Greg Addington, Klamath Water Users Association Executive Director

Luther Horsley, President of KWUA

 7/26/07

Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA)

Statement on Klamath Sucker Status Review

Today the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced that it has completed a comprehensive review of two listed fish in the Upper Klamath Basin, the Lost River Sucker and the shortnose sucker.  According to USFWS the Lost River suckers are not at risk of extinction in the foreseeable future. The review recommends that the fish should remain protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) but recommends a down-listing of the Lost River Sucker from Endangered to Threatened.  The review recommends maintaining the shortnose sucker status as endangered

KWUA expressed encouragement regarding the news. “This should be good news for everyone,” said Greg Addington, Executive Director of the Klamath Water Users Association which represents irrigation, drainage and improvement districts within the Bureau of Reclamation’s Klamath Project.  “This action shows us that the support and advocacy for restoration activities and funding is doing some good,” he said.

KWUA has long maintained that the producers in this Basin should get some “credit” for the impressive restoration projects that have been completed and planned. The USFWS recommendation is a sign that we are moving towards a point that some day will provide regulatory relief for irrigators.

“There has been a significant investment in conservation made by the Bush Administration and supported by many stakeholders including irrigators,” said Luther Horsley, a farmer and President of KWUA.  “It’s nice to know we are starting to see some benefits from those actions, it’s a step in the right direction.”

While the news is good, KWUA points out that there is a lot of hard work left to do. 

“The USFWS shouldn’t stop at the 5-year review, they must move forward on defining reasonable recovery goals for both species,” said Addington. “This doesn’t take anyone off the hook. We have to continue to work with the federal agencies and our neighbors, particularly the Klamath Tribes to find lasting solutions and to meet everyone’s needs,” he said.