Water will be the focus of two high profile events scheduled to occur in the next four days in Klamath Falls. Tomorrow, a congressional field hearing is planned that will address a National Academy of Sciences (NAS) report that could act as a blueprint for change in the Klamath River watershed. On Tuesday, July 20^th, the Governor Kulongoski will be honored at the 50^th Annual Meeting of the Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA) at Reames Country Club. A common theme will be likely be interwoven into both events: the need to employ a collaborative, watershed-based approach to solving the fishery challenges of the Klamath River watershed, using many of the recommendations put forth in the NAS report.

"We hope the NAS report can be used as a catalyst to improve the collaboration required to address the basin-wide problems we face," KWUA noted in testimony submitted to Congress last week. "We know we can develop locally derived solutions to address most of the NAS report recommendations."

The House Resources Committee will hold a field hearing tomorrow in Klamath Falls on the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The hearing, to be held at 9:00 a.m. at the Ross Ragland Theater in downtown Klamath Falls, will cover the ESA's impact on the Klamath Project, one of the nation's oldest federal irrigation projects.

A recent report completed by the NAS National Research Council (NRC) on Klamath River fishes will also be addressed at the hearing. Local community leaders are preparing for this important event, and are organizing a pre-hearing rally in Klamath Falls (see related information, pages 2-3).

Earlier this week, it was learned that Congressman George Radanovich (R-CA), who represents Central Valley Project irrigators near Fresno, will be the fifth congressman in attendance at the hearing. He will join Rep. Ken Calvert, Rep. Wally Herger, Rep. John Doolittle, and Rep. Greg Walden tomorrow in Klamath Falls.

Three days later, as part of a two-day visit to Klamath Falls, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski will be honored by local water users at KWUA’s 50^th Annual Meeting. The meeting will be held at the Reames Golf and Country Club in Klamath Falls on Tuesday, July 20, 2004. The Governor also will be meeting with the Klamath Tribes and the Hatfield Group on July 21, 2004, as part of his ongoing efforts to further dialogue and bring long-term resolution to Klamath Basin water issues.

"It is an honor to us and a testimony to his commitment to our Basin that Governor Kulongoski is coming to our meeting", said Dan Keppen, KWUA Executive Director. "We want to publicly thank him for his efforts to promote the economic, social and environmental viability of the agricultural community served by the Klamath Irrigation Project. Our fiftieth anniversary is a special occasion, and we’re lucky to have such a special guest attend."

The luncheon buffet will be opened at 11:15 a.m. and the meeting is scheduled to begin at noon. The governor will stay for the first hour of a 90-minute program. A meeting agenda is shown on page 2 of this update.