Klamath Chairman Reaffirms Commitment to protect fish; criticizes USFWS 

KLAMATH TRIBES OF OREGON PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- July 26, 2007

More information contact: Klamath Tribal Chairman, Joe Kirk 541-783-2219 ext. 100
Klamath Tribal Councilman, Jeff C. Mitchell, 541-891-5971

Klamath Tribes' Chairman Joe Kirk today reaffirmed the Tribes' commitment to protect Lost River and shortnose suckers, in light of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's announcement of its 5-year status review of the fish.  "The review confirms that the fish continue to need significant protection, and the Tribes will maintain their efforts to recover these species and others in the Basin.  We will review the Service's document and determine what the appropriate next steps are."

His comments came after the Service announced it will "downlist" the Lost River sucker to "threatened" status while retaining "endangered" status for the shortnose sucker.  Both species of fish are of enormous importance to the physical and spiritual well-being of the Tribes.  The Tribes used to harvest tens of thousands of pounds of the fish, but now must restrict themselves to two fish a year for ceremonial purposes.  The Service refused to meet with the Tribes to directly discuss the downlisting.

Chairman Kirk shared the Tribes' hands-on experience with the fisheries.  "We have not seen significant recovery of any fisheries, and the Service is correct to retain the legal protections.  In fact, it should have continued both species as endangered."

The Chairman expressed disappointment in the Service's handling of the matter.  "To have something of this importance dropped on us without consultation while we are trying to settle Basin resource issues is a disservice to everyone," he said.  The Tribes are in delicate settlement talks with more than 20 other Basin water, agricultural and other interests.  "The Service's announcement, and the method the Service chose, could prove disruptive.  It did not need to be this way," he said.

Tribal Councilman and Member of the Basin-wide Settlement Team, Jeff Mitchell adds, "The Klamath Tribes probably wish more then any other entity, the full recovery of these fish so we may once again enjoy this life giving resource to help meet our peoples needs, but, we must be fully assured and certain that these fish are in-deed ready to move from their current status to one that allows the Tribes to fully enjoy this Treaty reserved resource once again."  

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Source:  http://www.klamathtribes.org/press_release_July262007.html