He’s also communicating with federal officials, from Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., about what support from Washington, D.C., is available for the region to avoid what could be a year as catastrophic as the 2001 water crisis.
“I firmly believe that irrigators, tribes and other communities in the Basin understand the unavoidability of drought and its consequences,” Kulongoski said to Salazar in a letter sent Wednesday. “What they expect from their government is clear communication, timely decision-making, and a full effort to render appropriate assistance as soon as possible.”
Government officials and irrigators already have said it will be impossible to meet the full demand for water to irrigators and mandated river flows for endangered fish species.
Lake at record low
Upper Klamath Lake, the primary source for area irrigation water, is at its lowest level on record for this time of year. Precipitation and inflows into the lake are also below average.
Stakeholders from throughout the Basin signed the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement on Feb. 18. The document proposes to resolve disputes over water that came to a head in 2001 when irrigation water was shut off to protect endangered fish.
The document won’t be implemented for some time, though, as Congress has yet to provide funding and legislation. Studies on dam removal also are needed.
Mike Carrier, Kulongoski’s natural resources policy adviser, said part of the reason for the governor’s meeting with federal agencies next week is to find out if river flows can be adjusted in any way to keep the lake level from falling further.
“Unless we see significantly more precipitation, it’s just not going to be sustainable,” he said.
The governor also wants to have a dialogue with those in the Basin, though when and where a meeting would be is yet to be determined.
Coordination with local government is also ongoing. Klamath County Commissioner John Elliott said the commissioners’ office has been in daily contact with the governor’s staff. Carrier said a drought declaration request from county government is expected by March 10.
“The governor’s pledged that as soon as that is received he will act on it,” Carrier said.
Looking to groundwater
Oregon Water Resources Department has been tasked with finding out how much groundwater could be available and other state agencies, from housing to economic development, are preparing to provide whatever aid they can to the region.
Merkley’s office confirmed that the senator and governor have been discussing options for aid but could not comment on what those options were.
“I can say that Senator Merkley is going to turn over every rock to find solutions to help the farmers facing catastrophe,” said Julie Edwards, the senator’s spokeswoman.
Carrier said the one thing in everyone’s favor this time around is the relationships developed through crafting the restoration agreement. There are greater levels of trust and cooperation between the various communities, from irrigators and tribes to fishermen and environmentalists, who were bitter enemies in 2001.
“They’re all eager to prevent that from happening again,” Carrier said.
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