2001 RESOLUTIONS
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RESOLUTION
#10: REFORM MANAGEMENT OF THE KLAMATH BASIN
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| The Klamath Basin is one
of the nation's great ecological treasures. Considered to be a
"western Everglades," this area in southern Oregon and northern
California once contained about 350,000 acres of shallow lakes and
wetlands (only 75,000 acres of which survive today). The
200-milelong Klamath River was among the most productive salmon and
steelhead rivers in the West. The upper basin is home to
remarkably large native trout, and once contained thriving populations
of spring chinook salmon, steelhead, and Kuptus and Tsuam (Lost River
and Shortnote suckers). These fish once provided a major source
of food for native Americans. The Klamath Basin attracts nearly
80% of the birds migrating in the Pacific Flyway and supports the
largest seasonal concentration of bald eagles in the lower 48 states. |
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| While water is vital to
maintaining the ecological integrity of the Klamath Basin, viable fish
populations, and tribal trust resources, the dominant use of water in
the Klamath Basin historically has been irrigated agriculture. To
date more than 75% of the basin's wetlands have been drained and
converted to agriculture. Damming and diversion of rivers and
draining of wetlands have taken an enormous toll on the basin's
ecology. The hydrology of the basin has been radically
altered, and water quality has been severely degraded. These
conditions have contributed to the decline of the species there listed
under the Endangered Species Act, the failure of streams and lakes to
meet water quality and temperature standards, the failure to satisfy
Native American hunting and fishing rights, and insufficient water to
maintain the wetlands within the national wildlife refuges in the basin. |
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| Federal assistance and
support will be needed in resolving the numerous issues and conflicts
over water in the basin. We need to do what we can to reduce the
economic hardships that this year's drought has brought to the farmers
of the Klamath Basin -- without sacrificing the incredible resources of
the Klamath Lake, the Klamath River, and the Klamath Basin refuges. |
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| The Federation of Western
Outdoor Clubs urges the federal government to: 1) reform management of
the Klamath Irrigation Project; 2) fund and implement a voluntary
program to reduce water demand; 3) terminate refuge leased-land
farming; 4) restore fish and wildlife habitats, 5) meet water quality
standards, 6) implement water conservation measures and improve water
management, and 7) augment water supplies. |
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| Please contact: Secretary
of the Interior Gale Norton. |
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