SOSS - Save Our Shasta and Scott Valleys Coalition

The Save Our Shasta and Scott Valleys coalition was organized in October of 2001 to defend the Shasta and Scott Valleys from potential regulatory action regarding water.

Our community is on the threshold of change.  There are numerous ongoing issues that we need to understand and these issues are complex problems dealing with government entities.

SOSS is staying abreast in the discussions and issues regarding water and is working to interpret the threats and and share that information with the community.

<Picture> w/ link to information about Shasta Valley
<Picture> w/ link to information about Scott Valley

The water issues facing our rural agricultural communities are fierce.  This is a battle that will only be won if we are unified in preserving our custom, culture and businesses.

SOSS NEEDS YOU!

Donations are welcome and appreciated.  See our Financial page for more information.

Save Our Shasta and Scott Valleys Coalition
Meetings are held on the 2nd Monday of each month at 7:00pm - see Calendar for location.
 

Email: Director@sossvalleys.org
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 207, Yreka, CA 96097
Phone: (530) 468-2896

Background of the SOSS Coalition

SOSS began in October of 2001 with local citizens coming together to work on defending property and water rights as the California Fish and Game Commission considered listing the COHO Salmon as "Threatened" or "endangered" under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).

Two committees of the SOSS coalition worked in early 2002 to find a fish biologist and gather all the data, information and science regarding COHO Salmon in the Northern California area; and to find an attorney to provide expertise in dealing with government agencies.

SOSS hired a well-known biologist from Walnut Creek , Chuck Hanson, who testified to the State Fish and Game Commission that COHO in the Siskiyou area were not declining in numbers.

Attorney Daniel O'Hanlon was retained.  He served as manager of the Water Law and Natural Resources aspect of the Kronick, Moskovitz, Tiedmann & Girard law practice in Sacramento.  he too has testified to the Commission.

Early in 2002, the Executive Committee of SOSS voted to join the Collaborative Industry Group, wich is a statewide coalition of organizations including: California Forestry Association, Farm Bureau Federation, Realtors' Association, Building Industry Association, Cattlemen's Association, Agricultural Council of California, Forest Landowners of California and Associations of Water Agencies.

Subsequent activities have included joining the effort to successfully prevent the Department of Water Resources from increasing the fees for Water Master Service five and six fold and actively participating in the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board process to establish action plans for Total Maximum Daily Load. (TMDL) requirements related to impaired water quality in the Scott and Shasta River systems (see links below).
 

Statement of purpose

SOSS is dedicated to preserving and strengthening Siskiyou County's cultural heritage, economic well-being and the rights of its citizens whenever natural resource issues have significant potential to affect the people and communities within its boundaries. 
To Achieve this, SOSS focuses on the following:  Review scientific data, reports, articles and opinion affecting Siskiyou County natural resource issues with the intent of educating and providing rational insight to people and organization seeking to make sense of this vast body of information:

Provide independent studies funded and/or coordinated through SOSS to assist governmental officials and agencies in having all of the information necessary to make valid decisions;  Identify, evaluate and recommend legal strategies and options, with regard to their potential benefit to County efforts aimed at preserving property rights, local economies, and the social integrity of the the Shasta and Scott Valleys;

Identify, evaluate, recommend and implement political strategies and options that will build and sustain public and governmental support for policies, legislation and activities that likewise build and sustain the integrity of local economies and social structure.
 

  
Financial information

SOSS is a Non-profit Organization

SOSS relies totally on local financial support to fund its activities.
If you are interested in helping SOSS in the battle to preserve the custom, culture and businesses of the Shasta and Scott Valleys, please make donations payable to SOSS and mail to P.O. Box 207, Yreka, CA 96097
 

Fund-raising Events

A Dinner-Auction was held on April 26, 2002, which raised an unprecedented amount of money - to the tune of $40,000.
Also a letter was sent out to businesses and landowners asking for donations.  More than $160,000 was raised.

In October 2005, SOSS held another Dinner-Auction was held to help continue its efforts to defend the Shasta and Scott Valleys from further regulatory actions.
 

Issues:

Coho Salmon
Water Master Fees
Water Quality
 

Local Organizations:

Shasta Valley Resource Conservation District
Siskiyou Resource Conservation District
Farm Bureau
Cattlemens Association