Norton won't convene 'God squad'

FROM THE ARCHIVE

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MONDAY, JULY 16, 2001

Secretary of Interior Gale Norton on Friday rejected a request made on behalf of farmers in Oregon to convene an Endangered Species Committee.

Two irrigation districts in Oregon wanted the committee, known as the "God squad" due to its power in determining protections for species, to review a Bureau of Reclamation decision to deny them water. But Norton said the districts don't have legal standing to make the request.

The Bureau of Reclamation is holding back water from about 1,400 farmers in order to protect endangered sucker fish and the threatened coho salmon.

Meanwhile, a group of farmers once again broke into a canal yesterday. US Marshals have been watching over the protesters but have not made any arrests.

The endangered species committee petition was filed on behalf of the districts by Pacific Legal Foundation. The group is currently representing a non-Indian woman who lives on the Hoopa Valley Reservation in California and wants to cut down timber near a sacred site.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals last year ruled against the tribe's attempt to protect the site. But the court has decided to review the case and will make another decision in the future.

Get Norton's Decision:
Letter to Pacific Legal Foundation (DOI 7/13)

Get the Story:
Klamath irrigation appeal rejected (The Seattle Times 7/14)
Klamath head gates peacefully reclosed (The Oregonian 7/15)
Oregon Farmers Tap Forbidden Irrigation Canal (AP 7/16)
Norton Rejects Call to Have Panel Review Water Cutoff (The New York Times 7/14)
Editorial: Oregon's Water War (The New York Times 7/15)
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Relevant Links:
Pacific Legal Foundation - http://www.pacificlegal.org