[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 140 (Tuesday, September 10, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H5139-H5140]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1800
               ONGOING WATER CRISIS IN THE KLAMATH BASIN

  (Mr. LaMALFA asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LaMALFA. Madam Speaker, today, I will talk about the ongoing 
water crisis manmade in the Klamath Basin.
  Over a decade ago, water levels in Upper Klamath Lake were set to 
support the endangered suckerfish. Yet, we have no new adult suckerfish 
that can be counted as having been produced during that time.
  Meanwhile, the impact on the basin's wildlife and farmers is severe. 
On and off, once-thriving wetlands are now dry, leading to massive die-
offs of ducks, geese, etc., from avian botulism. Also, the waterfowl 
population has dropped to record lows. You see it farther down in the 
valley with fewer waterfowl in the rice lands.

[[Page H5140]]

  Farmers are also suffering as water meant for irrigation and 
livestock is being diverted with little success in actually protecting 
endangered species.
  This policy has failed on all fronts. We are saving neither the 
suckerfish, nor protecting the region's critical ecosystems or the 
agricultural economy.
  Madam Speaker, I urge this body to reassess the water management in 
the Klamath Basin to ensure that our farmers, wildlife, and communities 
get the water they need and not be left in crisis constantly.

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