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Klamath agriculture sends message to rest of Oregon
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6/9/2010
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Article Content Farmers & ranchers challenged by lack of water
Winter and spring storms along the Pacific Coast have seemed to split off as they approach southern Oregon, specifically veering north and south while missing the parched Klamath Basin altogether. For an area dependent on water for irrigation but historically steeped in water-related challenges, the summer of 2010 is just the latest obstacle for a valuable agricultural production area. But local farmers and ranchers are being commended for trying to make the most of a difficult situation.
"The people of the Klamath Basin, in particular the producers, deserve our attention, our respect, and all the help we can give them under the current circumstances," says Katy Coba, director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture. "I'm impressed with the way local farmers and ranchers are trying to move forward when there simply isn't enough water to go around this year. The word ‘challenging' doesn't adequately describe what they are going through. But I am grateful for their hard work and willingness to continue producing under trying circumstances."
Coba and the State Board of Agriculture toured parts of the Klamath Basin last week and heard from a panel of local residents connected to farming and ranching. The tour and panel were organized by the board's newest member, Tracey Liskey- himself a diversified farmer in Klamath County.
"We've been working hard for the past five years on finding solutions to our water crisis," says Liskey. "We've developed some things that, if they work like they are supposed to, will hopefully be an answer. But it will take five to ten years to implement. So we have to make sure we stay whole in the meantime. Everybody has to work for a common goal to get all of us through this."
The Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement (KBRA), years in the making but signed earlier this year, attempts to address all uses and issues surrounding water in the basin. The complex agreement moves towards a settlement that essentially gives agriculture certainty and reliability of future water releases from Upper Klamath Lake even if the amount is less than what irrigators are used to recieving. The KBRA calls for removal of four upper Klamath River dams and attempts to provide certainty for fish, wildlife, and tribes- all dependent on area water. The agreement still needs congressional approval.
"My direction from the people I work for- the irrigators in the Klamath- is that we need a secure and predictable supply of water," says Greg Addington of the Klamath Water Users Association, a group representing 17 districts in the basin that has been actively working on KBRA. "Maybe we can live with less water under certain circumstances if it is more reliable. Right now, it is a challenge. We have worked five years in developing a plan that would avoid a year like the one we are now having. We have had no opportunity to implement the plan. The first year out of the gate, and we get hit with a tough water year."
This year's snowpack in the Klamath Basin has been only about two-thirds of average. Earlier this spring, the federal government announced only about 30 percent of its annual water release from Upper Klamath Lake would be available for agriculture. Both state and federal disaster declarations have been issued, setting up a host of programs to help farmers and ranchers, ranging from low interest loans to direct payments for idling productive land. The Oregon Water Resources Department has been one of several state agencies responding to local needs, including requests for groundwater applications. Wells have been a necessary choice for many irrigators who no longer can rely on surface water from the Klamath. ODA has helped to connect local farmers and ranchers with the appropriate USDA agencies that offer assistance.
"We have been looking for ways to reduce water demand," says Addington. "Funds have been made available to idle land. But we would prefer not to have to take the money. We would rather have the water."
Good or bad, it has always been about water in the Klamath Basin. The federal project originally created more than a century ago was designed to turn about 200,000 acres of land in Oregon and California into a thriving agricultural production area. It actually has succeeded, supplying about 1,200 irrigators in recent years with water from the Klamath lake and river to produce potatoes, onions, mint, grains, alfalfa, and other hay, beef cattle, and even lesser known commodities such as horseradish and strawberry root stock. Commodities produced in the basin have led to contracts with big companies with brand names like Lays and Pringles. In all, Addington says agriculture provides a $600 million benefit to the local and regional economy.
"The message we'd like to get out to Oregonians in other parts of the state is that agriculture is viable in the Klamath Basin," he says. "So often, people think of Klamath in sort of a negative sense- water wars and people fighting over the use of water. But the fact is, we are growing a lot of food that people enjoy every day."
Drought and a federal shutoff of water in 2001 led to protests and extreme hardship in the Klamath Basin. All parties want to avoid a repeat of the tension and despair that blanketed the region nine years ago.
"In some ways, it does feel a bit like 2001," says Liskey. "It was new to us back then, but in 2001, agriculture stayed very united. With some of the processes and solutions being developed now, we've actually divided agriculture up a little bit. We aren't quite as united right now and there are a few more hard feelings among ourselves. But hopefully we can still come through this challenge together- agriculture, local business, fish and wildlife interests, and everyone else in the community. It's going to be tough, but we must do it."
Liskey is pleased the Board of Agriculture was able to see and hear what is happening in the Klamath. He hopes the state will keep pushing federal agencies to work together as they implement the many programs and biological opinions on endangered species that have a great impact on people's livelihoods.
ODA Director Coba agrees.
"We will press for solutions that keep Klamath agriculture viable in the short and long term future."
For more information, contact Bruce Pokarney at (503) 986-4559.
Story of the Week pdf version
http://oregon.gov/ODA/docs/pdf/news/100609klamath.pdf
Audio Story of the Week
http://oregon.gov/ODA/news/100609klamath_audio.shtml
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