Print Version
Email this story
Comment
Governor's aide pays local visit
published March 27, 2003
By JENNIFER BATES
An aide to Gov. Ted Kulongoski visited Klamath Falls Wednesday, and was sent back to Salem with a request that the governor take a stand in a lawsuit over Klamath Basin water.
A public meeting was held at the Klamath County Government Center where community leaders met with Ray Naff, director of intergovernmental relations for the governor.
Naff told local leaders he was there to start effective working relations between state and local government.
"This is a partnership. I'm here to listen," he said.
Harold Hartman, a member of the Klamath Water Users Association, told Naff the uncertainty of water allocation is having a negative impact on farmers economically because farmers cannot make plans.
"Our concern is uncertainty. What's next?" he said.
Commissioner Al Switzer confirmed Hartman's statements. He told Naff that bankers are hesitant to give operating loans to some growers, and contract farmers are getting nervous about crop orders.
"The farmers cannot say if they are going to get water or not, and these contractors can buy potatoes from farmers somewhere else," Switzer said.
Naff was informed of a lawsuit against the Bureau of Reclamation filed in U.S. District Court in Oakland, Calif. It is expected to be heard on April 29.
The suit was filed in April 2002 and modified after an estimated 33,000 fish in the Klamath River died last September.
Fishery groups, tribes and environmentalists say the bureau's water distribution plan doesn't provide enough water for endangered coho salmon to survive.
To fend off any possible restraining orders stemming from the suit, which could stop the flow of water to farmers, the Klamath Water Users Association has sought support in the form of friend-of-the-court briefs.
So far, briefs have been filed in support of the farmers from Klamath, Modoc and Siskiyou counties.
Commissioner Steve West told Naff the previous governor, John Kitzhaber, was "missing in action" during the 2001 water crisis.
West said Kulongoski should support the farmers by filing a brief also.
During the three-hour meeting, local government agency leaders told Naff what other challengers face the Klamath Basin area as a result of the recent budget cuts.
Some local agency leaders included Klamath County District Attorney Ed Caleb; Ann Lynn, director of Klamath County Mental Health; Woody Pollock, Klamath County Undersheriff; Captain Chris Montenaro, Klamath County Jail; and Steve Berger, community corrections director.
Naff told the group Kulongoski is going to be an accessible leader for all of Oregon and that the governor is coming to Klamath Falls in about one month. This is one of many visits the governor plans to make to the Basin.
After the public meeting, Naff also met privately with Klamath Falls Mayor Todd Kellstrom. He also met privately with Dave Davis, superintendent of the Klamath County School District.
By JENNIFER BATES
An aide to Gov. Ted Kulongoski visited Klamath Falls Wednesday, and was sent back to Salem with a request that the governor take a stand in a lawsuit over Klamath Basin water.
A public meeting was held at the Klamath County Government Center where community leaders met with Ray Naff, director of intergovernmental relations for the governor.
Naff told local leaders he was there to start effective working relations between state and local government.
"This is a partnership. I'm here to listen," he said.
Harold Hartman, a member of the Klamath Water Users Association, told Naff the uncertainty of water allocation is having a negative impact on farmers economically because farmers cannot make plans.
"Our concern is uncertainty. What's next?" he said.
Commissioner Al Switzer confirmed Hartman's statements. He told Naff that bankers are hesitant to give operating loans to some growers, and contract farmers are getting nervous about crop orders.
"The farmers cannot say if they are going to get water or not, and these contractors can buy potatoes from farmers somewhere else," Switzer said.
Naff was informed of a lawsuit against the Bureau of Reclamation filed in U.S. District Court in Oakland, Calif. It is expected to be heard on April 29.
The suit was filed in April 2002 and modified after an estimated 33,000 fish in the Klamath River died last September.
Fishery groups, tribes and environmentalists say the bureau's water distribution plan doesn't provide enough water for endangered coho salmon to survive.
To fend off any possible restraining orders stemming from the suit, which could stop the flow of water to farmers, the Klamath Water Users Association has sought support in the form of friend-of-the-court briefs.
So far, briefs have been filed in support of the farmers from Klamath, Modoc and Siskiyou counties.
Commissioner Steve West told Naff the previous governor, John Kitzhaber, was "missing in action" during the 2001 water crisis.
West said Kulongoski should support the farmers by filing a brief also.
During the three-hour meeting, local government agency leaders told Naff what other challengers face the Klamath Basin area as a result of the recent budget cuts.
Some local agency leaders included Klamath County District Attorney Ed Caleb; Ann Lynn, director of Klamath County Mental Health; Woody Pollock, Klamath County Undersheriff; Captain Chris Montenaro, Klamath County Jail; and Steve Berger, community corrections director.
Naff told the group Kulongoski is going to be an accessible leader for all of Oregon and that the governor is coming to Klamath Falls in about one month. This is one of many visits the governor plans to make to the Basin.
After the public meeting, Naff also met privately with Klamath Falls Mayor Todd Kellstrom. He also met privately with Dave Davis, superintendent of the Klamath County School District.
 |
 |
|
| Girard finishes cadet training | More than language taught in Alturas, Cedarville classes |
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of HeraldAndNews.com. Comment Disclaimer: The editors of heraldandnews.com reserve the right to refuse publication of any comment posted for consideration. We may refuse for any reason, including use of profanity, disparaging comments, libelous comments, etc. Any reader who notices a comment they believe is particularly offensive, should notify us at webmaster@heraldandnews.com.
RSS