Grant to restore Basin watershed

By STEVE KADEL

H&N Staff Writer

August 27, 2007  

   Ducks Unlimited received a $789,563 federal grant to help restore the Upper Klamath Basin watershed. 

   The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant will fund nine projects aimed at improving habitat and water quality. The goal is to benefit water quality in Upper Klamath Lake . 

   Mike Shannon, Klamath Falls , regional biologist for Ducks Unlimited, emphasized the program is a cooperative venture between federal and private groups. 

   “All of us got together and looked at wetland and water quality issues in the Basin,” he said. “None of it would go anywhere without the partnership aspect.” 

   Groups involved in the project include The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Klamath Watershed Council, Klamath Basin Ecosystem Foundation, and

Klamath Basin Rangeland Trust. 

   ‘Critical area’ 

   “This grant recognizes Ducks Unlimited’s commitment to improve the Upper Klamath watershed,” said Tom Dwyer, DU’s director of conservation programs in Vancouver , Wash. “The Klamath River watershed is a critical area for migrating mallards, pintails and canvasbacks. We plan on continuing our work to improve the area for the benefit of waterfowl and people.” 

   Bevin Reid of the Seattle EPA office said there were 130 applications for the agency’s Targeted Watersheds grants. Only 16 programs were funded, including the Klamath Basin application. 

   Reid said the nine Klamath restoration and enhancement projects include the Williamson River delta wetlands restoration led by The Nature Conservancy, the Agency Lake-fringe wetlands restoration led by Klamath Basin Rangeland Trust, the C7 Ranch treatment wetland led by Ducks Unlimited, the Shady Pine treatment wetlands led by Ducks Unlimited, and Tule Smoke wetland restoration led by Ducks Unlimited.

Other projects funded 

   Other projects getting funding are the Harris Ranch riparian habitat management led by Klamath Basin Ecosystem Foundation, Sprague River riparian and wetland restoration led by Klamath Basin Rangeland Trust, Jackson Creek habitat connectivity and enhancement led by Klamath Basin Ecosystem Foundation, and Chiloquin Dam removal led by Klamath Watershed Council and the Bureau of Reclamation. 

   Shannon of Ducks Unlimited said the projects may only take a year to complete, but full benefits won’t be realized for four or five years. He said steps being taken address specific recommendations in the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Upper Klamath Lake Maximu Daily Load and Water Quality Plan. 

   ‘Cumulative impact’ 

   “You look at the cumulative impact when you do a whole string of improvements,” Shannon said.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, any copyrighted
material  herein is distributed without profit or payment to those who have
expressed  a  prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit
research and  educational purposes only. For more information go to:http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml

Source:  http://pioneer.olivesoftware.com/Daily/Skins/heraldandnews/

navigator.asp?skin=heraldandnews