'Letter to the Editor

September 14, 2010

   First, we need water storage. Sixty years ago, knowledgeable people who knew about our local situation — such as engineers, conservationists, irrigators and scientists — said that storage had been studied to death and it was time to get storage built now.

   What have we been doing all these years? It will take time to get the storage and to get it filled enough to be helpful. Why should we wait many years while we disagree?

   Second, we had better get behind some plan now. Where were we when the Klamath River Compact was ignored and lost place in decisions? We need to fight the Endangered Species Act harder. Instead of complaining, let’s work to get something accepted now.  

   I do not see the need for dams to be removed, but is that important enough to keep us from supporting the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement? I agree that non-Project irrigators should have received more consideration. No adjustments have been made. No one has talked adjustments. Why?

   All of us who would like perfection should admit that nothing is perfect. The KBRA is not perfect, but it is the only plan we have. Let’s try to work with it.   If you have a better plan, come up with it right now. Just remember, nothing is perfect. Blaming the commissioners because they don’t support your point of view is odd since we had 60 years to make the last plan work and to get storage and we just sat without action. Are we good only at complaining? Can’t we get behind anything that might help? We need help right now.

   Ann Fairclo

   Klamath Falls