House hearing to address Klamath River basin drought

Dry conditions are hurting agriculture, residents and fish.

A House Natural Resources subcommittee is set to examine the drought-stricken Klamath River basin, including how best to address water supply shortages.

The Subcommittee on Water, Oceans and Wildlife will take up the subject tomorrow, at a hearing titled "Klamath River Basin Conditions and Opportunities."

California Rep. Jared Huffman (D), who chairs the subcommittee, has warned that "drastic measures" are needed in the 12,000-square-mile area on the California and Oregon border to avoid harming fish populations.

"As you know, Northern California is likely headed into another severely dry summer with grave consequences to tribal and coastal communities and the fisheries they rely on," Huffman wrote in a letter to Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton last month.

Long-term drought in the region has affected agricultural water deliveries, caused wells to dry, and hurt native fish and wildlife.

The subcommittee will examine how recent funding in the bipartisan infrastructure deal can be used to create "durable solutions to ecosystem and water supply challenges."

Schedule: The hearing is Tuesday, March 8, at 2 p.m. via webcast.

Witnesses:

• Steve Guertin, deputy director for program management and policy, Fish and Wildlife Service.
• David Palumbo, deputy commissioner of operations, Bureau of Reclamation.
• Amy Cordalis, counsel of the Yurok Tribe and principal of the Ridges to Riffles Conservation Fund.
• Joe Davis, chair, Hoopa Valley Tribe.
• Robert Super, vice chair, Karuk Tribe.
• Tricia Hill, former president, Klamath Water Users Association.
• Geri Byrne, chair, Modoc County, Calif., board.

By:  Jennifer Yachnin
Source: E&E Daily

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