Opponents now proponents

Environmental consultants are now in favor of the 

Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement  

By TY BEAVER

H&N Staff Writer

May 16, 2008

   Two environmental consultants who opposed the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement reversed their positions after meeting with stakeholders. 

   A press release from the Karuk Tribe said Thomas Hardy and Greg Kamman, consultants with the North Coast Environmental Center , changed their stance after participating in a science workshop hosted by supporters. 

   Craig Tucker of the Karuk Tribe said the meeting in early April was part of a continuing effort to bring more organizations and groups on board. 

   ‘Legitimate concerns’ 

   “These guys have legitimate concerns, and we want to know what they are,” he said. 

   The Arcata, Calif.-based environmental center came out in opposition to the agreement in March, based on recommendations from its consultants that the document didn’t provide enough assurances for sustaining fish. Kamman and Hardy were two of those consultants. 

   Greg King, NEC executive director, said his organization stands by its opposition to the agreement, but its board would discuss the issue at a meeting next week. 

   Steve Kandra, board member with Klamath Water Users Association, said it’s significant that people and organizations are going back to look at the agreement and meet with proponents. 

   ‘Knee-jerk reactions’ 

   "They’re getting over their knee-jerk reactions,” he said. 

   Representatives of agricultural, environmental, tribal, fishing and government interests spent twoand-a-half years in closed-door meetings crafting the 256-page document. 

   Released Jan. 15, the agreement calls for a variety of projects and actions to allocate water between Basin communities, including dam removal. 

   Funds to help pay for purchase of private land for the Klamath Tribes and establishment of a stable power rate for irrigators also are included.

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