Senator Merkley-D, Representative Mike
Thompson-D, introduce Klamath Basin Economic Restoration Act
Legislation Would Create More than
4,600 Jobs, Restore Fish and Wildlife Habitats
November 10, 2011
WASHINGTON, D.C.
–Senator Jeff Merkley (OR) and Congressman
Mike Thompson (CA-1) today jointly introduced the Klamath
Basin Economic Restoration Act in the Senate and House. The
legislation would implement a comprehensive plan, developed
through a multi-year collaborative effort among farmers,
ranchers, fishermen, Tribal leaders, and conservationists,
to settle one of the nation’s most volatile water wars.
According to an analysis released by the U.S. Department of
the Interior, the removal of four dams on the Klamath River
would create more than 4,600 jobs in the basin, including
hundreds of jobs in fishing and agriculture, while restoring
historical habitat for salmon, steelhead and other fish and
wildlife. The legislation is cosponsored in the Senate by
California Senator Barbara Boxer.
“This
legislation is proof that through collaboration and hard
work we can move beyond the disputes of the past and
create a stronger foundation for economic growth,”
said Senator Jeff Merkley.
“This legislation will provide a brighter future for the
Klamath Basin – putting people to work and improving the
economy for farmers and fishermen alike.”
“The
agreements that are in place represent the best way
forward for the Klamath River Basin and its communities
– now it is time for Congress to put these agreements
into action,” said Thompson.
“The dam removals will
not only benefit our river basin by restoring fish and
wildlife habitats, it will strengthen our economy by
creating more than 4,600 jobs.”
Senator Boxer said,
“This bill will
implement a carefully crafted plan that will help
farmers, fishermen, Native American communities and the
environment by restoring the Klamath River Basin. I
applaud the leadership of Senator Merkley, Congressman
Thompson and all the stakeholders for coming together
behind a plan that will strengthen the region’s economy
and the environment.”
The Klamath Basin Economic Restoration Act
authorizes the implementation of the Klamath Basin
Restoration Agreement (KBRA) and the Klamath Hydroelectric
Settlement Agreement (KHSA). The two agreements jointly
envision a collaborative approach to natural resource
management and economic and environmental restoration. In
addition, they settle decades of water rights disputes and
other litigation over natural resources in the region.
Specifically, the legislation:
- Approves both agreements and
authorizes the U.S. Department of Interior to sign and
implement the KBRA, implement the KHSA and take the
necessary steps to move the agreement forward.
- Changes or establishes federal policy
to assist implementation of the agreements
- Establishes a process to plan for and
implement dam removal.
Scientific analysis cited by Interior
anticipates significant benefits to commercial salmon
fishermen. With removal of the dams, Coho would reclaim 68
miles of historical habitat, steelhead – the Klamath River’s
most popular sport fish – would regain 420 miles of
historical habitat, and Chinook salmon production would
increase by more than 80 percent. All together, eleven
coastal counties in Oregon and California would gain more
than 400 jobs as a result of improved fishing conditions.
Studies done by the Department of Interior
estimate that the reliability of the water supply that would
be gained through the legislation would boost gross farm
income and add between 70 and 695 jobs annually to the
agricultural economy.
Glen Spain, Northwest Director of the
Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations
emphasized, “Our rural communities simply can’t afford to do
nothing. That’s a recipe for another round of catastrophes
like the fish kill and irrigation shut-off. We desperately
need Congress to act now.”
“When disaster hit and litigation got
drawn out, we were challenged by elected officials to
develop our own solutions to the water crises that have
devastated our communities,” said Steve Kandra, a Klamath
Basin farmer. “Together we did it and we’re part of a strong
and growing constituency that expects our elected officials
to seize this opportunity to end the Klamath Crisis.”
Jeff Mitchell, lead negotiator for the
Klamath Tribes noted, “This bill is a marked departure from
past attempts by one interest group to strong arm another.
Instead we’ve set aside ideological debates and focused on
protecting everyone’s interests collectively. It’s exactly
the type of win-win policy Congress should embrace.”
“This legislation represents a significant
step forward to resolving the conflict in the Klamath Region
and we are extremely grateful for efforts of Congressman
Thompson and look forward to working with him to get
legislation signed into law,” said Thomas O'Rourke, Chairman
of the Yurok Tribe. “The Yurok Tribe has worked hard to
forge relationships and come to agreements that are in the
mutual interest of all parties involved. Now, Congress needs
to act so we can begin restoring the Klamath River Basin.”
The total cost of removing the dams and
embarking on the environmental restoration called for in
this legislation is estimated to be $536 million in Federal
funds, which will be matched by $550 million in non-Federal
funds.
