A natural state 

Environmental groups push for all agriculture to be removed

By Lance Waldren

Pioneer Press Staff Writer

Pioneer Press

Fort Jones , CA

530-468-5355

mailto:pioneerp@sisqtel.net

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Page E12

KLAMATH BASIN - No one will argue that the Klamath Basin and its refuges, plays a large role in the Pacific Flyway and the large migration of birds through our area every spring and fall.   What they will argue about is the best way to provide habitat and feed for these huge flocks.

The Pioneer Press spoke with several environmental groups who have a different vision for what is going on in and around the Tule Lake and Lower Klamath Refuges.

Oregon Wild  and WaterWatch are pushing for all agriculture to be removed from the Basin Refuges.  

"These are not wildlife refuges, they are farms,  leveled and diked," said Bob Hunter, Staff Attorney for WaterWatch.  "On no other public lands will you see commercial farms."

Both groups agree that the walking wetlands program instituted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is very positive.   They also say Ron Cole,  the refuge manager, is doing the best he can in a bad situation. 

"We are pleased to see the numbers of birds increasing but it is a nickel and dime approach to the problem," said Steve Pedery, Conservation Director of Oregon Wild.
Pedery went on to say in addition to wanting to see the refuges returned to their natural state, they want the water demand of the Klamath Basin reduced and the water used for the refuges and the river.  

"We are not calling for an end of all basin agriculture, just sustainability for all of the users.   We need to buy back some of the promises made to the farmers and start to retire lease land and return it to the wildlife," said Pedery.

Pedery said by returning all of the refuge to wetlands you would not only increase habitat but also increase the water storage capacity in the basin.  He said if having commercial agriculture on a wildlife refuge is such a good idea, why aren't other refuges doing it.   He wants to see the public land freed up so Fish and Wildlife biologists can do what is best for the animals.

"Ron Coles opinion on how to manage the refuge would change if we had a different president," said Pedery.   There has been a fight to keep this in agriculture because it is some of the most productive land in the basin."

According to WaterWatch, the lease land is no longer compatible with the goals of the refuge managers.   Their vision is also to see the land turned back to the refuge managers to restore it to natural wetlands.

"It is not managed for wildlife and this is only occurring because of political pressure from this administration," said Hunter.

Refuge Manager, Ron Cole, responded by saying he is happy to see they appreciate what they are doing on the refuge.   He disagreed that it is a nickel and dime approach.
"When you take an all or nothing approach, you only end up in court" said Cole.   "We are making tremendous headway on developing sustainable agriculture and increasing and improving habitat."

Cole said they have a law in place which dictates that agriculture and wetlands will both be on this refuge.   The programs they are developing are showing they can co-exist and are mutually beneficial.

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