Klamath Pact Promises Cooperative Approach
By Matthew Daly, Associated Press
October 14, 2004

WASHINGTON — The Bush administration and the governors of California and Oregon said yesterday they have agreed to work together to resolve water issues in the drought-stricken Klamath Basin.

Interior Secretary Gale Norton said the agreement would help the two states and four federal agencies as they work with farmers, Indian tribes, fishermen, conservationists and other groups that use the chronically dry basin along the California-Oregon border.

"The people of the Klamath Basin cherish the land and its natural beauty and desire to hand their way of life down to future generations," Norton said. "Together, we have an opportunity to work toward a vision that includes clear waters, abundant fisheries, increased waterfowl, a vibrant agricultural community, and an end to the legal fighting ... ."

The new Klamath River Watershed Coordination Agreement expands on a 2-1/2-year-old effort among federal agencies that deal with Klamath issues. A Cabinet-level working group, headed by Norton, includes representatives of the Interior, Commerce and Agriculture departments, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency.

Leaders of all four agencies have pledged to work together to ensure that farmers in the Klamath Basin have access to sufficient water, while complying with Indian trust obligations and protecting salmon and other threatened fish.

The new agreement builds on that work by including the two states in the process, Norton and other speakers said in a teleconference with reporters.

In a change, the states will take a lead role on Klamath issues, and federal agencies will join them as they try to resolve disputes over water quantity and quality, as well as fish-and-wildlife resource problems, Norton said.

No federal or state agency will give up any budgetary or other authority as a result of the agreement.

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