Napa California Democrat Congressman Mike Thompson writes letter to the Siskiyou Daily News

Dear Siskiyou Daily News Editor,

The July 18 article entitled "Herger stands up for farmers" characterizes me as a "radical environmentalist." Clearly, this claim is based on an incorrect and one-sided interpretation of legislation in the FY 2004 House Interior Appropriations Bill and my willingness to bring balance to the Klamath Basin.

This amendment would have limited the number of high water consumptive crops grown on the Klamath Basin’s National Wildlife Refuge to ones that use less water and are beneficial to waterfowl and wildlife. This practice is already employed on over 75 percent of the lands on the Klamath refuges as required in the Keuchel Act. This amendment would not have "deprived Klamath Basin farms of their irrigation water." The reduction of water used on the refuges for less water intensive crops, albeit negligable, would have increased the amount of water for all parties in the water-starved Klamath Basin — farmers, fisherman and wildlife.

The Klamath Basin water issues affect the upper Basin, the mid-Basin and the lower Basin. Just as farmers in Siskiyou County depend on water to irrigate their farms and drive the local economy, my constituents in the lower Basin depend on water to bolster salmon populations which fuel our local economy. I believe the amendment to the House Appropriations bill would have provided funding for willing landowners who participate in water conservatiuon measures throughout the Klamath Basin.

The water issues facing the Klamath Basin are solvable, but fixing them requires having everyone at the table. One-sided reporting and ill-based claims will not bring us any closer to a solution. Instead, this false characterization will only create further divides between those involved, exacerbating the problems and delaying any practical steps towards solutions. If we fail to address the Klamath crisis, we will be caught in an unfortunate seesaw of castastrophes — reduction of water to farmers in the upper Basin and fish kills in the lower Basin. I encourage all interested parties to roll up their sleeves and work with me to bring balance to all of the Klamath communities.

Sincerely,

Rep. Mike Thompson

D-Napa