April 14, 2021
Liz Writes Life
Twenty years ago, 1,400 farmers in the Klamath Project were
told by a federal government agency (Bureau of Reclamation) they would not
receive any irrigation water for the entire 2001 production year. The culprit
was the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that updated a Biological Opinion claiming
the Endangered Species Act-listed sucker fish living in Upper Klamath Lake
needed the legally-stored water. So, the suckers took precedence over any water
slated for the farmers.
That year marked large rallies of peaceful protests in
support of the farmers. On May 7, 2001, more than 15,000 individuals and
elected politicians protested by holding a bucket brigade in the city of
Klamath Falls. On June 15, 2001, the largest “field hearing” that had ever been
held by members of congress met at the Event Center in Klamath Falls. But, more
than 230,000 acres became a dust bowl.
Since then, there have been many meetings, lawsuits, court
decisions and lots of hand-wringing.
So, it is with a very sad heart that I learned the now 1,200
farmers in the Klamath Project will not receive irrigation water this year.
Quite often, I try to bring updated information about the Klamath Project to
you. It is an integral part of our economic region. And, I also try to explain
the complicated situation, when Tribes have filed lawsuits over the stored
water and water right decisions have been made by courts.
This year, the loss of irrigation water has quite a lot to do
with the drought. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown issued a Drought Declaration for
Klamath County last month. A certain amount of water must also be stored,
because of court rulings in favor of the Klamath Tribe and water for the
ESA-listed species of fish.
With this short preface, I will now include a letter that
went out to the Project farmers on April 8, 2021 explaining the present
situation. It was titled, “Little to No water for Klamath Project Farms in 2021”
and was sent by the Klamath Water Users Assoc. combined with several water districts.
Keep in mind that Siskiyou Tulelake area farmers are part of
the Project and will lose their livelihood. Also, the Tulelake Refuge will also
lose its water as it is part of the Klamath Project. Yep, this is a
frustratingly sad situation.
Dear Editor and Dear Neighbors:
Klamath Project irrigators find themselves in a situation
that is eerily similar to 2001.
Unfortunately, there will be extremely minimal to no water
from Upper Klamath Lake for irrigation this year. This will not change for the
2021 crop season, regardless of current efforts in various venues to make
things work for irrigators. Upper Klamath Lake has been breaking records for
low inflows every day for the past month and the forecast shows no meaningful
precipitation. There are other problems that we all understand and on which we
will be heard. Here we are simply being the messengers for extremely bad news.
Farmers and ranchers do not receive salaries. They pay
mortgages, property taxes, irrigation districts assessments, and try to provide
for their families. They provide good jobs for good people. They share this
place with abundant wildlife. If the farms and our community survive, it will
take upwards of eight good irrigation years to financially recover, not to
mention the legacy effect on the future of our farming families.
With the efforts and cooperation of districts, irrigators,
and our community, the Project has made the most of many poor situations in the
past. This year, the tools to make this work simply are not sufficient to align
supply with demand. Unfortunately, our only hope as a community is to seek
federal funding to get the most out of any water that can be had, prevent
foreclosures, and to keep a core workforce employed. We thank Senators Wyden,
Merkley, and Feinstein, who are working hard to help in that effort. And we are
grateful for the ongoing support from Representatives Bentz and LaMalfa.
We are well aware of the impact to the business community
that is reliant on agricultural production in the basin, and we are very sorry
for the pain they will experience. We will continue pursuing strategies to
correct fundamental problems in the basin, advocate common sense, and begin
work with responsible parties so that we are not in this impossible and
unnatural situation again in the future.
There will be much more to say, but our
message today is that we must assume that our farms will receive no
meaningful amount of water from Upper Klamath Lake this year, and plan
accordingly.
We ask our communities to do what we can to get through this
year, and fervently hope that we can weather the storm together. We must not
support or tolerate action that is counterproductive or unlawful, which only
tarnishes the image of this remarkable community. Take care of your families.
Take care of your neighbors.
We are united in our commitment to preserve this community,
provide for our posterity, and feed the world.
Sincerely, Ben DuVal, President Klamath Water Users Assoc.; Ty
Kliewer, President Klamath Irrigation District; John Crawford, President Tulelake
Irrigation District; Jason Flowers, President Klamath Drainage District.
Genealogy tours
For something fun to do try one of Siskiyou Co. Historical
Society’s Walking Tours that will be held in Yreka. A tour will be held each
day Friday through Monday, April 16-19. Two tours will be at local cemeteries,
one is about Miner’s Street and the Gold Rush; and one will showcase
architecture on 3rd St. and N. Oregon St. All start at 5 p.m. Due to
Covid-19, they are asking participants to wear masks and there is a small
charge of $5 per tour. For more info call 530-572-1099.
Parting thought: Peace may be hard to find, but we must seek
for it -- especially for our hearts and minds. Smile – just cuz it will make
you feel better!
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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