In this story from today’s Auburn Journal the festival yesterday at the American River, in the area that will be flooded if the Auburn Dam is built, is reported on.
Here is an excerpt.
Monday, June 12, 2006
Canyon celebration soars
By: Michelle Miller, Journal Staff Writer
The 15th annual American River Confluence Festival Sunday was a day to marvel at mountain lions, paint a ceramic salmon and enjoy a breathtaking view of the American River Canyon from the Overlook Park.Tom Roush, 50, of Loomis, and his sons William, 6, and Michael, 3, were carving scales and fins into clay fish for an art project.
"We left the house at 8 a.m. not knowing where we were going to go," said Roush, a first-time visitor to the festival. "We saw the sign at Highway 49 and this has just been fantastic."Several educational and arts and crafts booths had plenty for little hands to do Sunday.
The Placer Nature Center had a microscope for children to get an up-close glimpse at bugs."
If we can ignite their passion for the Earth and to recognize that they are one with the Earth, then they'll become natural advocates for protection of the environment," said Leslie Warren, executive director of the Placer Nature Center, now in its 15th year.
Five-year-old Nathan Riffie, of Roseville, was quite proud of his accomplishment on the rock-climbing wall."I went all the way up. Twice!" he said. "When you're all the way up it's like being on top of a mountain."
But river enthusiasts couldn't help but think of the "politics" and revived discussion on constructing an Auburn dam that would put the river and the canyon under water.
Several anti-dam groups passed out information to educate visitors on the recreational, historical and spiritual uses for the canyon. Dam proponents say it is necessary for flood protection.Even the morning river blessing that kicked off the festival had an undercurrent of concern about the canyon's future."
As you know, we cannot take for granted the politics. We thought we settled this once already, twice and three times. I ask us all, 'What are we going to do about that?'" said Auburn artist Stan Padilla, who led the prayer.
"We must see ourselves as the stewards and the hearts and minds for nature because she cannot speak in times like this."
Local flute group Loping Wolf played a Zuni morning song before the prayer. Then Tibet-born monk Lobsang Tsultrim gave a blessing to the river, chanting and throwing rice into the canyon.
