Klamath Basin

Cole and Foster (2002) describes how many of the Native environmental justice struggles were focused around land and environmental exploitation (p. 26), both of which can be seen with the case of clear cutting in the Grassy Narrows community (Keewatin v Minister of Natural Resources, 2011), as well as with the issues surrounding the case of mercury pollution (Grassy Narrows and Islington Indian Bands Mercury Pollution Claims Settlement, 1986). This is an environmental justice issue because the Grassy Narrows people continually have to deal with environmental racism. Both of the examples mentioned above, along with the fact that they are still battling out in court their right to clean water and harvesting rights that sustains their livelihood (Keewatin v. Ontario Natural Resources, 2013) show how indigenous communities are still facing environmental racism in Canada.

     The Klamath Lake, along with other various rivers, lakes and canals that surround it, are the basis for almost 500 species of wildlife in southern Oregon and parts of northern California. It also serves as the most important factor in a farmer’s livelihood; their irrigation. The basis for the water crisis that is going to today in this region is that the current water levels and somewhat water quality are diminishing and reeking havoc on the area’s

Before the loss of springbank clover Coast Salish people ecologically managed the site by selective harvesting of root vegetables, weeding, and clearing which are all practices of stewardship. Creating my plant creation I was able to see that ethnobotany can be a bridge to reconciliation through practices of stewardship. Stewardship relates directly to the principle that Chief Adam Dick (Kwaxsistala) practices, teaches and values deeply, “Keeping it living”. By stewarding and “Keeping it living” we are not resentfully harming plants or animals by overharvesting and we are allowing them to continue to grow and reproduce. Furthermore, we are maintaining and sharing the knowledge at a global level to continue to encourage sustainable resource

This case study highlights that the Nevada Four were spiritually and had long term personal connections to do something good for the Wetlands. Upon being neglecting, these four bureaucrats took action and got involved with going behind their superior back to see fit to their beliefs and passion for the Wetlands. The Wetlands future was in the hands of the Department of Interior, in which the Nevada four felt wasn’t making any progression and decided to take action and attack from the outside. These four guerilla were natural scientists, who became experts in public relations. The Nevada four seen an opportunity to publicize their concern and get their agenda on the table when 7.5 million tui chub fish were found DEAD. Their mentioned that the cause of death was unknown and there could be a possibility that the Bureau of Reclamation could have something to do with this crisis. The “decisive trigger” was the angle the Nevada Four was looking to take, they understood that things had to get bad or at least seem bad, before anyone would do anything. They were denied once again for funding, so they took action and contacted owner of the inactive water to donate their water rights. This change the game, and was considered thinking outside the box, which their felt the Department of Interior would have never approved. The Nevada Four looked to give credit for success to other, because they were dedicated to a goal, and not to personal aggrandizement.

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe currently fights to save its only water source from natural gas and oil contamination. This troubling current event has a somewhat forgotten historical analogue where very similar themes presented themselves. The Kinzua Dam Controversy, which took place in the 1950’s and early 1960’s, resulted in the displacement of over 600 Seneca Indian families and the acquisition of a large tract of traditional Seneca Land for dam building. Additionally, the acquisition of Seneca land represented a breach of “The Treaty with the Six Nations of 1794,” which explicated prevented such action by the US Government. The dam and its construction, which primarily benefitted Pittsburg, inspired a heated discourse concerning the ethics of native relocation.

The environment, and recreational activities that are essential to the outdoors, have also been negatively impacted by this system for allocating water rights. The issue of whether or not this system is equitable towards environmental protection has been raised because environmental organizations typically do not have the same funds as other entities, such as cities and towns, oil, gas, and energy companies, and manufacturing. Furthermore, as Jones and Cech point out, “environmental concerns continue to be underrepresented in Colorado water law and policy” (p. 712). This has created a situation similar to agriculture, where environmental concerns become second thoughts to those of M&I, giving rise to environmental issues across the state. These environmental issues can have an effect on residents throughout Colorado, from anglers who enjoy healthy streams and rivers for fishing, to kayakers and rafters who need flowing rivers to recreate

Historically, this region was host to communities of Native Americans (East West Gateway Council of Governments, 2007, Leland, 1953). The abundance of freshwater and navigable rivers has attracted communities of people, and subsequently, commerce (Foley, 2000). Naturally, resources throughout the land have been extracted and utilized to further build these communities and attract prospective businesses. In the 19th century, this watershed was impacted by mining, logging, and grazing practices. In the early 20th century, logging dominated resource extraction (East West Gateway Council of Governments, 2007) which swiftly impacted the landscape. Ultimately, as logging stressed this region’s resources, state legislation allowed the federal government to purchase large tracts of land to establish national forest. Soon after, the national mobilization of the Civilian Conservation Corps, during the height

In 2012 and 2013 Klamath County on the Southern Oregon border declared a drought in April, after a string of fortunate years of heavy rain and snow. In 2014, a drought emergency was declared in February, two months earlier than in 2013, and in 2015 drought was again declared for the county in April( United State Geological Survey 2015). These successive drought declarations are not surprising to anyone who was following the Western water crisis during those years, where the governor of California declared a state of emergency and urban Californians were mandated to find ways to cut their water consumption drastically . In 2012, 10,000 avian mortalities were reported in the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges because of the shut off of water facilities that support wetland habitat for migratory species (Learn 2012.) During those dry years, an article titled Birds are Dying As Drought Ravages Avian Highways ran in National Geographic, featuring Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge and putting the struggle of its bird species in a regional context, as long distance flyers found fewer and fewer refuges with the water resources to maintain them( Kay 2015). It was these shocking statistics that first attracted me, as a birder, to the basin as an area of study. However, as I began to wade into the history of the basin and its complicated local politics, I soon realized that I could not disentangle the issues experienced by wildlife and wildlife managers in the

Even if the lands are protected, they are not safe from the ecological burden of protecting our borders. Due to changes in legislation the Border Patrol Agency is exempt from stringent environmental laws. This is true in any of the areas surrounding the border, and they are looking to expand the radius of exemption, to better protect our borders. The Defenders of Wildlife, the Sierra Club, and the Northern Jaguar Project are looking to reinstall a social rule which the United States already implemented with the Endangered Species Act. This legislation created the social rule that no species should be forced into extinction due to human activities. Riders on the Illegal Immigration Act and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 and the Real ID act of 2005 allowed this social rule to become obsolete. Social rules changes in favor of the environment occur when the public is largely in support for saving the environment. However this support can be splintered by another need of the country especially when the opposing discourse has a crisis wave to ride. This case shows how the issue of border security triumphs environmental needs due to the pertinence of immigration reform along with the crisis impact caused by the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

This country cannot work without mutual understanding and respect between the american people and the government. Listening to various ideals is part of the communication process and those who don’t support the protection of wilderness are choosing to stick with not supporting any bills that deal with the protection of the land. In the essay “Finding Common Ground on Protecting Montana Wilderness,” Rick Bass, an experienced author, advocate and resident of the Yaak Valley, states his views on the matter of protecting the wild lands from the timber industry and other members of the opposition while at the same time respecting their views.

Environmental issues, here in Arkansas, are relatively scarce when it comes to pollution and other factors. Arkansans tend to protect their land, below the ground and above sea level. For example, investigate the Blanchard Springs Caverns. With jagged rocks, sharp and pointed structures, low temperatures, and high humidity, these caverns are a joy to see. Environmentally, these caverns are beautifully maintained. (Galiano). Caves are underground, naturally changing due to many environmental factors. However, personal touching or harming of any part of the cavern is strictly prohibited. As a result, the cave only benefits or is obstructed by natural environmental changes, not by humans. All of this is said to say this: We, as Arkansans, are

They are unique in how they view and use nature; it’s the source for everything in their

The Maumee River Basin is an important aspect of our communities. Water is important to our everyday life. Pope Francis calls us to examine our lives and becomes aware of the many issues being faced on our earth. It is important to establish a relationship with creation. The first step in doing so is becoming informed and acting. This semester we focused one of the several issues affecting us globally as we’re as locally. The issue that I decided to learn about was the local issue on flooding. In Fort Wayne and surrounding in the 1845’s the great flood. The great flood killed a family of 6. Floods are local issues that are not focus on. In the

Peirce F. Lewis’s “Axioms for Reading the Landscape” focuses on how to read and understand landscapes through a set of rules which he calls “axioms.” In the “Geographic (or Ecological) Axiom,” Lewis (1979, 24) argues that studying a landscape outside its location makes no sense in gaining cultural insight on the landscape. Don Mitchell (2007, 43) in “New Axioms for the Landscape,” presents the idea that the shape of the land provides direction to its social life. Carrie Breitbach’s (2009) “The Geographies of a More Just Food System: Building Landscapes for Social Reproduction” revolves around the idea of bringing justice to the food system by rectifying landscape and social reproduction as a solution in South Dakota. Lewis’s and Mitchell’s

The people nowadays also abuse on what nature can provide to them. People are influenced by the western Culture, Man is more powerful and can have dominion over nature and that nature as they see become merely an instrument to satisfy human needs and wants. This kind of thinking or we can say attitude towards nature is called the “Anthropocentric Attitude”. Man reduce the value of nature as it is and it’s important because nature has made all things specifically for the sake of man and that the value of non-human things in nature is merely instrumental. An opposite thinking would be the Eastern Culture, for they value nature very well and they treat nature being one with them. This thinking or attitude is known as “Ecocentric