Document text
Mayors link Klamath, economic stability By MELISSA MARTIN The federal government has gone too far in protecting endangered species at the cost of Oregon farmers, Oregon mayors said during a recent annual meeting. Some 59 mayors, including four from Jackson County, signed a resolution voicing their concern that the Klamath Basin water wars will affect Oregon's economy, said Jim Lewis, Jacksonville's mayor. "We are very concerned about the implementation of the Endangered Species Act and other environmental issues," Lewis said. "It's the human element we're worried about. If the agricultural community goes down, it won't take long for the whole economy to fold up and to turn the lights out. "The whole West could be affected." Lewis attended the annual conference of the Oregon Mayors Association, this year held in Klamath Falls. He noticed many vacant storefronts downtown - only two-and-a-half months after the federal government shut off irrigation water for farmers to leave more water in Klamath Lake to protect the endangered sucker fish. "The Oregon Mayors Association is committed to strong stewardship of the environment, as well as to vibrant and sustainable local communities," the mayors resolution proclaims. "State and national water and environmental policies must be balanced to provide sustainable communities and a sustainable environment." Shady Cove Mayor Tom Anderson said dry grain fields in Klamath County may already have an impact in Jackson County, where livestock owners depend on alfalfa to feed their animals during the winter. "I expect the price will go up," he said. "This is just the tip of the iceberg. It will have a major impact, just like dot-com stuff in Silicon Valley is having an impact on the California economy." The resolution will be mailed to Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber and others. "We hope we can carry more weight, especially with our own legislators," Lewis said. Phil Peeters, Rogue River's mayor, and Medford Mayor Lindsay Berryman also attended the conference. The 59 mayors who signed the resolution on Aug. 18 re-wrote it several times, said Todd Kellstrom, Klamath Falls mayor and president of the 144-member Oregon Mayor's Association. "Some wanted it harsher, like me, because I'm most directly affected," Kellstrom said. "But we worked out our differences and got it where we could all accept it and I'm pleased." Reach reporter Melissa Martin at 776-4497, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.