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 September 17, 2004 www.kwua.org Klamath Refuge Manager Discusses Refuge Conditions with CWA (Cont’d) National Audubon Society, the Klamath Wing Watchers, and the National Wildlife Refuge Association.  We had many water users offering to donate water to the refuges this fall in case we were short, but because of the great cooperation earlier this year, we hope that won't be necessary. It helps to have such good friends.  Those who worked together on this now have a better understanding how critical the timing of water delivery is to the refuges in order for us to meet our wildlife objectives. Tingley Lake, snow geese, April 1, 2004. Jacqui Krizo photo Optimistic Outlook for the Future Cole: We know that our efforts this year won't solve all of the Klamath Refuge water issues.  But we are optimistic that those in Washington and at other levels in government may take a look at some of the cooperation that is emerging around these refuges.  Whether they do or not, the main thing is that working together, our migratory birds will benefit greatly, as will those of us who enjoy observing, hunting, and hearing the thundering wings of our fall friends as they return again. This has been printed with permission of California Waterfowl Association and Ron Cole.   California Waterfowl Association Plans Tulelake Fundraiser for October 9th The California Waterfowl Association (CWA), staunch supporters of Klamath Basin agriculture and the benefits it provides to ducks and geese, have scheduled their annual Tulelake fundraiser for Saturday, October 9th (see flyer for this event, which is included on page 5 of this update).  Over the years, local interests have worked with conservation groups like CWA and Ducks Unlimited (DU) to take meaningful steps to benefit the refuges and the wildlife that relies upon them. Klamath Project water users, jointly with CWA and DU, have developed and recommended, and offered to help implement, specific measures to improve national wildlife refuge water supplies and Klamath Project wildlife benefits. CWA, Tulelake Irrigation District (TID), University of California Intermountain Research Center, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) have developed a comprehensive sump-crop rotation plan for the lease lands. Tulelake agricultural interests have supported this proposal to enhance wildlife habitat on and adjacent to refuge lands, while improving agricultural values. Water users, CWA and the refuge managers have enjoyed recent successes associated with implementing an integrated program of wetlands and croplands to enhance wildlife values, with an emphasis on waterfowl. Because of cooperation between landowners and the refuge, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is now implementing successful wetland restoration and enhancement programs. According to refuge managers, waterfowl use of the Tule Lake refuge has increased to levels not seen in approximately 25 years.     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 September 17, 2004 www.kwua.org KWUA to Participate in Modoc Uprising The Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA) for the second year in a row will join Modoc County landowners and elected officials in the Modoc County Uprising, an annual event sponsored by the Modoc County Republican Central Committee. The event is open to the public and begins at 1:00 p.m. this Saturday, September 18th, at Likely Place RV and Golf in Likely, California. Retiring State Senator Rico Oller will be attending and the hosts will thank him for his recent service to northern California. Also speaking will be Modoc County Sheriff Bruce Mix, Dan Keppen (KWUA Executive Director), and Dr. Sam Jakim (North Regional Vice Chairman for Bush-Cheney 04). Entertainment and a barbecue dinner will follow speeches. Tickets for the Uprising are $25.00 for adults and $12.00 for children under 12.  Please RSVP to Geri Byrne at 530-664-5871 or geri@bordercollies.com. KWUA Supports Klamath Basin Birding Trail Mapping Effort The Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA) Board of Directors on September 8th voted to contribute to a West-wide advertising campaign aimed at drawing attention to local bird watching trails. The Klamath Wing Watchers and Great Basin Visitors Center, who have been recent advocates for showcasing agriculture as an important reason for the widespread presence of birds in the Upper Basin, approached KWUA with this opportunity. The KWUA logo will appear in maps that are inserted in national birding magazines that are distributed to 100,000 subscribers. Sunset magazine has called the Klamath Basin "the number one birding hotspot in the West".   Frivolous Lawsuits Hurt Economy, Environment & Taxpayer Earlier this week, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4571, the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act (LARA). While this legislation largely targets baseless tort lawsuits, it will also make great strides in stemming the tide of frivolous litigation initiated by environmental fundraising organizations. H.R. 4571 would restore mandatory sanctions for filing frivolous lawsuits in violation of Role 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, requiring monetary sanctions against any party making a frivolous claim, including attorneys' fees. It would also allow Rule 11's provisions preventing frivolous lawsuits to apply to state cases in which a state judge finds the case affects interstate commerce by threatening jobs and economic losses to other states. "Frivolous lawsuits filed under the guise of environmentalism actually hurt the environment and hinder economic growth at the same time," said House Resources Committee Chairman Richard W. Pombo (R-CA). "Because the environmental organizations that file these suits are entitled to recover taxpayer-funded attorneys' fees and court awards - win or lose - environmental litigation has become big business in America. The American taxpayer should not foot the bill for this, nor should our economy have to suffer the dampening affects these suits cause. These and other frivolous actions prevent the creation of good jobs, which is why I was pleased to support this legislation." The recent flood of environmental litigation became so great that it bankrupted the Fish and Wildlife Service's fund for critical habitat in May of 2003, according to the U.S. Department of Interior. Source: House Resources Committee Advisory Notice     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 September 17, 2004 www.kwua.org What a Way to Spend My Summer! By Brooke Heiney Is fall already here?  It was only three months ago that I began my first internship with Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA).  I felt nervous and excited to begin my new job.  However, after opening the door to KWUA, I quickly lost those feelings.  I saw a temporary secretary in a sweat while running from room to room and answering the phone every couple of minutes.  I heard a familiar voice, Dan Keppen, my new boss, talking business.  I instantly realized that I had become part of a team who represented David in the fight against Goliath.  We had a lot to do and little time to do it. My dad is a third generation farmer, I grew up in Tulelake, and I have personally experienced the effects of 2001. I thought I was well prepared for tasks that would be asked of me during my time at KWUA.  I discovered that there is much more work done to keep the Klamath Project operating than most of the general public is aware of.  Setting up policy, handling litigation, and dealing with inaccurate and harmful press releases are just a few examples of what goes on behind the scenes. This summer I didn’t become a policy guru, but I did learn about the efficiency of the Klamath Project and how important a collaborative effort is in order to keep the water flowing.  I helped organize the 50th Annual Meeting where KWUA was shown an abundance of local support and was honored to accommodate the Governor of Oregon, Ted Kulongoski, as a speaker.  I organized a basin tour for 15 members of the Institute for Journalism and National Resources and helped set up a tour for a staff writer of the Water Education Foundation.   I put numerous press and information packets together and gathered a list of contacts for a senior   My Summer "Vacation" (Continued) partner of the Environmental Energy Policy Communications Firm.  I helped with various office duties, and my last big project was the setup and maintenance of the KWUA booth at the Tulelake-Butte Valley Fair. I will leave this internship with a feeling of accomplishment.  My time here has been an incredible learning experience.  The job was interesting, exciting, and full of responsibilities. Sometimes things ran smoothly, sometimes they didn’t, but, in retrospect, it has been fulfilling to know that what I have done has been beneficial to our community.  What a way to spend my summer! Brooke Heiney begins her sophomore year as an engineering student at the University of California at Davis later this month. KWUA thanks Brooke for her hard work on behalf of the irrigation community this summer. CALENDAR OF EVENTS Saturday, September 18, 2004. Modoc Uprising. Likely Place RV and Golf. Likely, California. Thursday, September 23, 2004. KWUA Power Committee Meeting. 7:00 p.m. KWUA Office. 2455 Patterson Street, Suite 3, Klamath Falls. Thursday, September 23, 2004. Modoc County Farm Bureau Board of Directors. 7:30 p.m. Alturas, California. Monday, September 27, 2004. Wetlands Tour. Hosted by the Klamath Watershed Council, The Urban Issues Group and the Klamath River Group. 10:00 a.m. Parking area south of 203 Riverside Drive, Klamath Falls, Oregon.

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