Possible Water Crisis for Ag Operations on Oregon-California Border
Hundreds of farmers who rely on a massive irrigation project that spans the Oregon-California border learned Wednesday they will get a tiny fraction of the water they need amid the worst drought in decades, as federal regulators attempt to balance the needs of agriculture against federally threatened and endangered fish species that are central to the heritage of several tribes.
Oregon’s governor said the prolonged drought in the region has the “full attention of our offices,” and she is working with congressional delegates, the White House and federal agencies to find relief for those affected.
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Barry Kaye
Siskiyou Daily News
When it was announced Wednesday that Klamath River Basin farmers would receive less than 10% of their annual summer water allotments due to a historic drought, the news was not so much of a surprise as it was stunning in the totality of the economic devastation it would sow, irrigators said.
The announcement that farmers would receive only 33,000-acre feet of water was made by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which oversees water deliveries on federal land and delayed the decision for more than a month.
Many farmers and ranchers, already reeling following a global pandemic, are now questioning their future in the second-largest land reclamation project on record. Native American tribes are also worried as endangered fish species such as Coho salmon and the Lost River sucker considered an integral part of their culture are equally threatened.
Epic drought means water crisis in Klamath Basin
GILLIAN FLACCUS
Hundreds of farmers who rely on a massive irrigation project that spans the Oregon-California border learned Wednesday they will get a tiny fraction of the water they need amid the worst drought in decades, as federal regulators attempt to balance the needs of agriculture against federally threatened and endangered fish species that are central to the heritage of several tribes.
Oregon’s governor said the prolonged drought in the region has the “full attention of our offices,” and she is working with congressional delegates, the White House and federal agencies to find relief for those affected.
Epic drought means water crisis for Klamath Basin on Oregon-California border
US Drought Monitor
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) Federal officials announced Wednesday that farmers who rely on a massive irrigation project spanning the Oregon-California border will get 8% of the deliveries they need amid a severe drought.
The seasonal allocations released by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation are the most dramatic development since water was shut off to hundreds of Klamath Basin irrigators in 2001 in a decades-long battle over water rights in the region.
The Klamath Tribes proactively sued this week to ensure minimum water levels for a fish species critical to their heritage. The Yurok Tribe, downstream from the irrigation project, fears salmon won t survive.
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