Regina Chichizola: Improving water quality

By LEE JUILLERAT

H&N Regional Editor

March 14, 2008

Improving water quality along the Klamath River is the biggest concern for Regina Chichizola, who works for Klamath Riverkeeper.

    ORLEANS , Calif. — Improved water quality is what motivates Regina Chichizola, a Klamath Riverkeeper for a nonprofit organization that advocates for clean water and strong communities. 

   “It’s a historic opportunity here,” Chichizola says of the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement, especially because it calls for removal of four Klamath River hydroelectric dams and reservoirs. 

   “The dams are our main issue. There’s a definite need for some group outside the settlement to take on the toxic water issues.” 

   Klamath Riverkeeper is involved with the Waterkeeper Alliance, a national environmental group led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that connects and supports local waterkeeper groups. The groups also work on legal issues and are funded by members and private foundations. The Klamath group has two riverkeepers, Chichizola in Orleans , a village along the Klamath River , and another in Ashland . 

   Chichizola, 30, moved to far Northern California 12 years ago and lives and works in Orleans , situated between Happy Camp and Hoopa. “It’s so beautiful, and I love the Klamath River .” 

   Klamath Riverkeeper did not participate in settlement talks. The group was formed while the agreement discussions were in progress. So they’re not taking a position on whether it should be approved. Regardless of what happens, Chichizola believes the agreement can be used to improve the river’s water quality. 

   “There are just a lot of applications to restore the water quality that aren’t so controversial,” she says, citing ongoing efforts by the Klamath Riverkeeper organization and the state of California to control the runoff of fertilizers and other potentially harmful chemicals from ranches and farms. 

   She also believes a greater understanding of diseases that she says are causing the deaths of 80 percent of young salmon is necessary. 

   “The disease issues are really intense.” She suspects high mortality rates may be connected to water quality issues. 

   Chichizola thinks a major emphasis should be dams. 

   “We feel like our focus needs to be what PacifiCorp’s responsibility is,” she says. 

   She notes that many people living along the river lack electrical service; and she worries that leaving the dams in place will actually cost ratepayers more than if dams are removed. 

   “It’s not just the farmers versus the Indians.”

Side Bar

Regina Chichizola on the water agreement:

   What she likes:

   Klamath Riverkeeper Executive Director Regina Chichizola says the proposal is positive because “everyone is coming together to work things out.” 

   She’s hopeful that dam removal will lead to better water quality and possibly eventually allow salmon to return to the Upper Klamath Basin . 

   Her organization is reviewing the proposal, but will not take a position. “There are issues we have with the settlement but we will let our independent legal review address those.”
   
What she dislikes:

   “I’m a little uncomfortable because at this point the farmers have set (water) allocations and the tribes do not.” 

   She also believes the focus on the Endangered Species Act does not make sense because it emphasizes some fish species while not addressing others. In addition, Chichizola believes a greater emphasis needs to be placed on how the proposals will impact “the regular public.”

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