DNN -Stop finger-pointing on the Klamath Basin

IN MY OPINION - THE COASTAL FISHERY CRISIS

Stop finger-pointing on the Klamath Basin

Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Greg Addington and Dan Keppen

George Gibbs, traveling through Northern California in 1851, was struck by
conditions at the confluence of the Klamath and Trinity rivers.

The Trinity, wrote Gibbs, "is in size about half that of the Klamath, and
its waters, likewise rapid, are of transcendent purity; contrasting with
those of the latter stream which never lost the taint of their origin."

The origin of the Klamath River is warm, shallow Upper Klamath Lake, which
feeds the federal Klamath Irrigation Project. More than 150 years after
Gibbs' visit, the Klamath River and the irrigation project are now in the
sights of the national media and environmental activists. Every week, we
read claims that the river and the coastal salmon fishery are being
destroyed by the project, a convenient source of blame for all that is
apparently tainted in the Klamath ecosystem.

What we don't see in the papers is the fact that, over the past four years,
between 40,000 and 100,000 acre-feet of water originally developed for
agriculture has instead been bought by the federal government and dedicated
annually to an environmental water bank to "protect" fish. In 2005, nearly
30 percent of the water traditionally used in an average water year by the
Klamath Project and wildlife refuges was reallocated in this manner.

Further, even though the Klamath Project is one of the most water-use
efficient reclamation operations in the country, more than 800 growers have
applied for 2002 Farm Bill funding to implement cost-share projects that
conserve water.

These actions are laudable. However, one has to remember that there is only
so much water that can be squeezed from an area that is just 2 percent of
the watershed and uses only 3 percent to 4 percent of Klamath River flows in
an average year.

Despite these efforts, irrigators are now being blamed in the media by
environmental activists for a looming crisis on the coast. This spring,
commercial salmon fishing has been closed along 700 miles of Pacific
shoreline, which federal regulators believe will prevent "take" of Klamath
River salmon. This very complicated issue is deftly and simply portrayed by
faraway activists as " fishermen vs. farmers."

Once again, they've got it wrong.

Recently, a group of irrigator representatives traveled to Coos Bay and met
with more than 50 coastal fishermen and political leaders. It was somewhat
of a revelation that not a single fisherman at the meeting pointed to the
Klamath Project as the cause for the fishery closure. Instead, they offered
up other explanations, including:

Insufficient hatchery production and failure to count hatchery fish.

Disjointed stock management by state and federal agencies.

Sea lion predation.

Unfavorable ocean conditions and several years of drought.

The meeting ended in mutual pledges by the irrigators and the fishermen to
work together. As a first step, the Klamath Relief Fund -- created to assist
distressed farmers in 2001 -- has been re-activated by the Klamath farming
community. This time, the money raised will be used to help fishermen and
their families.

We're tired of the Klamath finger-pointing. Instead, we want to extend a
helping hand.

Greg Addington is executive director of the Klamath Water Users Association.
Dan Keppen is former executive director of the association and is now
executive director of the Family Farm Alliance. They both live near Klamath
Falls. You can donate to the Klamath Relief Fund for Commercial Fishermen at
P.O. Box 5252, Klamath Falls, OR 97601.


This information and much more that you need to know about the ESA, the Klamath Basin, and private property rights can be found at The Klamath Bucket Brigade's website - HYPERLINK
"http://www.klamathbucketbrigade.org/"http://www.klamathbucketbrigade.org/

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 9:05 AM

The Klamath farmers and ranchers have reactivated the Klamath Bucket
Brigade's Relief Fund to help support the coastal fishermen. They supported us in 2001 and now they're facing financial ruin. If you have a spare dollar or two, please donate to this worthy cause. The address to send donations to is in the last paragraph and remember, your donations are tax deductible.

HYPERLINK
"http://www.oregonlive.com/commentary/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/1147724709218350.xml&coll=7

-- please visit today.