If it’s not the KBRA, what is the plan?

Klamath Falls Herald and News

Letter to the Editor

May 12, 2010

There is a water crisis occurring in the Klamath Basin today. The lack of a Klamath Basin-wide long-term strategy to manage our water resources will leave family farms and ranches dry in Langell Valley, Henley, Klamath Falls, Midland, Malin, Merrill, and Tulelake.

The absence of strategic planning will pit irrigator against irrigator on the Wood, Williamson, Sprague and Sycan Rivers this summer. Hundreds of millions of dollars will be lost to the local economy. Thousands of jobs are in jeopardy.

There is a plan on the table to resolve conflicts for all who volunteer to participate it's the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement. In the two years since the KBRA began public review, no viable alternative plan has been introduced for public scrutiny by opponents of the KBRA.

There is no alternative plan that provides affordable power to irrigation, provides incentive to adjudicate water rights without litigation, improves fisheries, and protects electrical ratepayers. Opponents to the KBRA offer continued conflict and economic hardship without solution.

Real leadership is there representing us in settlements. Real leadership is planning for the future. Real leadership has vision, courage, and patience to work with all constituents to find solutions. John Elliott is real leadership.

Steve Kandra

Klamath Falls