Interior Dept. Grants $46M for Klamath Basin Restoration 103124

Interior Dept. Grants $46M for Klamath Basin Restoration
Photo by DU Jeff McCrearry, October 31, 2024
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article follows KBC Notes

KBC Notes, links and comments including Barnes Ranch acquisition for birds and suckers, not water storage, and 90,000 acres gifted to Klamath Tribes. Both have previously been opposed by the public in letters and polls. HERE for scientists' opposition and letters of opposition by the Klamath Basin communities, water districts and public officials.
"...the Service is investing a total of $162 million over five years to restore the Klamath region's ecosystem and repair local economies...will secure reliable water for the national wildlife refuges, advance the restoration of salmon post dam removal, address water quality and conveyance issues, and ..."
$13 million will be used to complete restoration of the Agency-Barnes wetland units of Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge and... Covering 14,356 acres, the restored wetland will create vital habitat for waterfowl, federally endangered Lost River and shortnose suckers, and other species, making it one of the largest wetland restoration initiatives in the United States.
Klamath Keystone Initiative, "...$31 million as part of an agreement, commonly known as the “Mazama Funds,” that will allow the Klamath Tribes to acquire nearly 90,000 acres of private land...(USFWS) deployed $26 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in fiscal year 2022 for Klamath Basin restoration projects, including nearly $16 million for ecosystem restoration projects in the Basin and $10 million to expand the Klamath Falls National Fish Hatchery to raise juvenile endangered suckers (C’waam and Koptu)."
KBC NOTE: After the Klamath Reclamation Project water was entirely shut off in 2001 and Barnes Ranch was promoted, the nation's best available science was engaged: According to Dr William Lewis, Chairman of the National Research Council: flooding more ag land won't produce more suckers and won't improve Klamath Lake water quality. Also it will raise lake temperatures and evaporate more water than it can store. Higher than historic river flows won't help salmon, lower flows didn't kill salmon. NRC: "The water shutoff was unjustified."
The new deal would "secure water reliable water for the national wildlife refuges." However the recent biological assessment mandates denying much water to irrigators, obliterating our water rights.
The Barnes Ranch acquisition, initially proposed as water storage for Klamath Project, was opposed by Klamath Irrigation District, scientists, representatives, and the public. As with other promises of storage, this acquisition is presently touted as another "restored wetland."
FYI 97,160 acres of agricultural land have been converted into wetlands from ag as primary water usage
(above Klamath Lake). Wetlands use nearly 2ce as much water as ag lands. Most of these acquisitions were sold to the public as "water storage for irrigation" and (warm) water to help endangered suckers

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - The U.S. Department of the Interior today announced nearly $46 million in investments from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for ecosystem restoration activities that address high-priority Klamath Basin water-related challenges in southern Oregon and northern California.

In February, the Department announced a landmark agreement between the Klamath Tribes, Yurok Tribe, Karuk Tribe and Klamath Water Users Association to advance collaborative efforts to restore the Klamath Basin ecosystem and improve water supply reliability for Klamath Project agriculture. Funds announced today will support 24 restoration projects developed by signers of this agreement, as well as other Tribes and other conservation partners.

"President Biden's Investing in America agenda is funding restoration projects that will provide lasting ecological solutions, critical habitat restoration needed for threatened and endangered species, and agriculture resilience for the Klamath Basin," said Secretary Deb Haaland. "With the help of our partners in the basin, our shared commitment to protecting this ecosystem will benefit the watersheds, agriculture, forests and abundant populations of species that call this landscape home."

"It's inspiring to help advance our efforts to achieve a drought-resilient and restored ecosystem in this region," said Service Director Martha Williams. "I am grateful for the work with Tribes and many partners to collectively choose projects focused on holistic solutions in the basin that will continue for many generations to come."

Through President Biden's Investing in America agenda, the Department is implementing more than $2 billion in investments to restore the nation's lands and waters. To guide these historic investments, and in support of the President's America the Beautiful initiative, the Department unveiled the Restoration and Resilience Framework, to support coordination across agency programs and drive transformational outcomes, including a commitment to advance collaborative efforts to restore the Klamath Basin ecosystem and improve water supply reliability for Klamath Project agriculture through the Klamath Keystone Initiative. By working collaboratively with ranchers, state and local governments, Tribal nations, and other stakeholders, the Department is working to build ecological resilience in core habitats and make landscape-scale restoration investments across this important ecosystem.

Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Service is investing a total of $162 million over five years to restore the Klamath region's ecosystem and repair local economies. These investments will secure reliable water for the national wildlife refuges, advance the restoration of salmon post dam removal, address water quality and conveyance issues, and support co-developed restoration projects with Tribes, farmers and ranchers, and conservation partners.

As part of today's investments, $13 million will be used to complete restoration of the Agency-Barnes wetland units of Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge and provide fish habitat access in Fourmile and Sevenmile creeks. Covering 14,356 acres, the restored wetland will create vital habitat for waterfowl, federally endangered Lost River and shortnose suckers, and other species, making it one of the largest wetland restoration initiatives in the United States.

Other projects announced today will help to develop and restore wetlands, shorelines and native habitats around Lake Ewauna, Link River, Tule Lake, Scott River and upper Williamson River.

A full project list is available on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's website.

To learn more about the impacts of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in the Klamath Basin, tune into the Service's Nature's Infrastructure podcast. Explore Klamath Basin Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funded restoration projects in an interactive StoryMap.

Additional examples of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments may be found in the Service's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law annual report, and photos may be found in the Klamath Basin photo gallery.

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THE KLAMATH BASIN KEYSTONE INITIATIVE INVESTS IN:
Empowering Tribal Communities In 2022, the Interior Department announced four Tribal water projects in Oregon and California's Klamath River Basin that would receive $5.8 million through the Bureau of Reclamation's Native American Affairs Technical Assistance to Tribes Program to restore aquatic ecosystems, improve the resilience of habitats, and mitigate the efects of the ongoing drought crisis. The Bureau of Indian Affairs has approved the use of $31 million as part of an agreement, commonly known as the “Mazama Funds,” that will allow the Klamath Tribes to acquire nearly 90,000 acres of private land within their historic reservation boundaries that will support ecosystem restoration and economic development.

Improving the Health of Wildlife and Ecosystems The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service deployed $26 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in fiscal year 2022 for Klamath Basin restoration projects, including nearly $16 million for ecosystem restoration projects in the Basin and $10 million to expand the Klamath Falls National Fish Hatchery to raise juvenile endangered suckers (C’waam and Koptu).

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