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Congressional Delegation ponders ranch purchase
By LEE JUILLERAT
Members of Oregon's congressional delegation are cautiously giving support to a proposal to place the Barnes Ranch in public ownership.
Representatives of the American Land Conservancy earlier this month announced the organization has obtained an option to buy the 2,785-acre ranch near Fort Klamath. Under the agreement, the ALC will hold the option until the federal government decides whether to buy the property for slightly more than $9 million.
The land is seen as a key by federal agencies to providing water storage in the Upper Klamath Basin.
Last June, Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Gordon Smith and Rep. Greg Walden sent a letter to President Bush urging purchase of the ranch. So far, however, the reaction has been guarded.
"The senator feels it must be evaluated against other funding needs in the Basin," said Carolyn Barnes, a press representative for Smith. "The senator will be looking to the working group and the Klamath Basin Water Users for direction."
Josh Kardon, Wyden's chief of staff, is optimistic but said concerns need to be addressed.
"The acquisition of the Barnes Ranch remains a priority for Sen. Wyden because it was one of the issues Congressman Walden and the two senators agreed to last year," said Kardon. "We need to make certain the acquisition money comes from an appropriate source and that the management of the property works for the people and the environment."
Rep. Greg Walden is also cautiously positive.
"The Barnes Ranch clearly holds promise for additional water storage capacity in the Basin, which is why Sens. Smith and Wyden and I originally advocated for it last year," said Walden. "Acquiring it is certainly an option that the federal government should explore further.
"However," he cautioned, "as difficult as it is for two parties to come to terms on an agreement, an even more difficult task is to achieve funding for it. Nevertheless, I will continue to work diligently with Smith and Wyden toward that end. Of course, this proposal is only one piece of a much larger puzzle to bring long-term stability to the Klamath Basin.
"While much work remains for the federal government, we've had a number of successes over the past year in getting many positive initiatives for the Basin signed into law," said Walden.
He cited successful efforts to get $50 million in the Farm Bill for water conservation, $20 million in emergency relief, authorization for $4 million in refunds for operations and maintenance costs paid into a project that delivered very little water, and the study to improve fish passage at Chiloquin Dam.
Representatives of the American Land Conservancy earlier this month announced the organization has obtained an option to buy the 2,785-acre ranch near Fort Klamath. Under the agreement, the ALC will hold the option until the federal government decides whether to buy the property for slightly more than $9 million.
The land is seen as a key by federal agencies to providing water storage in the Upper Klamath Basin.
Last June, Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Gordon Smith and Rep. Greg Walden sent a letter to President Bush urging purchase of the ranch. So far, however, the reaction has been guarded.
"The senator feels it must be evaluated against other funding needs in the Basin," said Carolyn Barnes, a press representative for Smith. "The senator will be looking to the working group and the Klamath Basin Water Users for direction."
Josh Kardon, Wyden's chief of staff, is optimistic but said concerns need to be addressed.
"The acquisition of the Barnes Ranch remains a priority for Sen. Wyden because it was one of the issues Congressman Walden and the two senators agreed to last year," said Kardon. "We need to make certain the acquisition money comes from an appropriate source and that the management of the property works for the people and the environment."
Rep. Greg Walden is also cautiously positive.
"The Barnes Ranch clearly holds promise for additional water storage capacity in the Basin, which is why Sens. Smith and Wyden and I originally advocated for it last year," said Walden. "Acquiring it is certainly an option that the federal government should explore further.
"However," he cautioned, "as difficult as it is for two parties to come to terms on an agreement, an even more difficult task is to achieve funding for it. Nevertheless, I will continue to work diligently with Smith and Wyden toward that end. Of course, this proposal is only one piece of a much larger puzzle to bring long-term stability to the Klamath Basin.
"While much work remains for the federal government, we've had a number of successes over the past year in getting many positive initiatives for the Basin signed into law," said Walden.
He cited successful efforts to get $50 million in the Farm Bill for water conservation, $20 million in emergency relief, authorization for $4 million in refunds for operations and maintenance costs paid into a project that delivered very little water, and the study to improve fish passage at Chiloquin Dam.
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