Questions and Answers about the water settlement

By Ty Beaver

H&N's Staff Writer

January 27, 2008

   Q: I’m very concerned about the integrity of this settlement as it’s not a question of whether we’ll be sued, but when. Is this a sign that the other groups will stand with us? 

   A: Troy Fletcher of the Yurok Tribe said no one can promise that other groups outside the agreement — other tribes, environmentalists, etc. — won’t sue because of the agreement. But, he said, the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement binds the settlement groups together and makes them responsible for the future of the agreement, making those lawsuits less likely and hopefully less successful.  

   “I can’t tell you someone won’t sue but I can tell you we’re in it for the long haul,” he said. 

   Q: My family was some of the original homesteaders here and water was critically important to them. What assurances are there that water and affordable power will continue? 

   A: Greg Addington, executive director of Klamath Water Users Association, said his organization wants to sustain agriculture as part of the local culture and community. If events continue as they are, that may not be possible. The agreement provides the best option of sustaining agriculture in the Basin, he said.  

   Q: How did the 2006 salmon smolt trials in Upper Klamath Lake go and when will we see a report? 

   A: The 2006 study consisted of putting juvenile salmon in pens in Upper Klamath Lake and the mouth of the Williamson River . Most of the fish survived and made the physical changes necessary for migration. 

   “But that’s only one small part of the equation,” said Phil Detrich with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Yreka , Calif.  

   The report is expected to be available in the coming weeks. 

   Q: Why wasn’t the Trinity River included in the agreement? 

   A: The U.S. Department of the Interior is already conducting a restoration plan on the Trinity River , Fletcher said. Also, most salmon, rather than go up the Trinity River , continue to migrate up the Klamath River toward Iron Gate Dam. This means that more water is needed above the point where the Trinity River joins with the Klamath River to meet the needs of juvenile fish, Fletcher said. 

   The Yurok Tribe also is conducting estuary restoration to further help salmon habitat needs. 

   Q: What will be the effects on endangered bull trout in Upper Klamath Lake from this agreement? 

   A: The effects aren’t entirely known but Rodger Smith of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said any effect would likely be beneficial. Bull trout populations have declined since salmon were removed from their habitat, indicating they do benefit each other. Other reintroduction projects involving other trout and salmon have shown success at supporting both species’ populations. 

   Q: How much silt will go down the Klamath River without the four hydroelectric dams? 

   A: Not much, Fletcher said. Initial studies conducted in conjunction with the state of California show that not much silt has built up behind the dams, equivalent to about 550 cubic yards. Breaching the dams in the winter could further reduce the effects. 

   Fletcher said the silt buildup also was tested for toxins and no problems were discovered.

   Q: The Endangered Species Act and biological opinions will still be in place even with the agreement. Will irrigation water still be at risk? 

   A: The outcomes of a biological opinion cannot be judged, Detrich said. The agreement will reduce the pressures of biological opinions and provides some protections from the Endangered Species Act. However, Detrich said he couldn’t guarantee that irrigation supplies would never be called on again to supplement river and lake levels. 
  

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