TULELAKE - Deb Crisp, Executive Director of the Tulelake Growers Association has been appointed by President Bush to be the designated Chairman of the Klamath River Compact Commission as the Federal Representative.

Crisp will Chair the committee which also includes representatives appointed by both the California and Oregon Governors.

"I'm truly honored by the confidence the Bush administration has placed in my ability to serve in this position." Crisp told the Pioneer Press, "I'm very grateful to United States Representatives John Doolittle and Wally Herger from California and Oregon Representative Greg Walden for their help, as well as state Representatives Doug LaMalfa, and Bill Garrard, and State Senators Doug Whitsett and Sam Aanestad."

Deb Crisp was widely supported in her nomination by a wide variety of resource and political groups.

"I can't say how much I appreciate the support from County Commissioners, the Farm Bureau, Klamath Water Users, the Siskiyou County Republican Central Committee and all the other organizations and individuals," Crisp said, adding, "The Tulelake Growers Association Board of Directors have encouraged me since I decided to seek the appointment. I can't thank them enough."

"Debra Crisp has extensive experience in resource management and has been a strong advocate  for farmers and ranchers in the Klamath Basin for years," Congressmen Walden, Herger and Doolittle said in a joint letter to President Bush, "In addition she has demonstrated considerable leadership skills and creativity in working within Basin communities. More importantly, she has been able to work cooperatively with members of tribal communities and coastal community leaders who have been adversely affected by government mandates and extreme environmental organizations.  We have confidence that Ms. Crisp will be able to work effectively with representatives from all stakeholder groups and elected officials to craft policy recommendations that will ensure the long-term health of the Klamath River communities, economies and environments."

Crisp has worked for the Tulelake Growers Association since 1993, and a Klamath County resident since 1977.  She was named both Agriculture Person of the Year and Timber Person of the Year by the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce in 1996.