For Immediate Release: February 15, 2008

Contact: Dave Solem, Manager

               Klamath Irrigation District (KID)

               Office 541-882-6661 Cell 541-891-0061

The Board of Directors of Klamath Irrigation District passed a resolution on February 14, 2008, supporting the 2008 Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement (KBRA).

            The resolution adopted:

            The Klamath Irrigation District Board of Directors supports the Klamath Basin     Restoration Agreement (KBRA), Draft 11, as released on January 15, 2008 and       intends to approve the KBRA, subject only to finalization of the appendices that      had not been completed on January 15, 2008 and appropriate and minor,             clarifying and conforming revisions of the KBRA, and the Board's final review of   the same.

The resolution was unanimously passed by the four Directors present at the KID Board meeting.  The District hosted a public meeting on January 25, 2008 in Merrill to outline the KBRA and to answer questions.  This meeting, along with others hosted by the Klamath Water Users Association and others, as well as media coverage, has generated much dialog and attention among KID waterusers.  The Board agreed the response has been generally positive and supportive of signing on to the agreement.   

Dave Cacka, President of the KID Board of Directors, said "The Klamath Basin Agreement is the product of over two years of discussion.  The need for a reliable supply of water, affordable irrigation and drainage power rates, and ESA compliance protection were our focus.  You can either deal with these issues up front or deal with them later.  The KID members have seen the impact of trying to settle conflicts in the courts. The KBRA is an opportunity to prevent another 2001 crisis that was devastating to our district and community."

The KBRA includes settlement of water right claim contests the Project filed against the Klamath Tribes in the Klamath River Adjudication. The settlement preserves the Klamath Project water right claim to store and divert supplies from Klamath Lake.  During the adjudication, the Board has approved the settlement of many other contests, primarily with Off-Project irrigators. 

KID waterusers are encouraged to contact the KID Board members or staff with questions and comments.