Oregon Cattlemen's Association
opposes agreement
Klamath Falls Herald and News
http://www.heraldandnews.com February 22, 2008
The Oregon Cattlemen's Association announced it
opposes the proposed Klamath Basin Restoration
Agreement.
A press release from the organization said it
received a recommendation from the Klamath
Cattlemen's Association to oppose the agreement. OCA
officials said the group would support a settlement
versus continuing litigation connected to the
region's water issues, but does not view the current
agreement as equitable.
"The agreement would ultimately have dramatic
adverse impacts on production agriculture within the
Basin," the press release said.
Stakeholders released the 256-page agreement
document Jan. 15 after two-and-a-half years of
negotiations. If approved, it would allocate water
in the Klamath River watershed among irrigators,
tribes, fishermen and conservationists. It also
seeks removal of four hydroelectric dams on the
Klamath River owned by Portland based PacifiCorp.
OCA members heard presentations on the agreement
from the Klamath Water Users Association and the
Klamath Off-Project Water Users at its board meeting
Feb. 15. Afterward, the board voted unanimously to
oppose the agreement.
The organization's concerns included the amount
of time provided to review the 256-page document,
the agreement's impact on the water adjudication
process, conflicts with state and federal law.
OCA also passed a resolution opposing removal of
hydroelectric dams and dams used for collecting
water for irrigation.
Natural resources council
The Klamath County Natural Resources Advisory
Council met Thursday night to discuss the proposed
Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement.
The council provides recommendations on the
county's natural resource policies to the Klamath
County Board of Commissioners.
The full story will be in Saturday's Herald and
News.
