Here we have a common interest in the wildlife refuge.  In 1908, Lower Klamath was the first refuge ever established for migratory birds.  We have 12 - 13,000 acres of seasonal wetland habitat that needs to be dried out. The water we release will help smolt.  Dewatering our refuges is critical.  The last four years we couldn't get enough water in the summer and fall so we've had to re-circulate the same water.  The continued recycling causes salts.  The B OR and growers will try to replenish water.  We have the largest pelican colony in this part of the country right here, and millions of waterfowl.

"By dewatering some of these seasonal wetlands and getting water on in a very timely fashion, will grow native plants which provide seeds. The waterfowl will come in in the fall and this fall we'll see the true benefit of being able to get the water off in a timely manner.  As that water goes on we'll have millions of waterfowl.  They'll be foraging.  But they won't just be foraging on a seasonal wetlands.  They'll be foraging on thousands of acres of farms that are grown by local growers. 

It's really quite a dance between the wetlands, the agricultural community, and the crops that are grown.  As we stand here, I've been watching ibis flying back and forth. Well, they're flying into some of the permanent marshes on the south end of the unit to go to their nests.  And then they're going back just across the highway to some flooded pasture, back and forth.  It's quite a relationship that agriculture and the refuges have developed but it's one that's been very positive for wildlife....It's probably why we have such a diverse group here today , because people understand that working together , we can have these types of things..."