Gov. Ted Kulongoski:
Most importantly, he wants to help establish some certainty, so people know what to plan for. In line with that, he wanted panelists to address: economics of the drought, types of help they'd like to seek, and consequences down the road.
First time he was here, he said, he didn't feel like anyone heard what he said -- "They just wanted to know what side I was on." He didn't want to ever be in that situation again, he said. And it's different now.
He said he would go forward with the drought process of the KBRA, as far as he's empowered to enable it. He and his staff have weekly meetings on the Klamath Basin.
Dave Solem, manager of Klamath Irrigation District:
Asked that agencies concentrate on flexibility. There are so many interlocking parts to the picture. Don't lock into something, like in 2001, and then stick to it even though conditions change.
Dave Cacka, business owner and president of KID board of directors:
Sold business after water crisis in 2001, and quit farming potatoes. He hopes he still has potato packing operation to manage after this year. He wanted to press the importance of the agricultural economy on jobs. Hopes to see some help for displaced workers.
Rob Unruh, Malin-area irrigator:
Talked about the devastating effects of 2001, and not just to producers who went out of business. The whole town of Malin, for instance, lost businesses and its only grocery store closed. The shutoff caused financial ruin and a likely suicide. This year's water crisis would be worse, in a way, because of the terrible economy.
Donnie Boyd, owner of Floyd A Boyd Co.:
He said it was hard to not be emotional, because it was people and jobs and his business. Employees are already hurting because of the economy, he said. Used to be catering to row crop operations, but that changed after 2001. Now as a third party producer, he couldn't make it after a couple more years like that.
He said they most needed certainty. Doesn't want the overhead of a loan, but wouldn't be able to keep employees at work without help.
Bob Gasser, co-owner of Basin Fertilizer:
This water shut off is like the last, in that it shouldn't have happened. He cited faulty science that led to the 2001 incident. He asked: "We're at 70 percent water supply; why are our farmers at zero percent?"
Willie Riggs, executive director of Klamath Basin Research & Extension Center:
Worked to impress upon the governor and other visitors the size of the agriculture base and the ramifications that water shutoff could have. The governor mentioned the recession, and Riggs emphasized that there was already a 15 percent drop, statewide, in commodity sales due to the recession.
Jeff Mitchell, Klamath tribal council member:
He talked about community, and how the Tribes want to work with people. He talked about balancing resources to help each other through this. He said they should try to work the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement provisions ahead of time.
He mentioned the Tribes' First Fish Ceremony would be next week. Times are tough and the fisheries have long been hurt, but the KBRA and dam agreement promise long-term progress; this year shouldn't be allowed to jeopardize that.
Greg Addington, executive director of Klamath Water Users Association:
Emphasized the partnerships that have developed with the KBRA.
The great irony: We have 396 pages of a plan including how to address a water year just like this ... but we're stuck with old rules, he said.
He said they needed the governor to: make a drought declaration and promote the idea of flexibility.
Surface water is the Basin's No. 1 request and priority, he said. He asked that the governor work as a liaison with the federal government, and that he also lead the search for unused stimulus funds. (We have thousands of acres of "shovel ready projects," he said.)
Addington also suggested that provisions of the KBRA be put in place ahead of time. A farmer who supported the KBRA told him if the agreement was good for him 10, 20, 30 years from now; it's good for him right now.
Klamath County Commissioner John Elliott:
Unacceptable that the Klamath Project is the only stretch along the river to lose water. Need Long Lake and deep storage. That might not be considered cost effective, but is it cost effective or Klamath County to take the full hit?