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Sustainable Northwest builds on
collaborative efforts
It’s working with Basin Tribes,
agricultural and environmental leaders for win-win solutions
By
JAMES HONEY
Guest Writer
Klamath Falls Herald and News
November 8, 2009
In 2001 when Sustainable Northwest was
invited to work in the Klamath Basin, the water conflicts were
raging, conflict was everywhere, and the potential for anything
better seemed remote.
Why would someone from Portland, raised in big cities, want
to work in the Klamath Basin?
Growing up, I learned my love for the land in part from farm
kids in the Central Valley. And in previous jobs I had seen the
limitations of environmentalism that dismisses rural people.
I joined Sustainable Northwest because of our mission to
partner with rural communities and businesses to achieve
economic, social, and ecological sustainability. I knew that in
Lake County Sustainable Northwest had successfully used a
different approach to conflict. Committed local leaders, with
Sustainable Northwest’s assistance, had re-authorized the
Lakeview Sustained Yield Unit, helped keep the Collins mill open
and paved the way for biomass projects in the area.
Working together brings answers
When Sustainable Northwest came to the Basin, we had no
answers, but we knew that solutions would come from similar
activities: ranchers, Indians, conservation groups and agencies
working together.
At first, we learned at the Hydes’ ranch in Beatty. With
neighbors, the Klamath Tribes and outside resources, we
demonstrated with monitoring what many ranchers felt
intuitively: That cows and creeks are not mutually exclusive.
That some funding must be available to effectively restore fish
and wildlife on ranches that face extremely tight operating
margins. That regardless of history, it is possible for tribal
and agricultural interests to work together respectfully.
In 2004 and 2005, we helped organize informal “living room”
conversations between a number of tribal and agricultural folks
in the Basin.
The question was whether the dam relicensing – which was
going to significantly change things in the Basin no matter what
– could be complemented so that it would help local communities
and the fisheries.
As the “official” settlement process matured, it started to
show potential: To create a workable balance of water between
farming and fish; to address power needs for Basin agriculture
and economic needs for tribal communities; and to achieve better
habitat restoration and regulatory assurances for agriculture.
We upped our commitment.
Sustainable Northwest has used its time, funds, and
technical resources to support tribal, agricultural and
environmental leaders who are committed to win-win outcomes in
the Basin.
It has made sense to invest in capable lawyers to help
off-Project folks wanting to settle, to study biomass generation
opportunities, and to support individuals to have the time to
contribute solutions to the negotiations.
Over eight years, I have spent months away from my family
and friends traveling to the Basin. Driving back and forth,
eating more Oakridge fast food than I care to remember, I’ve
repeatedly asked myself questions that everyone should be asking
about this settlement: Is there a better alternative? One that
can actually be implemented? One that breaks the political and
legal deadlock? One that works for farms and fish?
I have also thought about the many cups of coffee I’ve
shared with local people in their homes.
Lack of action would be wrong
We don’t all agree today, but I strongly believe that a
“no-action” alternative at this point would be an irresponsible
waste of the incredible effort and practical solutions
identified by pragmatic leaders in and outside the Basin.
Sustainable Northwest’s entire board of directors and staff
is proud to be a part of this hard work. The stories about the
Klamath and its crises don’t ring as true anymore. Now, Klamath
is telling a story about leadership in the West.
About the author
James Honey lives in Portland and is a program director for
Sustainable Northwest, a non-profit organization. According to
its Web site, the organization was established in 1994 and seeks
collaborative, community-based solutions by bringing together
“multiple, often opposing sides of an issue.”
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NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, any
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material herein is distributed without profit or payment to
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expressed a prior interest in receiving this information
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research and educational purposes only. For more
information go to:
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