Lawmakers remain concerned about deal      

February 19, 2010 

Garrard                   Whitsett                  Gilman

   State Rep. Bill Garrard, R-Klamath Falls, opposes the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement, but that didn’t keep him from being invited to Thursday’s signing of the document.

   Garrard says dam removal leaves too many unanswered questions, and there isn’t yet evidence it would be feasible.

   But he said his invitation to the ceremony, compliments of Becky Hyde, board member of Upper Klamath Water Users Association, is an example of how the Basin needs to move forward.  

   “This is what it’s all about; we have to come together,” he said.

   Garrard said while he has other concerns, dam removal is the top one. That could change, though, if dam removal studies required by the restoration agreement come back with positive results. “Once there are studies that affirm it, I’d reevaluate my position,” he said.

   Other views

   Garrard isn’t the only local lawmaker with reservations about the restoration agreement. State Sen. Doug Whitsett, R-Klamath Falls, did not attend the ceremony, but said Thursday he would consider any legislation in regard to the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement.

   He said he had problems with the document and said a poll paid for by Klamath County’s three state lawmakers indicated most constituents did not support it.

   State Rep. George Gilman, R-Medford, said he’d do anything in his power to stall the document, including supporting lawsuits against it. He did not attend the ceremony.