About County Measure 18-80   

Klamath Falls Herald and News

October 3, 2010

   Klamath County voters will be faced with a ballot measure in November asking them whether they want the Klamath County Board of Commissioners to continue participating in the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement.

   Opponents of the KBRA asked the commissioners to place an advisory measure on the ballot to gauge public opinion about the agreement. Commissioners agreed to an advisory measure, but regardless of the outcome, the vote will not legally bind the commissioners.

   County Measure 18-80, reads as follows: “Should Klamath County, one of the parties to the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement (KBRA) discontinue its participation in the agreement?”     

   A “yes” vote would advise officials to stop participating in the KBRA. A “no” vote would advise officials to stay at the negotiating table.

   Proponents of the measure are largely, for one reason or another, against the KBRA and/or a related dam removal agreement. Opponents of the measure are supporters of the agreements and/or those who believe that commissioners should stay involved whether or not they approve of the agreements.  

   Commissioners signed onto the agreement, along with the governors of Oregon and California, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior and other stakeholder groups, in February. Decisions relating to the progression of the agreements from here on are largely out of local control.

   Voters in Siskiyou County will face a similar measure on their general election ballots in November. It also will be an advisory vote and won’t be legally binding regardless of the outcome.