Press Release- March 2, 2002:
Panel reviewing Klamath Basin Issues

March 2, 2002 For more information, contact:
Bull Ullman, Tribes' Water Resource Attorney
541-783-3081 (work)
541-892-0410 (cell)
541-883-2932 (home)
Doug Barber, The Ulum Group, 541-434-7023
Allen Foreman, Tribal Chairman, 541-783-2219

KLAMATH TRIBES PRAISE PRESIDENTIAL ACTION, PLEDGE COOPERATION WITH CABINET-LEVEL PANEL REVIEWING KLAMATH BASIN ISSUES

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The Klamath Tribes today praised a decision by President Bush to name a
Cabinet-level panel to work for resolution of water conflicts in the Klamath
Basin.

Klamath Tribes Chairman Allen Foreman said, "The Klamath Tribes deeply
appreciate this action by President Bush. By directing Cabinet-level review
of water conflicts in the Klamath Basin, the president gives everyone in the
basin hope for solutions to problems caused by almost a century of abuse and
over-withdrawal of waters. We believe that managing agricultural water
deliveries to restore abundant fisheries in a healthy ecosystem will assure
a sustainable economy for the Klamath Tribes and for all communities in the
Klamath Basin."

President Bush designated Interior Secretary Norton to chair the Klamath
Basin panel, which was established by an Executive Order signed by the
president on Feb. 28.

Chairman Foreman noted the significance to the panel's work of a U.S.
District Court ruling issued March 1. "In that ruling, the federal courts
again reaffirmed that the Klamath Tribes have the first right to waters
needed to support the Tribes' fishing, hunting, and gathering," he said.
"That means the lakes, rivers, marshes and forests of Klamath country must
retain their natural water supplies to restore our fisheries and wildlife to
abundance. We pledge our full cooperation to Interior Secretary Gale
Norton, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, and all the federal officials
whom President Bush has asked to find solutions in the Klamath Basin."