[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5896]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                       KLAMATH BASIN WATER CRISIS

  Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President, the Senate has just completed a 
long week debating a budget that I believe will help the American 
people in many ways, and I am proud of that work. But there are 
thousands of people in southern Oregon who are today getting some very 
bad news: the water on which the future of their farms and families 
depend will not be delivered this year.
  As I speak, my state is currently experiencing its worst drought in 
seventy-seven years. And while the lack of irrigation water is not 
completely the fault of the federal government, the situation has been 
exacerbated by the actions of federal agencies, primarily the Fish and 
Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service, that have 
authority over the quantity of water provided to the farmers and 
ranchers of the Klamath Basin. In the midst of this natural disaster, 
these two agencies have issued new requirements that increase lake 
levels in the Upper Klamath Lake as well as streamflows down the 
Klamath River. These edicts were issued in spite of admissions by 
Bureau of Reclamation officials that the proposed water levels are not 
attainable this year, even if there are no agricultural deliveries.
  For eight years, the Clinton Administration waged war on hard-working 
people who depend on natural resources to sustain their families and 
their communities. Sharp reductions in timber sales and the growth of 
onerous regulations has already weakened the economy of the Klamath 
Basin. Now, without irrigation water the economy stands to lose almost 
$144 million. This cannot be allowed to happen.
  When President Bush was elected, the people of Southern Oregon 
breathed a collective sigh of relief, believing that help was on the 
way. And although this decision was set in motion by the prior 
administration, my constituents cannot help but wonder if better days 
are yet to come. Unfortunately, one thing they do know for sure is that 
worse times are coming this year. I do not doubt the President's 
dedication to farmers, ranchers, and others in the wide rural expanses 
throughout this land. But I do understand that many of the people in 
the Klamath Basin cannot help but question this administration's 
commitment to their needs.
  While I appreciate the intermediate assistance the administration has 
offered, I have to again ask the President to reexamine the draconian 
orders that have turned a difficult drought into a crisis of immense 
proportions. In the meantime, I promise the people of the Klamath Basin 
that I will continue to fight for their needs and for the needs of 
their families until this dire mistake is rectified.

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