A: The July 17^th event is a field hearing of the House Resources Committee Subcommittee on Water and Power. This hearing is specifically designed to discuss the application of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and to find a scientific solution to updating and improving the ESA so that further generations will not have to suffer as the Klamath farmers have. During this hearing, the committee will examine the National Research Council final report that repudiated the scientific justification behind the 2001 water shut-off. The hearing will be conducted at the Ross Ragland Theatre in Klamath Falls, Oregon, and is set to begin at 9:00 a.m. It will last for 2 ½ hours.

A: At least four members of Congress will be present in Klamath Falls for the hearing: Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert (R-CA), Rep. Wally Herger (R-CA), Rep. John Doolittle (R-CA), and Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR). The Resources Committee staff will release the names of witnesses participating in the hearing in the coming week.

A: The hearing represents a landmark opportunity for elected officials and policy makers to seriously address a new approach to resources management in the Klamath River watershed. For years, the Klamath Basin has been marked by conflict and fragmented efforts to improve fishery and water supply conditions. Right now, Klamath farmers, tribes and environmentalists are all unhappy. Clearly, the current paradigm is flawed. In order to be successful, we need to better understand the real state of the watershed by developing the facts and best possible information to make the best possible decisions.

Fortunately, we have a new road map that can lead us in a new direction, and it is the final 2003 report released by the National Research Council’s Committee on Endangered and Threatened Fishes in the Klamath River Basin. This report will form a key topic of discussion at the upcoming hearing.

A: You can show your support for resource producers by marching along side them at a pre-hearing rally, scheduled to begin at 7:00 a.m. at Veteran’s Park in Klamath Falls. You can also submit written testimony to: The Honorable Richard Pombo, Chairman, House Resources Committee, 1324 Longworth HOB, Washington, DC 20515. (typed single space white paper,

8.5 X 11, not to exceed 5 pages) Copies can be deposited in locked box at hearing or Microsoft Word documents can be sent to: resources.committee@mail.house.gov