Press
Release: February 4, 2002
On National Academy Science Report
FOR RELEASE:
CONTACT:
February 4, 2002 Allen Foreman, Tribal Chairman, 541-783-2219
Doug Barber, The Ulum Group, 541-434-7023
Klamath Tribes Applaud Scientists' Criticism of Reclamation Water Plan,- Urge Interior Secretary to Honor Trust Responsibility to Restore Klamath Fishery
Klamath Tribes Chairman Allen
Foreman, commenting on a National Academy of
Sciences preliminary report that criticizes both US Fish and Wildlife Service
and Bureau of Reclamation proposals for operation of the Klamath Irrigation
Project, cautioned today that the National Academy report does not give a
green light to the Bureau of Reclamation's proposals to drain more water from
Upper Klamath Lake.
"The National Academy of Sciences has called for more research and analysis, and has not okayed the Bureau of Reclamation's proposal," said Chairman Foreman. "In fact," he added, "the National Academy report specifically warns that the USBR proposals are unjustified, and says that the Klamath Tribes' endangered fish could be put at more risk if Reclamation's proposals were implemented. The report says a negative association between welfare of the species and lake levels could emerge if lake levels are reduced below those of recent historical experience."
"It is a shame," the Chairman noted, "that the National Academy was asked to look at Klamath fishery issues only in response to requirements of the Endangered Species Act, instead of also reviewing Reclamation's operating plans as the Interior Secretary must: in the context of the U.S. government's treaty responsibility to restore and protect the Klamath Tribes' fish and wildlife to their historic abundance."
Chairman Foreman said "We are puzzled at the Academy's description of lower-than-normal lake levels as "high" levels. "It is true that Reclamation's operations during the past decade have not yet killed all of our endangered fish. But it is a political judgment, and not a scientific finding, to decide that fish on the brink of extinction must prove that their natural water supply was related to their historic abundance. All the water in Upper Klamath Lake was put there by the Creator, not by the Bureau of Reclamation."
The Chairman concluded "We are heartened that the National Academy confirmed that Reclamation's operating proposals could further harm the Tribes' fishery. We are confident that when the National Academy has moved past this preliminary look to do a thorough analysis, natural values in the Klamath River ecosystem will be validated as essential to recovery of our fishery. We are determined to continue defending the Klamath Tribes' water rights and treaty rights in order to restore a healthy watershed and rebuild a sustainable economy for all people in the Klamath Basin."
THE KLAMATH TRIBAL COUNCIL
P.O. Box 436
Chiloquin, OR 97624
Fax: (541) 783-3706
1-800-524-9787 or (541) 783-2219