In 2001, the Klamath Project — a nearly quarter-million-acre irrigation project located in southern Oregon and northern California — suffered a total water shutdown for the crop season due directly to the misguided use of the Endangered Species Act. This federal action caused an environmental and financial crisis in the Klamath Basin.

Following unprecedented public outcry, legislative support and direct involvement by the Bush administration, this disastrous decision was changed for the 2002 crop year. Recovery has not been easy.

On June 25, 2003, Bureau of Reclamation officials announced that, with only a six-hour notice, they planned to shut down the project water again for a minimum of five days. This shutdown, in a crucial stage of the growing season, could have devastated the local farming industry. With the headgates closed, the project takes approximately two weeks to recharge the canal system, effectively denying water to crops for up to 20 days.

Immediately upon receipt of this decision, representatives of the Klamath Water Users Association and other knowledgeable, concerned citizens started calling allies in the government and the media. U.S. Congressman Greg Walden (R-OR) and Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) spent the day discussing this crisis with White House staff. The order was rescinded before the day was over.

Some of the best news that we've received over the past year was contained in the final report of the National Academy of Sciences, which concluded that the 2001 water cutoff was not justified.

The report stated that recovery of the endangered suckers is not solely the responsibility of the Klamath Project. The committee also reconfirmed that there is no evidence of a connection between Upper Klamath Lake water levels and sucker health, or that higher flows on the Klamath River main stem help Coho salmon. Additionally, the operation of the Klamath Project was not the cause of the 2002 Klamath River 33,000 salmon die-off that occurred 200 miles downstream of the project.

Despite this confirmation, radical environmentalists and even some governmental agency representatives continue their barrage of criticism and myth-making about farming in the basin. We must be vigilant to correct misinformation.

The Klamath Basin survived this onslaught for a couple of good reasons. First, the community rallied together and engaged politically. Second, President Bush and his administration became personally involved with our issue, and they are committed to uphold farming as a viable national industry.

No individual or community can fight a battle like this alone. One must get involved with ag-related associations and support them financially, know legislators and keep informed.

As Edmund Burke observed, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”

Stand tall and be counted; this corrupt law is undoubtedly lurking in your backyard, too.

Patsy and Bob Gasser, lifelong residents of the Klamath Basin, have been active participants in the battle to save the Klamath Basin and amend the Endangered Species Act. Bob and his partner Chris Moudry are co-owners of Basin Fertilizer, an independent company founded in 1975 that serves northern California and southern Oregon farmers.

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