document was created. The following links will lead you to
a summary of the document as well as
the complete draft.

Scientific Peer Reviews of Flow Models Used in the Settlement

The NEC commissioned two studies by well-respected fisheries biologists. Our concern, which they showed to be valid, was that the settlement provide for the survival of fish as least as much as it provides water for farmers. Click here to read the report done by McBain & Trush followed by their recommendations.

Kamman provided a second scientific opinion.

Updated Tuesday, March 01, 2005