Tri-Counties Thank Basin Partners for Collaboration to Deliver Water to Wildlife Refuges
KLAMATH COUNTY, OR and SISKIYOU AND MODOC COUNTIES, CA (Tri-Counties) - The Tri-Counties express their deep appreciation to the many Klamath Basin partners whose collaboration is helping deliver critically needed water to the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges.
Just weeks ago, the Tri-Counties called on Basin partners to act before another wildlife disaster unfolded at Tule Lake and Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuges, where worsening conditions and avian botulism threatened migratory waterfowl. Today, water is moving to the refuges as a result of close coordination among the Bureau of Reclamation, federal fisheries agencies, Klamath Water Users Association and its member districts, Tribal governments, Ducks Unlimited, California Waterfowl Association, local counties, and other Basin partners.
“We asked everyone with a stake in the future of the Klamath Basin to look for opportunities to work together, and we are grateful that so many people answered that call. Their commitment to this Basin has been demonstrated once again,” said Derrick DeGroot, Klamath County Commissioner.
The Tri-Counties recognize that reaching this point required contributions from across the Basin. Federal agencies worked with Basin partners to identify opportunities within existing requirements as in-season conditions changes, Tribal governments and conservation organizations remained engaged in the process, and KWUA and irrigation districts worked through the realities of a significantly reduced water year.
It is an example of the adaptive water management and continued engagement the Tri-Counties have long encouraged.
The immediate refuge deliveries also build on the momentum surrounding the proposed Tule Lake Flow-Through Pilot. While these deliveries are not implementation of the full pilot, the Tri-Counties view them as an important step forward. Work on Flow-Through continues, with the hope that elements of the concept can be implemented as conditions allow and expanded in the future.
"This is what collaboration looks like, and it is what our Basin needs more of,” said Michael Kobseff, Siskiyou County Supervisor. “Now we need to build on this progress and continue working toward long-term solutions for wildlife, agriculture, fisheries, water quality, and our rural communities.”
For additional information about the refuge water deliveries and the collaborative effort that made them possible, please see the Klamath Water Users Association’s August 19 press release, “Collaboration Delivers Critical Water to Klamath Basin Wildlife Refuges,” available here: Collaboration Delivers Critical Water to Klamath Basin Wildlife Refuges - KWUA
The Tri-Counties — Klamath County Commissioner Derrick DeGroot, Siskiyou County Supervisors Michael Kobseff and Jess Harris, and Modoc County Supervisors Geri Byrne and Ned Coe — represent Klamath, Modoc and Siskiyou Counties, home to world-renowned national wildlife refuges and one of the oldest federal irrigation projects in the Western United States.
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