Water settlement

Natural resource council supports more negotiation

By Ty Beaver

H&N's Staff Writer

February 23, 2008

   The Klamath County Natural Resources Advisory Council voted Thursday to support continued negotiations among stakeholders in the proposed Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement. 

    Klamath County commissioners are trying to coordinate facilitated meetings between irrigators and the Klamath Tribes to discuss issues surrounding the 256-page document. 

   “We encourage a professionally run program that will result in a positive outcome,” the council’s motion said. 

   Stakeholders released the proposed agreement Jan. 15 after two-and a-half years of negotiations. If approved, it would allocate water in the Klamath River watershed among irrigators, tribes, fishermen and conservationists. It also seeks removal of four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River owned by Portland-based PacifiCorp. 

   The council provides recommendations on the county’s natural resource policies to the commissioners. 

   The council discussed the agreement during its January meeting, days after it was released. The meeting included presentations on the agreement from various groups. Committee members asked questions, but did not take any action. 

   Lani Hickey, liaison between the council and county government officials, said the motion was made after continued discussion on the agreement. 

   A phone call to council chairwoman Andrea Rabe was not immediately returned.

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