I strongly oppose 18-80 because I personally do not want to live in an unhealthy community best known for years of constant conflict, endless lawsuits and neighbor-against-neighbor fights over water and natural resources.

   Because in the past we would not come together and find some agreement, federal judges and bureaucrats have determined our destiny. In that scenario, we all lost.

   A vote for 18-80 is a vote to keep this status quo: inadequate water for farmers, ranchers, refuges, fisherman, and tribes with each group fighting and suing over that water; an abysmal local economy with few jobs; and continued environmental decline with several endangered fish populations, the lowest waterfowl numbers on record, and a lake that resembles a cesspool.  

   The resulting low socioeconomic status and high personal stress has made us one of the unhealthiest counties in the whole state. Is this the community you want to live in? Well, it doesn’t have to be that way.

   The Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement was created because courageous individuals from diverse interest groups got tired of fighting and decided to come together to find a better way.

   They put down their differences and forged an agreement to fairly allocate our water resources and produce a blueprint for economic prosperity and environmental health for all Basin citizens.

   There may be parts of the KBRA you don’t like, but we as a community should support this heroic effort, stay involved with the process, and make it better.

   Keep your county commissioners at the table. Help build a community you will be proud to live in. Join me in voting no on 18-80.

   Karl Wenner

   Klamath Falls