Ranching Forever in Off Project

By Becky Hyde

October 26, 2009

When my mother-in-law Gerda settled our water rights at Yamsi on the Upper Williamson she had a lunch celebration in the old ranch dining room with tribal council. This settlement represented such a relief to our family.

But, our ranch in Beatty is not very secure. Ten-cent power for irrigation pumping will shut us down. Endangered Suckers and Red Band trout have forever changed the way we do business. We have very junior 1950 water rights on part of the ranch, making us vulnerable if the Klamath tribes prevail on their claims, and also vulnerable to the Klamath Project irrigators. This has left me sleepless many nights, and I know other families are worried as well. We want our children and our neighbors’ children to have the opportunity to ranch, and maintain our way of life.

Upper Klamath Water Users Association—Underdogs Working Hard

Upper Klamath Water Users Association formed over a year ago to ensure that all upper basin irrigators could work toward the stability like our family at Yamsi experienced. The UKWUA board and members want to have the best terms possible for water security, regulatory assurances, and affordable power delivery.

Each of our board members’ ranch or farm in the off project, and are devoted to agriculture. UKWUA came late to the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement settlement table, and so we are playing serious catch up and trying to pick up the pieces to secure benefits for the off project in that document.

Resource Conservancy—Bogged Down in Fear

There are at least seven other groups in the off project area: Resource Conservancy, Fort Klamath Critical Habitat, Sprague River Resource Foundation, Sprague River Water Users, Save the Family Farm, Water for Life, and Off Project Water Users/Off Project Power Users.

They take a different approach than UKWUA’s. They rely on endless, costly and often-poorly thought out litigation. They have a track record of mis-representing facts to further stir people’s fears. These organizations are mostly run by the exact same people.

You might ask Roger Nicholson, Tom Mallams and Doug Whitsett why they have so many groups. Is there clear transparency and accounting for where hard earned off project agricultural dollars are spent?

For years these groups have targeted anyone outside their core group who challenges their approach and logic to decision making. I’m the latest to draw the short straw.

For example, there is nothing threatening about the fact that our family has a conservation easement on our land that assures grazing. We understand lots of people don’t like easements—that’s okay with us. You don’t have to put one on your land. However, it is silly to say that our family is in a “real estate deal” or “consulting” relationship with the Klamath Tribes. Everyone in this basin knows a statement like that is only meant to build fear. The tribes act responsibly in their relation to us, in their roll as a land trust. If you’re curious about what a land trust is—please ask.

Together Lets Secure A Future For Off Project Ranching

It’s common knowledge that I do contract work for a non-profit called Sustainable Northwest, and that they have also helped UKWUA with grants and technical assistance. This helps not harms the off project. Sustainable Northwest has worked in places like Lake County—helping keep the mill open and develop biomass projects, and developing small diameter timber markets in Wallowa County.

There are no secrets here. Talk to me, or the UKWUA board if you’re nervous. We’re working to build stability for every family in the off project. Together we create the best solutions.

I grew up on a hardscrabble high desert ranch raised by parents that believed you had to take the problems that face ranching head on, and playing victim was not allowed. My very capable mother-in-law proved that you can make great wild plum jam, cook hamburgers for big crowds at the Klamath Bull Sale for 50 years, and create a water settlement too. Join us!

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