KWUA update 071604

Klamath Water Users Association
2455 Patterson Street, Suite 3
Klamath Falls, Oregon 97603
Phone (541) 883-6100
FAX (541) 883-8893
kwua@cvcwireless.net

Weekly Update
July 16, 2004

Water Focus on Klamath Falls: Two Key Events Planned in the Next Four Days

Water will be the focus of two high profile events scheduled to occur in the next four days in Klamath Falls. Tomorrow, a congressional field hearing is planned that will address a National Academy of Sciences (NAS) report that could act as a blueprint for change in the Klamath River watershed. On Tuesday, July 20^th, the Governor Kulongoski will be honored at the 50^th Annual Meeting of the Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA) at Reames Country Club. A common theme will be likely be interwoven into both events: the need to employ a collaborative, watershed-based approach to solving the fishery challenges of the Klamath River watershed, using many of the recommendations put forth in the NAS report.

"We hope the NAS report can be used as a catalyst to improve the collaboration required to address the basin-wide problems we face," KWUA noted in testimony submitted to Congress last week. "We know we can develop locally derived solutions to address most of the NAS report recommendations."

The House Resources Committee will hold a field hearing tomorrow in Klamath Falls on the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The hearing, to be held at 9:00 a.m. at the Ross Ragland Theater in downtown Klamath Falls, will cover the ESA's impact on the Klamath Project, one of the nation's oldest federal irrigation projects.

A recent report completed by the NAS National Research Council (NRC) on Klamath River fishes will also be addressed at the hearing. Local community leaders are preparing for this important event, and are organizing a pre-hearing rally in Klamath Falls (see related information, pages 2-3).

Water Focus on K Falls: Two Key Events Planned in the Next Four Days (Cont’d)

Earlier this week, it was learned that Congressman George Radanovich (R-CA), who represents Central Valley Project irrigators near Fresno, will be the fifth congressman in attendance at the hearing. He will join Rep. Ken Calvert, Rep. Wally Herger, Rep. John Doolittle, and Rep. Greg Walden tomorrow in Klamath Falls.

Three days later, as part of a two-day visit to Klamath Falls, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski will be honored by local water users at KWUA’s 50^th Annual Meeting. The meeting will be held at the Reames Golf and Country Club in Klamath Falls on Tuesday, July 20, 2004. The Governor also will be meeting with the Klamath Tribes and the Hatfield Group on July 21, 2004, as part of his ongoing efforts to further dialogue and bring long-term resolution to Klamath Basin water issues.

"It is an honor to us and a testimony to his commitment to our Basin that Governor Kulongoski is coming to our meeting", said Dan Keppen, KWUA Executive Director. "We want to publicly thank him for his efforts to promote the economic, social and environmental viability of the agricultural community served by the Klamath Irrigation Project. Our fiftieth anniversary is a special occasion, and we’re lucky to have such a special guest attend."

The luncheon buffet will be opened at 11:15 a.m. and the meeting is scheduled to begin at noon. The governor will stay for the first hour of a 90-minute program. A meeting agenda is shown on page 2 of this update.

Continued on page 2

Klamath Water Users Association
2455 Patterson Street, Suite 3
Klamath Falls, Oregon 97603
Phone (541) 883-6100
FAX (541) 883-8893
kwua@cvcwireless.net

Weekly Update
Ju;y 16, 2004

KWUA 50^th Annual Meeting Agenda

Tuesday, July 20, 2004
Reames Golf and Country Club
4201 Highway 97 S, Klamath Falls

11:15 a.m. Begin Buffet Service for Lunch
12:00 p.m. Begin Program

Welcome - Mark Campbell, KWUA Vice-President. Invocation - Claude Hagerty, Malin, Oregon.
Pledge of Allegiance - Claude Hagerty.
Introductions - Mark Campbell.
Short Documentary Film- "Where the Water Goes" - Donald Haynes, OIT. Video of the Governor’s 2003 Visit to Klamath Falls –Anders Tomlinson.
Introduction of Gov. Kulongoski: Sheriff Tim Evinger.
Remarks: Gov. Kulongoski.
Presentation of Award to Governor: Steve Kandra, KWUA President.
President's Address: Steve Kandra, KWUA President.
Executive Director's Address: Dan Keppen, KWUA Executive Director.

1:05 p.m. KWUA Consultant Updates:

Water Supply – including Long Lake and the draft U.S. Bureau of Reclamation study on "naturalized" Upper Basin flow conditions. (Marc Van Camp, MBK Engineers, Sacramento, California)
Legal Update - (Paul Simmons, Somach, Simmons and Dunn, Sacramento, CA)
Washington, D.C. Political Update - (Jeff Eisenberg, Washington, D.C.)
2006 Power Rate- (Larry Cable, Cable Huston Benedict Haagensen & Lloyd. Portland, OR)

1:30 p.m. Questions and Answers
1:45 p.m. "Fields of Splendor" – film excerpts from Anders Tomlinson.
Closing Remarks - Lon Baley, KWUA Secretary-Treasurer

PLEASE RSVP WITH BROOKE HEINEY AT KWUA: (541)-883-6100

March Through Klamath Falls and Rally Scheduled Before Field Hearing

Local community leaders are organizing a pre-hearing rally in Klamath Falls that will begin with an early morning march through the streets of the city. Several logging, recreation, and agricultural groups are involved with putting this together. The procession will feature farmers, loggers, community youth organizations, and over 40 mounted horsemen. The group will proceed to the Ross Ragland Theatre for a pre-hearing rally.

Itinerary: July 17^th March & Rally

7:00 a.m. - Gather @ Veteran’s Park in Klamath Falls

7:25 a.m. - March to Ross Ragland

7:45 a.m. - Rally - with invited speakers

8:40 a.m. – Doors Open to Theatre

The Ross Ragland Theatre is located at 218 N. 7^th Street in downtown Klamath Falls. The street area in front of the theatre will be cordoned off to accommodate pedestrian traffic.

The speakers invited to the rally represent a diversified group of resource managers and policy makers involved with Klamath River issues. Klamath watershed farmers, timber companies and fishermen – from Crater Lake to the Pacific Ocean - have completed an impressive array of conservation measures in the past decade. These hardworking rural Americans know that more actions can, and will, be taken – but incentives and regulatory relief to landowners, rather than more regulations – should drive these measures.

Continued on page 3

Klamath Water Users Association
2455 Patterson Street, Suite 3
Klamath Falls, Oregon 97603
Phone (541) 883-6100
FAX (541) 883-8893
kwua@cvcwireless.net

Weekly Update
July 16, 2004

July 17, 2004 Rally at
the Ross Ragland Theatre

Speeches Will Begin Between 7:45-8:00 a.m.

Master of Ceremonies:

John Elliott, Klamath County Board of Commissioners.

The speakers:

The Honorable Doug LaMalfa, California State Assembly, Sacramento, California.

Barry Bushue, President, Oregon Farm Bureau Federation, Salem, Oregon.

Dan Keppen, Klamath Water Users Association, Klamath Falls, Oregon.

Bill Krum, Save our Scott and Shasta Valleys and Towns (SOSS), Yreka, California.

Bill Pauli, President, California Farm Bureau Federation, Sacramento, California.

Rob Rivett, Pacific Legal Foundation, Sacramento, California.

Elliott Schwarz, Rural Resource Alliance, Brookings, Oregon.

Craig Smith, Family Farm Alliance, Salem, Oregon.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Saturday, July 17, 2004 - House Resources Committee Field Hearing. 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Ross Ragland Theater, Klamath Falls, Oregon.
Tuesday, July 20, 2004 – KWUA 50^th Annual Meeting. Reames Golf Course and Country Club. Lunch will be served starting at 11:15 a.m.; the program begins at noon.
Thursday, July 29, 2004 – University of California Intermountain Research & Extension Center Field Day. 8:30 a.m. Tulelake, California. This year’s field day and tour will feature ongoing irrigation research. Lunch will be provided by the Klamath Basin Hay Growers Association.