Klamath Falls, Ore. – A agreement which would have provided water sharing for off-Project irrigators in the Klamath Basin has expired.
The Upper Klamath Basin Comprehensive Agreement was signed in April of 2014.
Klamath Tribal Chairman Don Gentry explains the purpose of the UKBCA: “The Upper Klamath Basin Agreement was a water management agreement that was built out of the KBRA.”
But, Congress failed to pass the KBRA, or Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement by a deadline two years ago.
Gentry says when the legislation didn’t move on that agreement, it was essentially terminated on its own conditions. “That basically meant that the Upper Basin Agreement couldn’t be implemented.”
“I think when the KBRA failed, there was a hangover, if you will.” Notes Klamath Water Users Association Executive Director Scott White. “And a lot of folks weren’t sure quite where to go from there.”
The agreements included active provisions for a least some irrigation water, even in dry years.
Those safeguards are no longer in place – and current mountain snowpack levels in the Klamath Basin are only at 33% of average.
Chairman Gentry says it’s likely the Tribes will be exercising their senior water rights. “We will be calling for regulation to protect and provide for our treaty resources, which would mean it’s going to be pretty difficult for ag if things don’t change – in terms of the outlook for precipitation and snowpack.”
Klamath Tribal members are scheduled to meet on the ninth and tenth of this month to discuss water issues, but those meetings are not open to the general public.
“We are going to bring them up to speed on all the issues around water.” Notes Gentry. “The current status of the Klamath Basin adjudication.”
There are currently no negotiations underway to develop any new water agreements.
But Water Users Director Scott White is still optimistic. “I personally believe that there is a solution out there – what that looks like, I’m not sure.”
KOTI-TV NBC2 reporter Lyle Ahrens moved from Nebraska to Klamath Falls in the late 1970’s. He instantly fell in love with the mountains, the trees and the rivers, and never once regretted the move.Lyle’s job history is quite colorful.
He’s managed a pizza parlor; he’s been a bartender, and a “kiwifruit grader” at an organic orchard in New Zealand. A Klamath Falls radio station hired Lyle in the mid 90’s as a news writer and commercial producer. In 2004, Lyle joined the KOTI/KOBI news operation.Lyle notes with pride that he has a big responsibility presenting the Klamath Basin to a wide and varied audience.
“The on-going water crisis has underscored the fact that the people and the issues in the Klamath Basin are every bit as diverse as the terrain. Winning and keeping the trust of the viewers, as well as the newsmakers, is something I strive for with each story”.
When he’s not busy reporting the news, Lyle enjoys astronomy, playing guitar, fixing old radios and listening to anything by Sheryl Crow.
