$72 million headed to Klamath River restoration, agriculture infrastructure
On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced roughly $72 million in federal funds for Klamath River restoration projects and agriculture infrastructure.
Advocates for the Klamath River and agricultural interests are often at odds — one wants cleaner, colder rivers that allow for healthy ecosystems, while the other seeks greater flow diversions for food production — but both appear to benefit from the investment, which would fund the completion of a restoration project, the Klamath Falls National Fish Hatchery by 2027.
“The collaboration and cooperation reached today in the Klamath Basin is a critical step forward as we work to support healthy ecosystems and water reliability in the region for generations to come,” said DOI Secretary Deb Haaland in a release. “Following months of consultation and discussions, we’re proud to formalize this partnership with tribes and irrigators and make a shared commitment that will benefit the forests, watersheds, agriculture and abundant populations of migratory bird and fish species that are unique to this basin. With new resources from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we’re able to make immediate investments that will benefit the communities and wildlife that call this place home.”
The DOI will also partner with the Klamath Tribes, Yurok Tribe, Karuk Tribe and Klamath Water Users Association via a memorandum of understanding to pursue restoration projects. The tribes have lobbied for years calling greater attention to fish-kills and degrading ecosystems along the Klamath River. In 2023, the Yurok Tribe’s Salmon Festival had no salmon due to precipitously low quantities of salmon within the Klamath River.
The U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife will provide $64 million for the hatchery and tribal-led projects throughout the Klamath Basin. The agency will also create a database and interactive map tracking restoration efforts.
The U.S. The Bureau of Reclamation is creating a drought resilience program and will announce additional funds for flow management, including riverside infrastructure, in the coming months.
In a separate release, the funding and partnership was lauded by U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman, who represents California’s North Coast.
“The steps we’ve taken to restore the Klamath River are some of the most significant wins we’ve seen for our region’s ecosystems that have been choked by dilapidated dams and drought for decades. Working hand-in-hand with tribes as we take on this ambitious endeavor is unequivocally essential,” said Huffman in the release. “This partnership along with the significant investments made by the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress are another example of our commitment to a solution that benefits the wildlife, tribes, communities, and economies that all depend on a healthy, thriving Klamath Basin.”
By: Jackson Guilfoil
Source: Eureka Times Standard
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