Members of the coalition that crafted agreements about the future of the Klamath River gathered in Salem, Ore., Thursday to sign the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement and Klamath Hydropower Settlement Agreement.
The KHSA outlines a process for removal of four Klamath River dams, the largest dam removal and river restoration project in history. The KBRA addresses environmental and economic issues in the Klamath Basin.
More than 30 stakeholder groups, including California Governor Schwarzenegger, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski and US Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, participated in the signing ceremony.
Other key participants included PacifiCorp Chief Executive Officer Greg Abel and representatives of stakeholder groups including: Karuk Tribe, Klamath Tribes of Oregon, Yurok Tribe, American Rivers, Trout Unlimited, California Trout, Salmon River Restoration Council, Natural Heritage Institute, Northern CA Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers, Institute for Fisheries Resources, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, Klamath Water Users Association, Upper Klamath Water Users Association, Klamath County and Humboldt County.
Siskiyou County, which has opposed the agreement, did not take part in the signing ceremony. Under provisions outlined in the agreements, stakeholders have 60 days after the ceremony to sign on.
The Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement provides for restoration of salmon habitat on Klamath tributaries and allocates water rights and guarantees water deliveries for both farmers and for the environment. The basin restoration will cost about $1 billion over 10 years and will be financed by the federal government. The agreement is also subject to Congressional approval.
“Change is happening and we invite people to join us,” declared Thomas O’Rourke, Chairman of the Yurok Tribe. “Legislation will take some time, but former adversaries are already working together to manage the Basin, take care of our people, and craft a shared future. That’s what we’re celebrating here today.”
Steve Rothert, California Director for American Rivers, said, “Dam removal gets a lot of attention but removal alone is not enough to restore the many endangered fisheries to self sustaining and harvestable levels. Habitat restoration and improved water flows at key times of year are also critical.”
Chuck Bonham, California Director for Trout Unlimited, said, “We all recognize that we must work as partners with the agricultural community and private landowners to make fisheries recovery possible. We want the fish welcomed home.”
“Restoring the Klamath River fisheries from source to sea is a central focus of this restoration effort. Ours is the only practical plan to address removal of four dams necessary for fish recovery. And it creates a foundation for peace in our conflict-torn Basin by defining water sharing among competing, and growing, demands,” said Jeff Mitchell, Councilman and lead negotiator for the Klamath Tribes.
Luther Horsley, President of the Klamath Water Users Association, which represents farmers in the federal Klamath Reclamation Project, said, “From the beginning, our shared premise for negotiation was that wildlife restoration without measures to stabilize local economies was not going to bring the long-term sustainability and well-being our communities need.”
Salem, Ore. —
