These people did not have their water shut off in 2001 and did not face the financial hardship and, in some cases, ruin and emotional stress that those of us in the Klamath Project did. For them, it was business as usual. Now they are willing to place their own interests first, regardless of consequences to others.
I know people who spent countless frustrating hours working to create a document that would be acceptable to all and would keep all communities within the Klamath watershed intact. I have yet to hear any of them say it is perfect, but rather a compromise.
I, too, can find things I don't really like, but it is much better than returning to endless lawsuits, where only lawyers win, the constant conflict between communities and the uncertainty of whether there will be water deliveries.
In fact, the Karuk Tribe did a study and found that, had the KBRA been in effect this past winter, there would have been plenty of water for fish and we would have plenty of water for irrigation this summer.
For those of you who oppose the KBRA and work to destroy irrigated agriculture in the Klamath Basin and a large part of the economy, remember there is much more to the agreement than dam removal. To solve problems within the watershed, I suggest you develop a better plan.
Until then, I will support the KBRA and give a heartfelt thanks to those who worked so hard to develop the document.
Dick Carleton
Merrill
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