Something I learned the other day. Stoney Creek descends from the base of Black Butte Dam and makes its way to the Sacramento River. Before the dam was placed there, Stoney Creek was a wild flowing salmon stream, descending from the Mendocino National Forest.
Salmon stream? You would never know it now. Gravel mining has destroyed the streambed and the power plant at the base of the dam belongs to the city of Santa Clara. Who knew? Santa Clara is 175 miles south of Orland (as the crow flies) and I am at a loss as to why Orland doesn’t reap the electrical power benefits? After all, if it’s our scenery and natural resources that have been destroyed, shouldn’t the local residents get something for it?
Stoney Creek meanders near us, about ½ mile from where we live. But it’s not worth driving to see.
There is a case going before the Supreme court over the rights of the states to decide about the use of damn within their borders. Maine wants control of being able to tear them down. I am all for the states being able to control these issues. Why would I want some guy from S. Texas determining what is best for Maine's environment. That is why I am for states rather than national government.
ReplyDeleteBut...do I want someone from S. California telling me what is best? Maybe Maine is he right size to be a state. California isn't. In fact, disparity is the problem, not size. Rural versus urban, right versus left, red versus blue...
ReplyDeleteYou hit a hot button with me Steve. California should probably be three or four states. What is right for Nothern California might not fit Southern California and what is right for both might not meet the needs of central California. Size or populations numbers might not be the problem but the variation in culture, geography, econimics, etc are.
ReplyDeleteThe balance of power lies in Southern and coastal California.
Of course this begs the question...what is the right size/right mix? In Medieval times, city/states were all the vogue. Who says a State is the right place to begin our divisions? Maybe it should be counties? Cities? How about "Gated Communities"?
ReplyDeleteInteresting that you mention gated communities.....I was watching a story about the outsourcing of American jobs to India. They showed a gated community in Calcutta that looked like any you would see in Southern California or Granite Bay. Even had the kids roller blading down the streets.
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