Off-Project users discuss agreement       

January 29, 2010

CHILOQUIN — Between 30 and 40 irrigators from off the Klamath Reclamation Project met in Chiloquin Thursday to discuss the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement.

   Questions from those attending covered various aspects of the document. The meeting was organized by the Upper Klamath Water Users Association.

   One of the questions was: “What would happen if off-Project irrigators were unable to reach an agreement with the Klamath Tribes to retire 30,000 acre-feet of water?”

   Greg Corbin, an attorney for the Upper Klamath Water Users Association, said if that happened, off-Project irrigators would be without a settlement and could be subject to a water shutoff.

   Garrett Roseberry, a Sprague River irrigator, asked what motivation there was for the Tribes to bargain through the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement.

   Corbin said there’s still significant enough risk for the Tribes regarding water claims to seek a settlement. They also would need the cooperation of the off-Project community to fully realize their goal of restored fish habitat and fisheries.