Project to improve sucker habitat at Hagelstein Park  

September 26, 2009

     Following are some notes on what’s going on in Klamath County government.

   Nearly $545,000 will be used to transform what looks like a pond at a park along Highway 97 and Upper Klamath Lake back into a stream to allow more water to go toward spawning grounds for the endangered sucker.

   The Klamath County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved an agreement with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the Klamath Tribes to conduct the Barkley Springs Restoration Project.

   Tom Crist, county parks director, said the project would change the pond at Hagelstein Park into more of a stream or creek as water is shifted to the fish habitat.

   “That’s what it was originally before the highway went in,” he said.

   The county will not contribute any funds to the project but will give the agencies and Tribes   access to the park and ensure it doesn’t disrupt the public’s access.

   Mental health looks to expand juvenile program

   The Klamath County Board of Commissioners has approved a request from the county’s mental health department to seek nearly $182,000 in grant funds to expand a program for youth with substance abuse problems.

   Colette Fleck, behavioral health program coordinator, told commissioners the program has shown promise but that better case management, coaching for parents and mental health screenings are needed to make it more successful.

   “Treatment alone isn’t enough,” she said.

   The grant funds, which would come from the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission, would allow the department to hire another full-time staffer to work on treatment and create more counselor positions. They also would contract for parent coaching and screenings.