Klamath Restoration Agreements

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Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement
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A Blueprint for Progress and Sustainability in the Klamath Basin

Full KBRA text

On January 7, 2010, a diverse group of over two dozen Klamath Basin stakeholders released the final draft of the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement (KBRA). The KBRA is the most comprehensive and ambitious effort to date to resolve the Klamath Crisis.

The KBRA is intended to result in effective and durable solutions which:

1) in concert with the removal of four dams, will restore and sustain natural production and provide for full participation in ocean and river harvest opportunities of fish species throughout the Klamath Basin;

2) establish reliable water and power supplies which sustain agricultural uses, communities, and National Wildlife Refuges; and

3) contribute to the public welfare and the sustainability of all Klamath Basin communities.

What is the KBRA?

KBRA is a settlement agreement among many diverse parties that creates a solid path forward on long-standing, stalemated resource disputes in the Klamath Basin. The KBRA takes a multi-dimensional approach that resolves complex problems by focusing on species recovery while recognizing the interdependence of environmental and economic problems in the Basin’s rural communities. 

The goal of the KBRA is to foster environmental restoration of the Klamath Basin in a manner that supports and enhances the Basin's diverse rural economies including fishing, farming, and ranching.

Major Outcomes of the KBRA 

  1. Removal of four hydro dams in the Klamath River
  2. Increased water flows for fish, especially during dry years
  3. Settlement of water-related litigation and increased water certainty for irrigators
  4. Reintroduction of salmon to historic range in the Upper Basin
  5. Large-scale habitat restoration in the Upper and Lower Basin
  6. “Safe harbor” for participating farmers and ranchers
  7. Renewable energy and affordable power options for the agricultural community
  8. Economic revitalization programs for tribal communities
  9. A coordination council managing the watershed as one

Why the KBRA Works

For Fish: 

  • Dam removal will essentially re-open over 600 miles of historic river and stream habitat fo salmon, steelhead, and other fish species.
  • Dam removal will also improve water quality by eliminating the thermal effects of the shallow reservoirs, restoring more natural flow regimes, and eliminating the breeding ground for massive blooms of toxic algae.
  • Large-scale restoration of hydrology, habitat, and ecological functionality of the Klamath River and many key tributaries.

A more comprehensive explanation of fisheries benefits can be found in PCFFA's What the Klamath Settlements Mean for Salmon.

For Farming and Ranching:

  • Opportunity to settle Klamath Basin Water Adjudication on mutally agreeable terms.
  • Increase certainty of irrigation deliveries to the federal Klamath Irrigation Project.
  • Regulatory assurances to protect from liabilities associated with returning fish.

Irrigators' Perspective on KBRA

For Thriving Communities:

  • Recovery of salmon populations that are the mainstay of tribal and commercial fishing economies and cultures.
  • Species recovery reduces regulatory burdens on agricultural community.
  • Opportunities in natural resource-based tribal economic revitalization
  • Investing in renewable energy programs and other options to supply affordable power for agriculture.

For the Public:

  • Effective use of tax dollars:  fewer crises, emergencies and bailouts; restoration that works.
  • Cost savings through dam removal vs. expensive and prolonged relicensing.
  • Recreational opportunities with recovered salmon, trout and steelhead populations and inproved water quality.

For Policy:

  • Addressing economic, social and environmental issues for long-term sustainability.
  • Supported by a broad and wide coalition of tribes, conservation groups, farmers and ranchers, commercial fishermen, and state and federal agencies.
  • Breaking historic environmental stalemate and bringing “peace to the river.”
  • Allowing the coordinated movement on multiple fronts required for fisheries recovery.
  • Opportunity for investment in long-term change vs. cyclical band-aid expenditures.

 A more in depth Executive Summary of Klamath Agreements.

 

 
 

Did You Know?

Water Shut-off Highlights Need for Klamath Agreements

Karuk Tribe

P R E S S  R E L E A S E

For Immediate Release: March 18, 2010

For more information: Craig Tucker, Klamath Coordinator, Karuk Tribe, cell 916-207-8294

 

Drought Highlights Need for Klamath Agreements

Fish and Farms would be better off today if the Klamath Restoration Agreements where already in place

 Orleans, CA – Today Secretary of Interior Salazaar addressed the current drought situation in the Klamath Basin by breaking the hard news to irrigators that water deliveries will be reduced to 30-40% of average. Before agricultural deliveries can be made, the Bureau of Reclamation must first ensure that the water level in Upper Klamath Lake and the flows in the Klamath River meet minimal requirements to allow for the survival of ESA listed suckers and coho salmon.

 “It’s a difficult year for everyone. Even though irrigation deliveries are being dramatically cut, the water fish are getting only meets the minimal amount needed to avoid extinction. It’s barely enough water to keep the fishery on life support,” according to Leaf Hillman, Director of Karuk Natural Resources Department.

 The current situation is due in large part to a lack of precipitation, but if fisheries managers had the flexibility to manage the system in the manner prescribed by the recently signed Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement, more water would be available for fish in the crucial spring months ahead and more water would be available for agriculture as well.

 The current management plan prescribes winter flows in the river without considering weather events in real time. In a dry winter like this one, the result is that flows are held steady even in the face of deteriorating hydrologic conditions. Under Real Time Management, flows would have been pared back to better reflect the weather conditions in real time. This approach would have allowed resource managers to provide more water to the river in the spring when fish need it most, left more water in Upper Klamath Lake for suckers, and more management flexibility in meeting irrigation needs.

 According to Hillman, “We basically ran up a water deficit this winter gambling that a late season storm would bail us out, but the rains never came. Implementation of the Klamath Restoration Agreement would provide a more sound approach to water management.”

 In addition, the Real Time Management Plan called for by the KBRA would restore some of the Klamath’s natural hydrograph. This means river flows would be greater during storm events and less during dry periods. Current management calls for flat line flows out of Iron Gate Dam which is bad for fish. “Flat line flows contribute to the algae and fish disease problems on the Klamath by creating a stable environment for algae and disease carrying parasites to flourish. If we mimicked the river’s natural flow pattern with normal flow variability, it would help these problems greatly,” according to Karuk Senior Fisheries Biologist Toz Soto.

 Tribes are offering to support disaster relief measures to help farm families through the season. “Hopefully, we can get the Klamath Restoration Agreements enacted by congress this year and avoid a crisis like this in the future. Until then, Tribal and fishing communities will need to support our neighbors in farming and ranching as they brace for a year of economic hardship,” said Hillman.

 

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Technical memo describing how KBRA management would have helped address this year’s drought