March 15, 2002     Print-Friendly Version

Walden Highlights Differences Between Walden, Wyden-Smith Farm Bill Amendments to Address Klamath Basin Water Crisis

Walden Amendment incorporates recommendations of Biological Assessment, National Academy of Sciences report, and creation of Federal Working Group 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Greg Walden (R-OR) today unveiled a comprehensive proposal to ensure delivery of irrigation water to farmers and ranchers in the Klamath Basin and make critical habitat recovery efforts for endangered species in the Basin.  Walden’s proposal would amend the 2002 Farm Bill to provide specific direction for the use of $175 million included in the Senate version of the bill to address the water crisis in the Klamath Basin.  

“This proposal builds on the Wyden-Smith amendment to make sure that the money is spent on projects in the Basin that will improve water quality and quantity with the objective of making sure farmers and ranchers get the water they deserve.  It fully respects the treaty rights of the Tribes and the legal requirements of the Endangered Species Act,” said Walden.   

Walden’s amendment is being introduced to bring the Farm Bill provisions relating to the Klamath Basin up to date with a number of developments that have occurred since the introduction of the amendment being supported by Senator Ron Wyden and Senator Gordon Smith.  The Wyden-Smith proposal was introduced prior to the release of the recent Biological Assessment (BA) by the Bureau of Reclamation, as well as the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) report on the Klamath Basin, both of which identify a number of recovery efforts to increase water quality and quantity in the Basin.  The Wyden-Smith proposal has not been updated to reflect the recommendations contained in these documents.  

“A number of significant developments have occurred since the Senate approved funding for the Klamath Basin in the Farm Bill,” said Walden.  “We have an opportunity to streamline the process and better target the funds toward projects that will directly improve habitat, water quality and water quantity.” 

Walden’s plan would reauthorize the Upper Klamath Basin Working Group and provide it with the authority to make grant recommendations on up to $30 million in local projects.  The Walden proposal would also provide $20 million to the Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs) in the Basin, which are led by locally elected officials and provide services to develop water and soil conservation programs.  This arrangement would allow for the acquisition of farmland by the RCDs that could be leased-back or purchased by farmers and used to produce crops that demand less water. 

Walden’s proposal also calls for numerous provisions that are not addressed in the Senate proposal.  Specifically, the Walden amendment directs riparian restoration in the Winema and Fremont National Forests, improved flows and habitat conditions on Klamath River tributaries, the creation of a hatchery for the endangered sucker fish in Upper Klamath Lake, a pilot oxygenation study, and mitigation for the loss of family wells in the Klamath Basin community.  Walden’s amendment also directs water banking as proposed in the 2002 BA to increase water availability in drought years, which is not proposed in the Wyden Amendment. 

The Walden amendment incorporates the recommendations contained in the February, 2002, BA to protect endangered species in the Basin.  None of these provisions are found in the Wyden-Smith proposal.  Walden’s amendment also directs a study of fish passage issues at Chiloquin Dam, which blocks up to 95 percent of sucker fish passage on the Sprague River, as well as the reimbursement of operations and maintenance fees to Klamath Basin irrigators who were denied water last year.  These provisions are identical to legislation introduced by Congressman Walden last year and unanimously passed in the U.S. House.  The Senate has failed to act on either measure. 

“Let’s not forget that this is the Farm Bill, and the purpose of what we do in the Farm Bill is to make sure that we have a vibrant agricultural economy in the Klamath Basin and throughout this county.  If we take the steps I’m proposing, we’ll improve fish habitat, we’ll improve water quality and quantity, and we’ll improve the health of the national wildlife refuges.  Everyone comes out a winner.” 

To view a side-by-side document highlighting differences between the Walden and Wyden-Smith amendments to the 2002 Farm Bill, please click on the following link: http://www.walden.house.gov/issues/klamath/waldenwydensidebyside.pdf.

Congressman Walden represents the Second Congressional District of Oregon, which includes the 20 counties of southern, central and eastern Oregon. Rep. Walden is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the the House Committee on Resources.