followed by Response by
W.D. Kennedy, Klamath Basin Irrigator
Weekend Edition - Sunday,
May 8, 2005 · The
battle over water continues in the Klamath River
Basin on the Oregon-California border. Another
year of drought has been declared, which may
spell more trouble for the region.
A century ago, the Bureau of Reclamation
drained huge marshes in the region, exposing
fertile soil. For a long time it seemed like a
good situation for all involved. Then species of
wildlife which had depended on the marshes began
to suffer.
Farmers and their supporters in the region
protested four years ago when the federal
government shut off irrigation water to help
endangered fish. And while farmers and the
government say they're doing a lot more to
protect endangered species now,
environmentalists say the core issue is being
ignored: There just isn't enough water to meet
all needs.
Response to Mr Brady by Bill
Kennedy, Klamath Basin farmer,
Mr. Brady leaves the listener with the
impression that it is choose either irrigation
for agriculture or water for wildlife, but
never both. A quote from a metropolitan
environmental organization claims that bird
life, dependent upon irrigated croplands for
habitat, is obliterated by seasonal thrashing.
This simply is not true. Migrating waterfowl,
raptors and our good friend the Sandhill
Crane, hatch and raise their young before any
thrashing occurs. More wildlife is killed on
our highways each year by speeding
environmental activists. Sorry, it’s either
wildlife or paved roads and automobiles but
never both.
Today over 400 species of vertebrates enjoy
the habitat provided by private landowners in
the Klamath Basin. The best habitat is
irrigated and has very limited access by
urbanites and others. Our irrigated
infrastructure provides food and cover for
wildlife and higher flows down the Klamath
River in drought years.
W.D. Kennedy
Lost River Ranch
Klamath Falls, OR
