Study Basin settlement proposal, ask questions

January 17, 2008

Klamath Falls Herald and News Editorial  

    The Klamath Basin water settlement proposal is public and, while it is properly being seen as an historic step, it is not a done deal.

    There is opposition and questions that need answers.

    Right now, the biggest effort should be educational. People need to inform themselves. If they were represented at the meetings, they should talk to their representatives.

    The “deal,” which includes removal of four PacifiCorp dams, doesn’t have buy-in yet from PacifiCorp, which has to sign on to make things work. There is also opposition among the irrigators in the Upper Klamath Basin who are not part of the Klamath Reclamation Project. Others are likely to object, given the complexity and scope of the proposal. People are being asked to give something up in order to get something else. One thing the proposal doesn’t do is create more water.

     Almost all of those directly affected by the proposal didn’t see it or know much about it until Tuesday or Wednesday. They’re still trying to digest it.

    Twenty-six representatives were involved in two years of confidential talks, and 24 agreed to sign on to make the proposal public and take it back to the groups they represent. That’s where the process is now.

    Among those 24 groups were the Klamath Basin Water Users Association, which represents irrigators in the 240,000-acre Klamath Reclamation Project; the Klamath Tribes, Klamath County , Siskiyou County , federal and state agencies, and environmental and fishing organizations.

    Not signing the agreement were the Hoopa Indian Tribe in the Lower Klamath Basin and Edward Bartell, president of the Klamath Off-Project Water Users in Klamath County .

    This is a big, complicated document, with many ramifications, dealing with water supply, irrigation power rates, refuges, reintroduction of fish species and improved fish habitat.

    Study it, and ask lots of questions.

    Copies of the 256-page document are available at www.edsheets.com/Klamathdocs.html. 

    Pat Bushey wrote today’s editorial.

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Source:  http://www.heraldandnews.com/articles/2008/01/17/viewpoints/

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