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Irrigators fear spring cutoff, seek county backing in suit
Published March 10, 2003
By JENNIFER BATES
Klamath Basin water users fear that a lawsuit in California could mean they'll have no water.
Dan Keppen, executive director of the Klamath Water Users Association, says he's seeking support from county commissioners in the form of friend-of-the-court briefs as irrigators try to fend off a temporary restraining order.
"Water could be cut off from farmers this spring," Keppen said.
The suit is against the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in U.S. District Court in Oakland, Calif. It is expected to be heard April 29.
It was filed in April, 2002 and modified after 33,000 salmon died in the Klamath River in September.
Downstream fishery groups, tribes and environmentalists say the Bureau's operating plan doesn't provide enough water for coho salmon to survive, a violation of the Endangered Species Act. They want the judge to order a new biological opinion, and order higher water flows.
The Klamath County commissioners will be asked Tuesday to approve a brief, and Keppen said he'll be asking commissioners in the California counties of Modoc and Siskiyou to follow suit.
In February, the Trinity County board voted to support the lawsuit, along with five other northern California counties.
Keppen said Basin farmers fear that a temporary restraining order could shut them down and are fighting back by gathering support from interested parties such as county and state governments.
He doesn't like this kind of fight.
"It tangles us up in court and keeps us from getting at a workable solution," said Keppen.
The Klamath County Board of Commissioners meet 9 a.m. every Tuesday at the Klamath Government Building located at 305 Main St., Room 219. The meeting can be viewed live in Klamath Falls on cable channel 3. The meeting is also rebroadcast 7 p.m. the following day. County Commissioner Office at 883-5100.
By JENNIFER BATES
Klamath Basin water users fear that a lawsuit in California could mean they'll have no water.
Dan Keppen, executive director of the Klamath Water Users Association, says he's seeking support from county commissioners in the form of friend-of-the-court briefs as irrigators try to fend off a temporary restraining order.
"Water could be cut off from farmers this spring," Keppen said.
The suit is against the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in U.S. District Court in Oakland, Calif. It is expected to be heard April 29.
It was filed in April, 2002 and modified after 33,000 salmon died in the Klamath River in September.
Downstream fishery groups, tribes and environmentalists say the Bureau's operating plan doesn't provide enough water for coho salmon to survive, a violation of the Endangered Species Act. They want the judge to order a new biological opinion, and order higher water flows.
The Klamath County commissioners will be asked Tuesday to approve a brief, and Keppen said he'll be asking commissioners in the California counties of Modoc and Siskiyou to follow suit.
In February, the Trinity County board voted to support the lawsuit, along with five other northern California counties.
Keppen said Basin farmers fear that a temporary restraining order could shut them down and are fighting back by gathering support from interested parties such as county and state governments.
He doesn't like this kind of fight.
"It tangles us up in court and keeps us from getting at a workable solution," said Keppen.
The Klamath County Board of Commissioners meet 9 a.m. every Tuesday at the Klamath Government Building located at 305 Main St., Room 219. The meeting can be viewed live in Klamath Falls on cable channel 3. The meeting is also rebroadcast 7 p.m. the following day. County Commissioner Office at 883-5100.
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