The Department of the Interior has come to an agreement with Klamath Basin stakeholders to restore the basin ecosystem and improve water supply reliability for agriculture.
The Klamath Tribes, Yurok Tribe, Karuk Tribe and Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to work together to advance shared restoration goals. The MOU sets a plan to secure funding for restoration projects to improve water quality, stability and reliability.
In addition to the MOU, the Interior announced more than $72 million in new investments, secured from funding in the Investing in America agenda.
“The next few years will be critical to securing funding and completing restoration efforts in the Klamath Basin, so this agreement will help us work together and streamline the various interests and objectives we all have,” said KWUA Board President Tracey Liskey in a statement.
The stakeholders all agreed to meet within the next 30 days (from Feb. 14) to identify projects that can be completed within two years using existing funding. Within 60 days, the groups will send a letter to federal agencies identifying the prioritized projects.
“We’ve been talking to the Department of Interior about the need for ecosystem restoration for decades,” said Klamath Tribes Chairman Clayton Dumont in a statement. “It just so happens that funding is available this year.”
The Department of the Interior has agreed to identify sources of funding for the projects and work with federal agencies to secure additional funding and streamline processes.
“I am hoping that this MOU will be the first step to bring all the different entities together to work on a solution to the conflicts over water that have hampered this region for decades,” Liskey said. “The water users want fish in our rivers and lakes and water in our irrigation ditches. This way, we all can have a prosperous way of life in the basin.”
The KWUA Board of Directors voted to approve the MOU in December and Secretary Deb Haaland signed it on Jan. 29.
“Following months of consultation and discussions, we’re proud to formalize this partnership with Tribes and irrigators and make a shared commitment that will benefit the forests, watersheds, agriculture and abundant populations of migratory bird and fish species that are unique to this Basin,” Haaland said in a statement.
In addition to the MOU and funding announcements, the Interior also unveiled the Klamath Basin Drought Resilience Keystone Initiative. The initiative supports listed species recovery, new habitat for fish and birds, and “rethinking the way water moves across the Klamath Basin.”
Restoration efforts
The MOU outlines a series of objectives, including prioritizing projects that preserve, provide or improve fish and wildlife habitat, water quality and conveyance, drought resilience and the health of natural systems.
After short-term projects are prioritized, the groups will work to identify longer-term projects to be completed over the next 3-5 years.
Of the $72 million allocated toward ecosystem restoration and ag infrastructure modernization, $64 million is dedicated to restoring the ecosystem, including completing the Klamath Falls National Fish Hatchery. Tribes are also receiving funding to support a sucker-rearing program, with $1 million allocated annually over a five-year period.
“This is a stopgap measure as we continue to restore water quality and habitat in Upper Klamath Lake and move towards a healthier ecosystem that will support sucker survival and recruitment, eventually leading to harvestable numbers of c’waam and koptu,” Klamath Tribes Ambodat Director Mark Buettner said.
Of the $64 million, $25 million will be made available for restoration projects that will help resolve ongoing water-related challenges, the Interior said. A total of $4 million will be provided to support a wetland restoration project at Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge. $1.8 million will be allocated for a feasibility study on modifications to water supply infrastructure in the Klamath Drainage district for fish, wildlife and farms.
The Bureau of Reclamation is also establishing a drought resilience program for basins experiencing long-term drought. In addition, Reclamation will announce additional funding in the coming months to address water supply and demand, and infrastructure needs.
“Although the $72 million allocated by the Department of the Interior is a significant infusion of funding for ecosystem restoration … much more is needed to completely restore the Upper Klamath Basin to what it once was during tribal times prior to agricultural development,” the Klamath Tribes said. — Anna Miller, WLJ managing editor
