In response to the fish kill that claimed 34,000 plus salmon
along the Lower Klamath in September 2002, the tribes, several
organizations and the youth of the communities in the
Klamath-Trinity region coordinated the Third Annual Salmon Relay Run
on May 27th 2005. These events were organized in conjunction with
the Hoopa Elementary Fish Fair and a Hoopa High School rally and
symposium. Goals for the events were to: “unite the communities
affected by the lack of water in our rivers and the fish kill; raise
consciousness of the impacts to our people’s well-being, health, and
culture; and bring attention to the need for more water in our
rivers to help ensure there won't be a repeat of 2002's catastrophic
fish kill”.
The relay began at the mouth of the Klamath River by boat. Runners
starting at Young’s Bar Landing continued to Weitchpec, and from
there split into two groups of runners. One group continued to
beyond Willow Creek on East 299 and others in a separate leg
continued North on 96 to Somes Bar.
MKWC organized volunteers to run the section from Weitchpec to
the confluence with the Salmon river. Ten runners ran at least 2
miles each, carrying a symbolic wooden fish all the way to the
Salmon. Thanks to all who participated in our part of what was a
successful event. We look forward to coordinating the Weitchpec to
Somes Bar part of the run again next year. Watch for calls for
runners and a support team next spring.
