February
26, 2008
Klamath Falls Herald and
News Letter to the Editor
Since the
public release of the
Klamath River Basin
Restoration Agreement last
month. The Bureau of
Reclamation has attended
several public meetings in
which a number of people
expressed concern that the
agreement does not
adequately address the need
for additional water storage
in the Klamath Basin.
Reclamation's
commitment and process to
conduct detailed studies on
alternatives for storage
including offstream
facilities is noted in the
agreement.
These storage studies
are being conducted under
the authority of the Klamath
Basin Water Supply
Enhancement Act of 2000. The
effort is in the appraisal
stage and will be completed
in 2011.
Among regions being
analyzed is that of Long
Lake Valley, one which shows
promise. Several key steps
will need to follow study
completion including
environment analysis,
decision making,
congressional authorization,
and funding. All these steps
will be carried out using
sound data and science.
Without
question Reclamation is
thoroughly committed to
studying storage options.
Pablo R.
Arroyave
Klamath Basin Area
Office Manager
Bureau of Reclamation
