Issue Date: September 19, 2001
By
Christine Souza
Assistant Editor
California Farm Bureau Federation
A group who stood guard at the A Canal headgates of the Klamath Project, protesting the federal government’s decision to reduce farmers’ water supply to almost zero, reached an understanding with the Department of Interior and local law enforcement in Klamath Falls, Ore., and vacated the property.
“We felt we could better serve our country somewhere else at the immediate time. Helping people in New York City is a national priority,” said Klamath Relief Fund member and Oregon farmer Rick Rodgers. “We thought we and the 20 federal agents at the headgates would be better off helping to serve our country. It was a move of patriotism.”
The group of protesters at “Camp Headgate,” known as Klamath Relief Fund, met with representatives of local law enforcement and federal agents stationed at the headgates. On Wednesday, Klamath Relief Fund members agreed to end their presence at the headgates and take their plea for irrigation water for Klamath Basin farm families back to the Secretary of the Interior. They dismantled their camp—which had been in place since July 4— the following day.
The agreement is scheduled to be in place until Jan. 1, 2002.
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation stated it will begin implementing structural security and safety improvements such as improved fencing and lighting systems at the headgates. That work is expected to be completed in about a month. Also, a drilling rig and heavy equipment will be located in the headgate area over the next several months to prepare for installation of a fish screen. The Interior law enforcement contingent at the headgates will be reduced. As a result of the understanding, the Klamath County District Attorney, Klamath County Sheriff and Klamath Falls Police Department have agreed to enforce the trespass laws of the state of Oregon on Bureau of Reclamation property.
Protesters at headgates held their ground for more than two months, showing support for local farmers and communities stripped of their water rights by government agencies. This fight for water began on April 6, the day the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced that no water would be made available from Upper Klamath Lake to supply the majority of the farmers of the Klamath Project due to drought. This was based on a new biological opinion released by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that indicated irrigation water be set aside for the Lost River sucker and shortnose sucker in Upper Klamath Lake and coho salmon in the Klamath River. The loss to the farmers and the community was estimated at $250 million.
Farmers became outraged. The decision sent community members into action to call attention to their plight with many events such as a tractor rally, bucket brigade, Mother’s Day march, parades and a countrywide convoy.
Late this summer, Interior Secretary Gale Norton ordered the release of 75,000 acre-feet of water to farmers for cover crops so the region’s soil would not be lost to wind erosion. Many farmers characterized this action by Norton was “too little too late.”
Despite an unprecedented water shortage to local farms in the Klamath Basin this year, Tulelake Irrigation District and local farmers committed a portion of their newly developed groundwater resource to the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge. Last week, they sent the first of approximately 4,300 acre-feet of water to the refuge.
The newly released water will replenish wetlands and marshes vital to waterfowl, shorebirds and bald eagles that rely upon them for resting and feeding opportunities.
“This year, these growers have taken a huge hit. Yet, regardless of their own significant problems, they continue to keep the needs of waterfowl close to their hearts,” said Bill Gaines, California Waterfowl Association director of government affairs. “Their willingness to release 4,300 acre-feet of water to the parched refuge is a clear indicator of their commitment to the Pacific Flyway resource.”
While work done to protect waterfowl at local refuges continues, California legislators are attempting to acquire relief funding for those people of the Klamath Basin. On Wednesday, Sen. Maurice Johannessen, R-Redding, carried Assembly Bill 1637, which authorizes $8 million in relief to the drought-stricken Klamath region of Siskiyou and Modoc counties. The bill later achieved final passage in the Assembly and was sent to the governor.
AB 1637 establishes the Klamath River Water Crisis Economic Assistance and Mitigation Program. This was developed through the final 2001-2002 budget negotiations to provide financial assistance to the farms, businesses and community organizations suffering economically because of the lack of water in the Klamath Basin. Gov. Gray Davis declared the region a disaster area in May and the state provided $5 million to drill emergency wells to develop a supplemental water source for the region.
“The lack of water has created a tremendous economic strain on the Klamath region,” Johannessen said. “This legislation will give much-needed financial assistance to farmers, families, and community organizations. Not only are the people of that area facing a physical drought, but also an economic drought that will have a huge impact on the future existence and vitality of the region.”
Given the dire situation experienced by Klamath Basin communities, the 4-H
and FFA livestock auction at the Tulelake-Butte Valley Fair netted record
profits although only about half of the usual number of animals were sold.
Because of the water crisis, some youngsters opted not to raise animals for show
and sale. Many community residents made special efforts to drum up support for
the youth livestock auction, and many animals were sold numerous times to
benefit charities. Fair manager Cindy Wright said the auction raised $181,218,
about twice the amount it raises in a typical year. Wright said the average
price of $8.80 a pound for hogs was roughly three times normal. The average
price for market lambs approached $9 a pound.
Permission for use is granted, however, credit must be made to the California Farm Bureau Federation when reprinting this item.