Klamath Falls News - Locally owned news brand, reporting stories affecting citizens of the Klamath Basin.
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Yesterday marked a significant move by the Klamath Irrigation District (K.I.D) to safeguard the interests of its farmers and countless others across the Western United States.
Read MoreCHILOQUIN, Ore. — C’waam (Lost River sucker) and koptu (shortnose sucker) are two species of fish unique to Upper Klamath Basin, and both were once a plentiful food source for the Klamath Tribes. However, in the last 50 years, the population of these fish has been decimated from degradation of their habitat, the rivers they spawn in, and the lakes where they live.
Read MoreA federal court heard arguments today on whether to issue a preliminary injunction limiting irrigation and wildlife refuge uses of water from the Klamath Project in 2023.
Read MoreKLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – The Bureau of Reclamation announced the 2023 water supply allocations for Klamath Project contractors at the Klamath Water Users Association annual meeting last evening. In addition, Reclamation announced $13 million for drought resiliency, ecosystem enhancement, and groundwater monitoring in the Klamath Basin.
Read MoreKLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Discover Klamath is preparing to welcome the 43rd Annual Winter Wings Festival to the Klamath Basin from February 17-20, 2023. Organized by the Klamath Basin Audubon Society, the four-day festival invites birders, nature enthusiasts, and photographers to take in the sights and sounds of thousands of migratory birds while learning from top-notch birding professionals and enthusiastic local guides.
Read MoreYREKA, Calif. - Today, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) unanimously approved the surrender of the Lower Klamath Project License and the decommissioning of the four hydroelectric dams in the Lower Klamath Project.
Read MoreKLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Senior leaders from the Department of the Interior finished a two-day visit to the Klamath Basin this week to meet with Tribes, state and county officials, interagency partners, and water users to discuss near- and long-term solutions related to drought impacts and highlight how investments from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help protect and conserve sp
Read MoreWASHINGTON, DC – Today, during a House Natural Resources Committee Budget Oversight Hearing on the Department of Interior's Spending Priorities and the President's Fiscal Year Budget 2022 Proposal, Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-Ont.) questioned Department of the Interior Secretary Debra Haaland on the Agency's efforts to direct relief to the Klamath Basin where extreme and exceptional drought conditions have caused the Klamath Project to make an unprecedented zero water allocation for irrigators this water year.
Read MoreWASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.) delivered his first speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. He was joined by Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.) in raising awareness of the catastrophic drought in the American West and supporting immediate relief for those affected by the ongoing crisis in the Klamath Basin through a $57 million aid and relief proposal.
Read MoreWASHINGTON, D.C. – Ducks Unlimited (DU) and Intermountain West Joint Venture announced new Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) funding awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).
Read MoreSALEM, Ore. - Governor Kate Brown today issued the following statement on the urgent need for relief for Oregonians in the Klamath Basin due to prolonged drought conditions:
Read MoreIn response to worsening drought conditions in the West, including in areas like the Klamath River Basin, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack released the following statement after removing seven memos, letters and analysis related to the Klamath Project:
Read MoreUS Representative Cliff Bentz (R-Oregon) wrote a letter today addressed to the new Secretary of the Interior Debra Halland, regarding the Klamath Basin. Specifically, Bentz’s letter addressed four asks for the Basin: fully funding the KPDRA, fully implement BOR’s updated legal guidance, fill the Klamath Area Office Manager position, and fill the Klamath Facilitation Position.
Read MoreKLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is offering free well water testing in the Klamath Basin as part of a groundwater quality study. Interested well users should contact DEQ by May 15 at 503-693-5736 or groundwater.monitoring@deq.state.or.us to be considered for the study.
Read MoreOn Tuesday, March 16, 2021, Deb Haaland took the oath of office to become the 54th Secretary of the Department of the Interior in a small ceremony with family. The oath of office was administered by Chief of Staff Jennifer Van der Heide.
Read MoreSALEM, Ore. - On February 24, 2021, the Klamath County Circuit Court issued an opinion letter that addresses legal issues pending in the Klamath adjudication regarding the quantification of the Klamath Tribes’ determined claims for hunting, fishing, and gathering as provided in the Amended and Corrected Findings of Fact and Order of Determination (ACFFOD).
Read MoreKLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - On February 24, the Klamath County Circuit Court issued significant rulings in the Klamath Basin water rights adjudication. The ruling will affect the quantification and enforcement of instream water rights of the Klamath Tribes.
Read MoreKLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - On January 1, power costs for irrigators in the Klamath and Lost River Basins in Oregon will drop by 3.5 percent, according to the Klamath Water Users Association. The reduction is welcome, especially given that Pacific Power had requested last February that the Oregon Public Utility Commission approve a ten percent increase in base rates for irrigation. KWUA intervened in the OPUC proceeding to oppose the increase, and the OPUC issued its decision last week.
Read MoreWASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Greg Walden (R-OR) applauded President Trump signing into law a critically needed fix to the 2018 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) that would provide relief to Klamath Basin irrigators who have been hard-hit by drought. The legislation was passed by the House on October 1, and was signed into law on Friday, October 30, 2020.
Read MoreWASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Greg Walden (R-OR) and Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) today announced that the U.S. House of Representatives passed a critically needed fix to the 2018 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) that would provide relief to Klamath Basin irrigators who have been hard-hit by drought. The legislation was passed by the U.S. Senate in July of this year and is now headed to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law.
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![Rep. Bentz & Rep. LaMalfa issue $57M proposal to address Klamath Water Crisis [VIDEO]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59b9f24c64b05fd6531db026/1621399922440-3A2QPPULDCG0OLBPTGNT/bentz.png)
