July 15, 2020
Liz Writes Life
Published in Siskiyou Daily News, Yreka, CA
The last time a U.S. Secretary of Interior visited the
Klamath Basin was in 2002. That was after the 2001 Biological Opinion of the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service claimed the sucker fish in the Upper Klamath
Lake needed more water, including all of the water designated for 1,400 farmers
in the federal Klamath Project. Such a travesty!
Yep, that started a firestorm of frustration. The largest
official Congressional Field Hearing, until that time, was held at the Events
Center in Klamath Falls in June 2001. U.S. Congressional House and Senate
leaders showed-up to see and hear why the man-made drought was so devastating
and unconscionable.
Irrigation water in the federal project is re-used up to six
times and wildlife refuges are included as systems of canals and ditches weave
their way throughout the 230,000 acres and down to the Tule Lake Refuge. When
the farmers lost their water, more than 450 species of wildlife also lost their
habitat. Yes, wild animals and birds died.
So, after a year of meetings, haggling and Water Bucket Brigade
rallies, federal agencies under President George W. Bush announced the farmers’
rightful water would be available for 2002.
On March 29, 2002, Interior Secretary Gale Norton and U.S. Secretary
of Agriculture, Ann Veneman, arrived in Klamath Falls and opened the headgates
of the major A canal. It was a momentous and happy day. I was there to see it,
report on it and took photos. Like the farmers, I was hopeful they would
continue to receive their water allocation for years to come.
Unfortunately, the water problems continued and actually
became even more worrisome. Federal agencies manage the Endangered Species Act
and there are several ESA-listed species that live in the Klamath area. Sucker
fish are one and the coho salmon that utilize the Klamath River are another.
Tribes and environmentalists demand water for those fish. Personally, I was
shocked when the 450 wildlife species were ignored – just like the farmers.
By April 1st of each year, federal agencies weigh-in and the
Bureau of Reclamation announces how much water the Klamath Project farmers will
receive. Keep in mind that the irrigation water for the project is stored in
Upper Klamath Lake, and other areas, and it is their legal water – reiterated by
a court decision in 2013.
Everyone knew that we did not receive much snow or rain this
past winter. Drought was imminent. So, including the water demands for
ESA-listed fish, the Klamath farmers knew they were in for a reduced allocation.
And it was. Greatly, at 40 percent of what is legally theirs. The farmers
didn’t like it, but they figured out how much water they would receive and
decided what fields to plant; then went to their banks and obtained loans to do
the job.
In early May, Reclamation released a new edict. The farmers
would lose another 20 percent. Oh, no! This meant that water would be shut-off
to their growing crops -- by July 1st. Devastation! Farmers said it was worse
than 2001, because back then they had not obtained the loans needed to plant
their crops. How would they pay their 2020 loans with no product to sell?
To try and get noticed, farmers organized a “Shut Down and
Fed Up” protest held May 29, 2020 with a 39-mile-long convoy of tractors,
trucks, cars and pickups participating.
Doug LaMalfa, our CA. Dist. 1 U.S. Congressman, drove a big tractor
and along with OR. Congressman, Greg Walden, they have been outspoken, engaged
and a giant advocate for the farmers. Because of their many phone calls,
official letters and dedication, along with the voices of farming groups, water
districts and a unifying leadership from Siskiyou, Modoc and Klamath Counties,
the Trump Administration heard about the 2020 travesty on the federal Klamath
Project -- and responded.
So, 18 years since a DOI Secretary visited the Klamath Project,
the current Secretary, David Bernhardt, came to Klamath Falls last week on July
9, 2020. Along with Bernhardt was the nation-wide Commissioner (head honcho) of
Bureau of Reclamation, Brenda Burman. This was impressive folks. It was less
than two months since the “Shut Down and Fed Up” rally!
In the morning meetings, various contenders were invited to
share their information, concerns and possible solutions. Tribes and
environmentalists were included. In the afternoon, an event for media was held.
I was invited to attend this meeting, which was held in a farmer’s field where
70 years ago only sage brush grew. The 80-year-old farmer recalled his father
worked long hours to cleared it and plant crops to feed a growing America.
Sadly, last Thursday, the field was dry dirt. What a waste!
TV media asked questions of Congressmen LaMalfa and Walden. Then
Secretary Bernhardt and Reclamation Commissioner Brenda Burman arrived and were
interviewed in the barren dust surrounded by a still-life of huge tractors and
farm equipment. Yes, American flags were proudly flying.
Our Siskiyou Co. Supervisor Board Chairman, Michael Kobseff,
and Supervisor Brandon Criss, who’s district includes project farmers in
Tulelake, also attended. For years, our county has been actively raising awareness
that the water problem must be fixed.
Michael told me that the Klamath Basin is a billion dollar
economy. Siskiyou is a part of this industry and a long-term solution must be
established. He also gave praise to LaMalfa saying, “Hat’s off to Congressmen
LaMalfa and Walden for working to get Secretary Bernhardt and Commissioner
Burman here.”
LaMalfa continues to expound that bad science has led to
decades of disregard for the irrigators’ water rights and their need for
long-term solutions using the newest science on the suckers. He adds that the allocated-stored
water does not belong to anyone other than Klamath Basin farmers and the
bureaucracy has no right to take it away without compensation.
Congressman Walden said the current rules and regulations
haven’t worked for salmon, suckers and certainly not for the farmers. Both
congressmen were very appreciative and thanked Secretary Bernhardt and
Commissioner Burman for coming out to hear the farmers and the history of the
basin.
Secretary Bernhardt said the meetings were devoted to
learning the issues and that solutions must be based in facts and law. Commissioner
Burman told the group, “President Trump cares about rural America.” (Yay!)
Bernhardt said he will be meeting with President Trump on the
situation and the president will ask, “What I am going to do about it?” and
then tell Bernhardt to “Get-er done!”
Some solutions will require congressional decisions and
possibly “lots of funding.” But, Bernhardt said that Trump is very clear. Problems
are to be “figured out and then to do it!” (What an important concept!)
So, as in 2002, I am once again hopeful. It was gratifying to
see such a quick response by the leaders of Interior and Reclamation. I felt they
were genuine and wanted to hear all the issues.
Oh, thank you to all involved -- and may the legal water flow!
Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in
newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near Callahan.
Columns from the past can be found at: lizwriteslife.blogspot.com. Call her at
530-467-3515.
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