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This Website is Dedicated to Alvin Alexander Cheyne January 10, 1921 - June 17, 2005 |
Restoration agreement has local support
It would let Basin live with change and help direct it
By 74 residents of the Klamath Basin
We are writing to you today as family
farmers, ranchers and members of the community who support
the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement.
We join the city councils of Merrill, Malin, Tulelake, Chiloquin, the Klamath Water Users Association, and the 12 local irrigation districts that have voted to support the agreement. They and many others recognize the importance and the necessity of collaboration and compromise in order to address the needs and interests that exist throughout the Basin over the long term.
Stability is essential with respect to water allocation in the entire Klamath Basin. The work that has been done on the restoration agreement will help lead the way to establish that stability for agriculture, the economy of our rural communities, and abundant wildlife resources. This agreement takes necessary steps to comply with federal and state laws that have been passed since the Klamath River Basin Compact was consented to by Congress in 1957. It addresses issues that the founders of the Compact could not have foreseen such as additional storage and safe harbor from reintroduction of salmon species.
We join the city councils of Merrill, Malin, Tulelake, Chiloquin, the Klamath Water Users Association, and the 12 local irrigation districts that have voted to support the agreement. They and many others recognize the importance and the necessity of collaboration and compromise in order to address the needs and interests that exist throughout the Basin over the long term.
Stability is essential with respect to water allocation in the entire Klamath Basin. The work that has been done on the restoration agreement will help lead the way to establish that stability for agriculture, the economy of our rural communities, and abundant wildlife resources. This agreement takes necessary steps to comply with federal and state laws that have been passed since the Klamath River Basin Compact was consented to by Congress in 1957. It addresses issues that the founders of the Compact could not have foreseen such as additional storage and safe harbor from reintroduction of salmon species.
Allows us to plan direction
The restoration agreement will allow us to
not only live with inevitable changes, but to define and be
part of the direction of these changes. The alternative is
continuing to be embroiled in controversy and expensive
litigation with undesirable results for all interests.
Many of us experienced anguish and hardship when our century-old water supply was abruptly cut in 2001, and we have barely escaped similar shutdowns in recent years. We believe that anyone that makes his or her home in the Klamath Basin does not want to cope with that type of instability again. The restoration agreement provides an opportunity to build bridges between the communities that are connected by the thread of the Klamath River.
In talking with neighbors, we have heard questions about supporting an agreement that still has loose ends. It is true that some issues are still in negotiation, most notably the hydropower agreement that at the moment is being worked on by state and federal governments along with PacifiCorp.
We don’t have a voice in deciding what is in the best interest of a private utility and its ratepayers, nor do we necessarily think we should, with the exception that we too are PacifiCorp ratepayers. Regardless of what we think, the dams on the Klamath River depend on profitability for the owner and stockholders of PacifiCorp.
It is our position to continue to support the restoration agreement because it is a realistic and politically viable alternative. We have faith in the process and believe that working together will always yield better results than wasting time and money on litigation.
We believe in conservation. This includes water conservation and wildlife conservation. Klamath farmers and ranchers are becoming model stewards of the land, as evidenced by their willingness to be proactive and work with people within the watershed, including the refuges. We share frustration that we are stereotyped and that many outsiders do not understand the incredible relationship between agriculture and wildlife in this Basin, or the respect we have for wildlife resources. Still, we support doing more.
Skepticism remains towards the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and particularly the National Marine Fisheries Service as it continues its traditional regulatory approach under the Endangered Species Act. As an example, we were stunned to read the suggestion that the Klamath Project should consult under the Endangered Species Act for effects it may have on killer whales. Regulatory implementation of the act impedes cooperation and creates problems; it does not solve them.
We will continue to work towards solutions, seeking new partners, and seek to work in cooperation, not litigation. Federal and state agencies were active promoters of the agreement process as a means to achieve a more holistic and secure future for everyone in this Basin. We must hope that they truly understand that regulatory hammers do not work, and will without doubt, divide us again.
A balanced approach with respect to implementation and enforcement of the Endangered Species Act needs to take hold and focus on working with landowners as partners, not adversaries. With this new direction, the value of the fertile lands of the entire Klamath Basin can be realized for everyone’s benefit.
Many of us experienced anguish and hardship when our century-old water supply was abruptly cut in 2001, and we have barely escaped similar shutdowns in recent years. We believe that anyone that makes his or her home in the Klamath Basin does not want to cope with that type of instability again. The restoration agreement provides an opportunity to build bridges between the communities that are connected by the thread of the Klamath River.
In talking with neighbors, we have heard questions about supporting an agreement that still has loose ends. It is true that some issues are still in negotiation, most notably the hydropower agreement that at the moment is being worked on by state and federal governments along with PacifiCorp.
We don’t have a voice in deciding what is in the best interest of a private utility and its ratepayers, nor do we necessarily think we should, with the exception that we too are PacifiCorp ratepayers. Regardless of what we think, the dams on the Klamath River depend on profitability for the owner and stockholders of PacifiCorp.
It is our position to continue to support the restoration agreement because it is a realistic and politically viable alternative. We have faith in the process and believe that working together will always yield better results than wasting time and money on litigation.
We believe in conservation. This includes water conservation and wildlife conservation. Klamath farmers and ranchers are becoming model stewards of the land, as evidenced by their willingness to be proactive and work with people within the watershed, including the refuges. We share frustration that we are stereotyped and that many outsiders do not understand the incredible relationship between agriculture and wildlife in this Basin, or the respect we have for wildlife resources. Still, we support doing more.
Skepticism remains towards the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and particularly the National Marine Fisheries Service as it continues its traditional regulatory approach under the Endangered Species Act. As an example, we were stunned to read the suggestion that the Klamath Project should consult under the Endangered Species Act for effects it may have on killer whales. Regulatory implementation of the act impedes cooperation and creates problems; it does not solve them.
We will continue to work towards solutions, seeking new partners, and seek to work in cooperation, not litigation. Federal and state agencies were active promoters of the agreement process as a means to achieve a more holistic and secure future for everyone in this Basin. We must hope that they truly understand that regulatory hammers do not work, and will without doubt, divide us again.
A balanced approach with respect to implementation and enforcement of the Endangered Species Act needs to take hold and focus on working with landowners as partners, not adversaries. With this new direction, the value of the fertile lands of the entire Klamath Basin can be realized for everyone’s benefit.
$500 million, but relief lacking
In the past seven years, there has been investment of over $500 million into the Klamath River watershed, the majority from federal funding, but we have yet to see meaningful regulatory relief.
With the proposed action in the restoration agreement we would redirect this funding away from the random acts of restoration we have seen in the past and toward a focused watershed wide approach. We believe this proposed settlement sets out a new course, one of successful collaboration and long lasting prosperity for all Klamath Basin communities. It won’t be perfect. It will just be much better than the alternatives.
Don’t think because you no longer hear the rally cry of community support that a “silent” majority isn’t embracing the restoration agreement. Hear us loud and clear: we support the agreement and we will continue to move forward seeking improvements for the success of future generations.
Signing the commentary
Lucky Ackley, Calif., John Adair, Calif., Greg Addington, Ore., Frank Anderson, Calif., Ramon Ayala, Ore., Ed Bair, Ore., Craig Bettendorff, Calif., Monte Brollier, Ore., Dick Carleton, Ore., Greg Carleton, Ore., Jim Carleton, Ore., Dan Chin, Ore., J.W. Cope, Ore., John Crawford, Calif., Robert Crawford, Calif., Earl Danosky, Calif., Jessica DuBose, Ore., Dennis Fanning, Calif., Robert Fensler, Calif.
Ron Fensler, Calif., Craig Fleck, Ore., Clint Hall, Calif., Clinton Hall, Calif., Kristine Hartman, Ore., Gerald Haskins, Calif., J.E. Havlina, Calif., Diane Haynes, Calif., Bill Heiney, Calif., Rhonda Hemphill, Calif., Sam Henzel, Ore., Candace Horsley, Ore., Luther Horsley, Ore., Debora Huffman, Calif., Judy Huffman, Calif., Matt Huffman, Calif., Otto Huffman, Calif.
Ryan Huffman, Calif., Chris Kandra, Ore., Steve Kandra, Ore., Dan Keppen, Ore., David King, Ore., Donald Kirby, Calif., Rocky Liskey, Ore., Tracey Liskey, Ore., Lynn Long, Ore., Rick Lyon, Ore., Chris Matthews, Ore., Lee McKoen, Ore., Mike McKoen, Ore., Tom Nonella, Ore., Mike Noonan, Ore., Tim O’Connor, Ore.
Steven Parkinson, Ore., Tim Parks, Ore., Grace Phillips, Calif., Gerald Pyle, Ore., Luke Robison, Ore., Scott Seus, Calif., Dave Solem, Ore., Ed Staunton, Calif., Sid Staunton, Calif., Belinda Stewart, Ore., Tom Stewart, Calif., Mark Trotman, Ore., Cory Turner, Ore., Michael Ugalde, Ore., Cheri Unruh, Ore., Rob Unruh, Ore., John Walker, Ore., William Walker, Ore., Gary Wright, Calif., Heath Wright, Calif., Roy Wright, Calif., Verna Wright, Calif..
In the past seven years, there has been investment of over $500 million into the Klamath River watershed, the majority from federal funding, but we have yet to see meaningful regulatory relief.
With the proposed action in the restoration agreement we would redirect this funding away from the random acts of restoration we have seen in the past and toward a focused watershed wide approach. We believe this proposed settlement sets out a new course, one of successful collaboration and long lasting prosperity for all Klamath Basin communities. It won’t be perfect. It will just be much better than the alternatives.
Don’t think because you no longer hear the rally cry of community support that a “silent” majority isn’t embracing the restoration agreement. Hear us loud and clear: we support the agreement and we will continue to move forward seeking improvements for the success of future generations.
Signing the commentary
Lucky Ackley, Calif., John Adair, Calif., Greg Addington, Ore., Frank Anderson, Calif., Ramon Ayala, Ore., Ed Bair, Ore., Craig Bettendorff, Calif., Monte Brollier, Ore., Dick Carleton, Ore., Greg Carleton, Ore., Jim Carleton, Ore., Dan Chin, Ore., J.W. Cope, Ore., John Crawford, Calif., Robert Crawford, Calif., Earl Danosky, Calif., Jessica DuBose, Ore., Dennis Fanning, Calif., Robert Fensler, Calif.
Ron Fensler, Calif., Craig Fleck, Ore., Clint Hall, Calif., Clinton Hall, Calif., Kristine Hartman, Ore., Gerald Haskins, Calif., J.E. Havlina, Calif., Diane Haynes, Calif., Bill Heiney, Calif., Rhonda Hemphill, Calif., Sam Henzel, Ore., Candace Horsley, Ore., Luther Horsley, Ore., Debora Huffman, Calif., Judy Huffman, Calif., Matt Huffman, Calif., Otto Huffman, Calif.
Ryan Huffman, Calif., Chris Kandra, Ore., Steve Kandra, Ore., Dan Keppen, Ore., David King, Ore., Donald Kirby, Calif., Rocky Liskey, Ore., Tracey Liskey, Ore., Lynn Long, Ore., Rick Lyon, Ore., Chris Matthews, Ore., Lee McKoen, Ore., Mike McKoen, Ore., Tom Nonella, Ore., Mike Noonan, Ore., Tim O’Connor, Ore.
Steven Parkinson, Ore., Tim Parks, Ore., Grace Phillips, Calif., Gerald Pyle, Ore., Luke Robison, Ore., Scott Seus, Calif., Dave Solem, Ore., Ed Staunton, Calif., Sid Staunton, Calif., Belinda Stewart, Ore., Tom Stewart, Calif., Mark Trotman, Ore., Cory Turner, Ore., Michael Ugalde, Ore., Cheri Unruh, Ore., Rob Unruh, Ore., John Walker, Ore., William Walker, Ore., Gary Wright, Calif., Heath Wright, Calif., Roy Wright, Calif., Verna Wright, Calif..
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Source:
http://www.heraldandnews.com/articles/2008/10/26/viewpoints/op-ed/doc490415163e067921805851.txt