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Off-Project
petition backs water plan
Fourteen
local irrigators sign petition supporting water agreement
By
TY BEAVER
H&N
Staff Writer
Several
irrigators off the Klamath Reclamation Project signed a petition in
support of the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement and the provisions it
provides for negotiating water issues above
Becky
Hyde, a Beatty rancher, delivered the petition Tuesday afternoon to the
Klamath County Boa rd of Commissioners.
The
document said those who signed it are optimistic about the process for a
comprehensive water settlement described in section 16 of the 256 -page
document and say that process should begin as soon as possible.
Supporters who signed the document say there’s a
need for more information and education to ensure that off-Project water
users fully understand the benefits the agreement provides.
“We’re just early in this process,” said Jim
Root, an off-Project water user on the
The proposal
Stakeholders released the proposed agreement Jan. 15
after two-and-a half years of negotiations. If approved, it would
allocate water in the
It also seeks removal of four hydroelectric dams on
the
Some off-Project water users strongly oppose the
agreement, saying it does not provide the protections and assurances for
water and affordable power that proponents say it does.
They’ve also criticized the provision that would
help the Klamath Tribes purchase 90,000 acres of private forestland in
the county, and say the Tribes would have no reason to continue water
negotiations after the agreement is signed.
Good
foundation
Hyde and Root feel otherwise. They see the agreement
as a good foundation from which to continue negotiating water issues
with the Tribes and others. The petition reflects that optimism.
“In general, we affirm our support for the
orientation and programs of the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement, as
well as the large amount of work put in by numerous parties to provide a
thoughtful approach for the economic and environmental interests of many
communities throughout the Klamath Basin,” it states.
Root said he attended a public hearing organized by
county commissioners Monday night, but had to leave before commenting.
He said many people commented on what they’d want for an ideal
situation when compromise is the realistic goal.
He convened a series of meetings at the Shilo Inn in
2003 to brainstorm how to allocate water in the region. The agreement
was conducted in that same spirit.
“ The fact that they developed a similar water
budget gives me some encou ragement,” Root said.
Resolution with tribes
Hyde said she isn’t completely pleased with every
aspect of the agreement, but believes it still provides an opportunity
for the off-Project irrigators to achieve resolution with the Tribes
regarding water right claims.
“We need to settle the issue first and then as
ranchers decide if it’s best for us,” she said.
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