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Efforts to reach understanding deserve thanks
published August 6, 2003
Some water-dependent groups of people have been trying to see things from the other's point of view, even though their aims conflict. This effort won't eliminate tensions about streamflows on the Klamath River or water levels in Upper Klamath Lake, but it can reduce them. The people who organize such things deserve credit and thanks.
In recent days, two contingents from the lower Klamath River visited the Klamath Falls area. A group from the Klamath Falls area will head down to the lower river next month to visit coastal communities, for whom fishing is important to their economy and culture.
Farming in the upper Klamath Basin and fishing in the lower Basin compete for Klamath River water, and it helps in dealing with that to realize there are human beings on both ends of the pipeline.
Farmers in the Klamath Reclamation Project depend on irrigation water from Upper Klamath Lake for their fields. Fishermen and tribal members on the lower Klamath River, which originates at Upper Klamath Lake, want more water flowing down the Klamath River to help fish runs.
Water used for irrigation is water not available for downstream, and, more water going downstream can mean less water for farmers. That reality has created contentious relations between farmers and downstream fishermen, just as hard feelings have sometimes developed between farmers and local tribal members, who want to keep Upper Klamath Lake levels high to benefit sucker fish.
Last week commissioners from Oregon's Coos and Curry counties visited the Klamath Reclamation Project. They toured the canals and pump projects that make the project one of the most complex reclamation endeavors in the United States. They talked to farmers and others whose livelihoods depend on irrigation water that is stored in Upper Klamath Lake. In return, fishermen, explained things from their point of view, and what the loss of fish and fishing has meant to them and their communities.
Last week's visit was organized by the Klamath Water Users Association and the Klamath Management Zone Fisheries Association.
In mid-July, young members of the Yurkok Tribe from the lower Klamath River region visited the Basin for a similar tour. That was primarily organized by Don Gentry, Klamath Tribes natural resources specialist, and Rich England, Yurok Tribe counselor.
These visits don't create more water. They don't resolve the basic conflicts about water that's has been over-promised, or the strictures of the Endangered Species Act, or the needs of people at both ends of the Klamath River. But they can create good will and understanding that make it easier to reach accommodations with each other's needs, and perhaps do it without chewing up so much time and money through court cases.
The "H&N view" represents the opinion of the newspaper's editorial board, which consists of Publisher John Walker, Editor Tim Fought, City Editor Todd Kepple and Opinion Editor Pat Bushey.
Some water-dependent groups of people have been trying to see things from the other's point of view, even though their aims conflict. This effort won't eliminate tensions about streamflows on the Klamath River or water levels in Upper Klamath Lake, but it can reduce them. The people who organize such things deserve credit and thanks.
In recent days, two contingents from the lower Klamath River visited the Klamath Falls area. A group from the Klamath Falls area will head down to the lower river next month to visit coastal communities, for whom fishing is important to their economy and culture.
Farming in the upper Klamath Basin and fishing in the lower Basin compete for Klamath River water, and it helps in dealing with that to realize there are human beings on both ends of the pipeline.
Farmers in the Klamath Reclamation Project depend on irrigation water from Upper Klamath Lake for their fields. Fishermen and tribal members on the lower Klamath River, which originates at Upper Klamath Lake, want more water flowing down the Klamath River to help fish runs.
Water used for irrigation is water not available for downstream, and, more water going downstream can mean less water for farmers. That reality has created contentious relations between farmers and downstream fishermen, just as hard feelings have sometimes developed between farmers and local tribal members, who want to keep Upper Klamath Lake levels high to benefit sucker fish.
Last week commissioners from Oregon's Coos and Curry counties visited the Klamath Reclamation Project. They toured the canals and pump projects that make the project one of the most complex reclamation endeavors in the United States. They talked to farmers and others whose livelihoods depend on irrigation water that is stored in Upper Klamath Lake. In return, fishermen, explained things from their point of view, and what the loss of fish and fishing has meant to them and their communities.
Last week's visit was organized by the Klamath Water Users Association and the Klamath Management Zone Fisheries Association.
In mid-July, young members of the Yurkok Tribe from the lower Klamath River region visited the Basin for a similar tour. That was primarily organized by Don Gentry, Klamath Tribes natural resources specialist, and Rich England, Yurok Tribe counselor.
These visits don't create more water. They don't resolve the basic conflicts about water that's has been over-promised, or the strictures of the Endangered Species Act, or the needs of people at both ends of the Klamath River. But they can create good will and understanding that make it easier to reach accommodations with each other's needs, and perhaps do it without chewing up so much time and money through court cases.
The "H&N view" represents the opinion of the newspaper's editorial board, which consists of Publisher John Walker, Editor Tim Fought, City Editor Todd Kepple and Opinion Editor Pat Bushey.
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