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--> --> Wyden's proposal earmarks millions for Klamath water PORTLAND (AP) - A draft proposal by Sen. Ron Wyden would set aside $175 million over five years as a long-term solution to help fix the Klamath Basin's water woes. The Oregon Democrat said he is in touch with California's two Democratic senators about trying to attach it to a major farm bill this week. The proposal was circulated privately last week to congressional offices and interest groups for comment. According to a copy obtained by The Oregonian, the plan would create a new interagency task force charged with developing, within six months, a comprehensive plan for agriculture and wildlife in the drought-ravaged basin. The Klamath and other tribes would receive $30 million to aid species recovery, and an additional $2 million would be earmarked for migrant farm workers who've been among the basin's economic casualties. The proposal is the result of an effort by Wyden and Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., to put together a long-term plan that balances the needs of farmers and ranchers, environmentalists and tribes. Because of one of the worst droughts on record, the federal government curtailed water deliveries to Klamath irrigators last spring, causing some to let fields go brown and sparking angry protests. The water cutoff was needed to save fish and bald eagles protected by the Endangered Species Act, federal officials said, although irrigators protested that the decision was based on questionable science. Smith and Wyden won $20 million in emergency payments for farmers last summer. "We have spent hundreds of hours talking with the affected parties, and we believe this proposal represents a balanced common ground to address the region's needs," said Josh Kardon, Wyden's chief of staff. He said initial feedback has been good, but talks continue with Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, both California Democrats, in the hope that they will back the plan as an amendment to the 10-year, $175 billion farm bill. As a result, Kardon said, provisions were subject to change. Money would come from federal farm, wildlife and wetland programs run by the Agriculture, Commerce and Interior departments. The nine-agency task force would be charged with restoring the basin's water system, helping species recover and maintaining national wildlife refuges while ensuring that the agricultural economy is sustainable. The task force would be required to consider ways to cut demand for water, including government purchase of water conservation easements and farm land from voluntary sellers. The amendment stops short of mandating government buyouts. Environmentalists, who maintain that water in the 230,000-acre basin is overallocated, say any realistic recovery plan has to involve programs to buy out farm land or purchase water rights. "What's been missing in the Klamath is an acknowledgment that the irrigation project is simply too big and that many farmers are willing to sell," said Jim Waltman, Wilderness Society director for refuge and wildlife programs. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing