Anti-dam removal group to host water forum  

     BEATTY — A group opposed to Klamath River dam removal and a proposed water settlement deal is hosting an informal forum Saturday on water issues.

   The “Waterless Tea Party” will be at 1 p.m. at Patton’s Spring Creek Ranch near Beatty. 

   Garrett Roseberry, a Sprague River Valley rancher and president of the Sprague River Water Resource Foundation, said a free tri-tip barbecue would be served. Donations will be accepted to help ongoing legal costs involving water issues.

   Asking questions

   Roseberry said the gathering is intended to provide a place for people to ask questions about power rates, dam removal and the ongoing Klamath Basin water adjudication process.

   State Sen. Doug Whitsett, off-Project water user

   Tom Mallams and others will be available to give presentations and answer questions.

   The event is sponsored by the Sprague River Water Resource Foundation and the Resource Conservancy, a Fort Klamath-based group of ranchers and farmers. Most members of both groups are off the Klamath Reclamation Project.  

   Whitsett said he was asked by the groups to discuss the Klamath Basin water adjudication process.

   If the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement is approved, it could resolve some of the water rights issues involved in the adjudication process, Whitsett said.

   The Oregon Water Resources Department has indicated that many of the contested water rights have been settled, but he believes many disputes are still unresolved. When completed, the adjudication process will determine water rights for the Klamath Tribes, irrigators and others.

   “It’s a complicated process, but it’s one that’s worked over the past 100 years,” he said.

   After water rights issues are determined, people can contest decisions and ongoing legal challenges are possible.

   “I’m speaking because I was invited,” Whitsett said of participating at Saturday’s gathering. “I’m open to speaking with any group at any time.”

   Patton’s Spring Creek Ranch is at 44228 Highway 140 East and can be reached by turning at the power station a mile east of Beatty.