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P R E S S R E L E A S E Karuk Tribe · Klamath Tribes of American Rivers · Trout Unlimited · Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations · Klamath Water Users Association Upper Klamath Water Users Association · Salmon River Restoration Council FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 8, 2010 For more information: Craig Tucker, Spokesman Karuk Tribe (916) 207-8294 Troy Fletcher, Policy Analyst, Yurok Tribe (707) 498-8486 Karl Scronce, President, Upper Klamath Water Users Associations (541) 281 2053 Chuck Bonham, CA Director, Trout Unlimited, (510) 917-8572 Klamath Settlement Agreements Finalized With marathon negotiations over, groups now seek leadership approvals The KBRA is the companion to the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement (KHSA) released in September which calls for the removal of PacifiCorp’s lower four The next step is for the governing bodies of participating Tribes, local governments, agricultural, fishing and conservation groups to decide whether or not to sign the agreements. Listed negotiators are now returning to their leadership and constituencies with a package they will recommend as the best means to resolve what many have thought was the “Klamath communities are redefining what is possible in terms of large scale ecosystem restoration. The key to success is an approach that supports all of the Klamath’s diverse rural communities,” said Chuck Bonham of Trout Unlimited. “This Agreement represents a major step toward restoring the health of the At the heart of the KBRA is a plan to permanently improve river flows to restore struggling salmon runs while at the same time increasing water reliability for upper basin agricultural communities. “We are proposing a plan that will balance water use in the Basin such that all of the Klamath’s diverse rural communities can prosper. This means restoring fisheries in a manner that provides stability for agricultural economies,” said The release of the proposed Agreement marks a significant shift in attitude for many in the Basin. Over the past 20 years the Klamath has been marked by bitter and acrimonious conflicts. The various communities had targeted one another with lawsuits and protests, which have failed to resolve issues pertaining to water rights, river flows, and economic stability. The companion agreement to the KBRA, the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement (KHSA), calls for the largest dam removal in The next steps include formal signature by ratifying groups, after which parties will need to secure federal legislation to enact the package. “In many ways, completing the negotiation marks a beginning, not an end. We still have to pass legislation and complete environmental reviews before dam removal and other elements of the agreements can be implemented. Still, we are closer than we have ever been to solving the Klamath crisis. We are confident Congress and the nation will recognize and support our joint effort and the unprecedented opportunity it presents,” concluded # # # Editor’s note: for a copy of the two Agreements and Executive Summaries, go to www.edsheets.com S. Craig Tucker Klamath Coordinator Karuk Tribe cell: 916-207-8294 home office: 707-839-1982
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