April 24, 2006 by STEVE KADEL H&N Staff Writer

An irrigation spokesman and a tribal official will discuss water issues affecting farms and fish this week in a program broadcast on public access television.

Greg Addington, executive director of the Klamath Water Users Association, and Karuk Tribal Council vice chairman Leaf Hillman will give their stakeholders' perspectives on use of Klamath River water.

It's the first in a series of presentations sponsored by Educational Solutions and the Oregon Institute of Technology library.

Susan Luxton of nonprofit Educational Solutions says the goal is to bring key players together to talk about controversial topics - possibly finding areas of agreement. She hopes that helps break down stereotypes.

“We see so much polarization and that gets people nowhere,” Luxton said.

She believes there isn't enough water in the Klamath watershed to satisfy demands from farmers and ranchers, Tribes, commercial and sport fishermen and environmentalists. However, leaders of those groups are beginning to seek collaborative solutions.

“It is complex and there is no one person to blame,” Luxton said. “Everyone wants to help the river.”

Addington worked nine years as associate director of government affairs for the Oregon Farm Bureau before moving to Southern Oregon. He was responsible for fish and wildlife, livestock, water and wetlands, national affairs and congressional relations while with the bureau.

He became executive director of the Klamath Water Users Association in April 2005, and was listed by a business publication as one of 50 great Oregon leaders - and one of 10 leaders on the “hot seat.”

Tribal council leader

Hillman has been vice chairman of the Karuk Tribal Council since 2002. He was director of the Tribe's Department of Natural Resources from 1995 to 2002, and was director of the Karuk Fisheries Department before that.

Hillman was a finalist for the 2005 Buffet Awards for Indigenous Leadership for his work to restore Klamath River salmon habitat while protecting sacred sites and strengthening Karuk Tribal government.