Tell Congress to Investigate White House Meddling in Klamath Science

Americans expect our government to make decisions about the survival of fish and wildlife based on science. But in the drought-plagued Klamath Basin , science has long taken a back seat to political favoritism. Under the Bush administration, fish and wildlife ended up high and dry while powerful agribusiness groups ended up with the water.

But those days could be coming to an end – with your help. Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, has announced he will hold hearings to investigate reports that Vice President Dick Cheney personally intervened to overturn fish restoration efforts in the Klamath Basin , sending scarce water to irrigation interests instead of fish, despite the objections of scientists. That action led to a massive fish kill that claimed more than 70,000 Klamath River salmon in 2002, a catastrophe that led to fishing restrictions that have devastated Native American tribes and both Oregon's and California's commercial salmon industry.

Background

A recent Washington Post investigation uncovered Cheney's role in the Klamath tragedy, finding that he personally called natural resources managers to demand that they cut water for salmon during a drought year to favor agribusiness interests. According to the Post, Cheney wanted to reward political allies and help Republican Sen. Gordon Smith win re-election in Oregon . His meddling resulted in 2002’s massive adult salmon kill that claimed many endangered Klamath coho salmon, as well as some 70,000 non-endangered chinook salmon – the backbone of Oregon and California ’s salmon industry. This was the largest fish kill in Northwest history.

That wasn't the first time politicians have sacrificed the Klamath's fish and wildlife to achieve political goals. In 2003, The Wall Street Journal found that the political motives of White House adviser Karl Rove, not science, had driven federal decisions in the Klamath. And in 2002, Oregon Rep. Greg Walden killed a $175 million restoration bill for the Klamath that would have benefited both salmon and farmers. Unfortunately, the exploitation of the Klamath's water woes for political gain continues. 

Take Action!

Take a moment to ask your representatives to hold Dick Cheney and the Bush administration accountable by supporting the Congressional hearings on White House meddling in Klamath science. Taking action is easy and only takes a moment. Just fill-out the email form below. THANKS.

(photo by Northcoast Environmental Center )