Senator Dahle and Assembly Member Dahle Write Letter Regarding the Klamath Watershed

Sacramento, CA - on April 19th, 2023, Senator Brian Dahle and Assembly Member Megan Dahle wrote a letter regarding the Klamath Watershed and the Klamath Basin drought declaration to Governor Newsom. 

The letter is below:

Dear Governor Newsom,

As you know well, California has experienced an exceptionally wet winter, which led you to lift the drought declaration in most of the state on March 24. At that time, you chose to leave the drought declaration in place for the Klamath Basin and its tributaries including the Scott and Shasta Rivers. It is time to lift that declaration along with the emergency drought regulations that continue to put a heavy burden on family farms and ranches in Siskiyou County.

In late March, the USD Drought Monitor still listed part of northeastern California as being in 'Severe Drought." However, healthy winter rain and snow continued. The most recent report, on April 11, shows only a small section of "Moderate Drought" in the northernmost part of the state, and drought removal is likely.

The Klamath National Forest last week announced the result of its snow surveys in the Scott River watershed, and reported that snow levels were the "highest in years," with 163 percent of the average Snow Water Equivalent.

Unfortunately, emergency State Water Board regulations still threaten irrigators on the Scott and Shasta Rivers with curtailments and put pressure on them to sign agreements for local cooperative solutions that "voluntarily" reduce water use. Farmers need time to plan for their growing season, and unpredictable regulations are adding a needless burden to their work.

There is no longer a drought in the Klamath Basin. There certainly isn't an emergency that justifies continuing the Water Board's strict measures and the costs they've imposed on agriculture in the region. We urge you to lift the drought designation without further delay.

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If you would like to see the signed copy, please see the supporting documents below or click here.