In the Matter of Declaring )
A State of Emergency )
Within Klamath County )
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, this matter comes before the Board of
Commissioners at an special meeting on March 17, 2009, involving
a developing disaster situation created by an estimated seasonal
inflow to be about 71% of average storage in Upper Klamath
Lake. This situation continues to be well below required
biological opinion (BO) lake elevations for this time of year.
WHEREAS, based upon these estimated inflows and
Upper Klamath Lake elevations projected for the end of March, it
is unlikely Upper Klamath Lake will reach minimum BO elevations
and that the BOR will be unable to begin water deliveries on
April 1st. There is a potential for the delay in water
deliveries to extend into the first part of May which creates
the likelihood of significant losses in this season’s
agricultural production.
WHEREAS, while a County Disaster Declaration, in
this instance, can only bring attention to this serious matter,
a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Disaster Declaration for
Klamath County from the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture will
provide more flexibility in the timing and quality of
groundwater use to help meet critical irrigation needs during
times of water shortages.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of
Commissioners, under the emergency powers granted by ORS
401.305, declare that a “State of Emergency” exists within
Klamath County due to the economic impacts that will occur to
our agricultural community.
Done and Dated this 17th day of March, 2009.
KALMATH COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Chairperson
John W. Elliott /s/
Commissioner
Cheryl Hukill /s/
Commissioner
Al Switzer /s/
Forwarded to Oregon Emergency Management
at (time), 2009 .
