KWUA Perspective on the

National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Review of Klamath Project Effects on Fish Species in Klamath River Watershed

The Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA) and its members in 2001 strongly advocated for an independent peer review of the 2001 Klamath Project Biological Opinions, the underlying science, and the related overall scientific process. The final report from the NAS Committee on Endangered and Threatened Fishes in the Klamath Basin represents a critical step towards ensuring proper assessment and maintenance of healthy fish populations.

The final NAS report is remarkable for two key reasons:

1. The report clearly indicates that recovery of endangered suckers and threatened coho salmon in the Klamath Basin cannot be achieved by actions that are exclusively or primarily focused on operation of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s (USBR) Klamath Project.

2. KWUA is pleased that the NAS determined the operation of the Klamath Project was not the cause of the 2002 fish kill and that changes in the operation of the project at the time would not have prevented it.

“This report is consistent with what we have been saying for years – the Klamath Project cannot solely bear the burden for species recovery in this basin,” said Dan Keppen, KWUA Executive Director. “A watershed-wide approach to species recovery – one that addresses all the stressors to fish – is essential to improving our environment and saving our local economy. We share the NAS report’s vision that increased knowledge, improved management, and cohesive community action will promote recovery of the fishes.”

KWUA is currently reviewing the full report and will develop more detailed comments on it in the coming days. The NAS final report can be downloaded at: www.nationalacademies.org/morenews/