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You are here: Home / Updates / Conservation & Ag Groups Speak Up For Birds

Conservation & Ag Groups Speak Up For Birds

July 19, 2018 by StopWaterWars Leave a Comment

Yesterday, July 18th, nearly 20 conservation groups, irrigation districts and agriculture-related groups sent a letter to Interior Secretary, Ryan Zinke.

Their concern? The impact to wildlife refuges and waterfowl should the plaintiffs prevail in their litigation that will be heard tomorrow, July 20th, in a San Francisco courtroom. The Klamath Basin is an important stop for migrating birds on the Pacific Flyway, so much so that in 1908, via executive order President Teddy Roosevelt established the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge (NWR).

“Tragically, due to the Upper Basin’s extremely limited surface water supply, combined with the regulatory actions called out by the BiOp, very little Project water is available for wetland habitat management or to grow beneficial food crops for waterfowl on these refuges in even the wettest of water years. Lower Klamath NWR last received water in mid-December 2017 and – due to current drought conditions, BiOp constraints and court ordered requirements – there are currently no water deliveries scheduled for the refuge. ”

The letter also goes into the impact this would cause for tourism as birdwatchers and hunters numbers go elsewhere.

Many of us are aware of the negative impact this litigation will have on our communities, but sometimes forget the impact on everything in this Basin. We’re happy to see others speaking out in support of Klamath Basin wildlife.

To learn more, read the PDF versions of the press release sent out by these groups as well as their letter to Secretary of the Department of the Interior, Ryan Zinke.

 

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Why July 20th Matters to Everyone in The Klamath Basin

On July 20th, life in the Klamath Basin for families, local businesses, wildlife and our communities could change forever. Litigation seeking a preliminary injunction to stop all Klamath Project irrigation diversions immediately and hold the water in Upper Klamath Lake has been filed. If successful, this lawsuit would affect Klamath agriculture, fish and wildlife (including severe impacts to Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge), the Klamath River, the Klamath Basin economony, local businesses, and the social fabric of the region.

Our short-term goal is to increase awareness in our community regarding these impacts. Although community members cannot affect the outcome of this litigation, we hope to use this dire situation to form a coalition of diverse business and social interests in the Klamath Basin to demand long term, permanent solutions to water issues affecting our community.

How Can You Help?

Educate yourself on how this litigation will affect your family and livelihood should it prevail on July 20th. Our community needs to realize this doesn’t only affect Klamath Basin family farms and ranches, but communities in Klamath, Siskiyou and Modoc Counties and throughout the Klamath River watershed.

Who We Are

We are a group of citizens and community interests that are working towards finding a solution to end the ongoing “Water Wars”. Learn about StopWaterWars.org and what our goal is.

How You Can Help

Want to learn what you can do to help find a solution? Educate yourself on how the current litigation will affect you community and get your voice heard.

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Updates

  • Though Judge Ruled, Work Needs To Be Done Now
  • No Decision Doesn’t Mean There’s Nothing To Be Done
  • Conservation & Ag Groups Speak Up For Birds
  • Counties, Tribe and Supporters File In Support of Feds
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