U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU
OF RECLAMATION
For
Release: EMBARGOED Contact:
Jeff McCracken 541-883-6935
[Jan.
28, 2002, 2:30 p.m. PST] Cell phone 916-769-1109
Trudy
Harlow 202-513-0574
BUREAU
OF RECLAMATION ANNOUNCES FIRST STEP TOWARDS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR KLAMATH
BASIN
KLAMATH
FALLS, ORE. - The Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation today
released its
draft Biological Assessment
(BA) of the potential impacts to
species listed under the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) that may result
from the operation of the Klamath Project over the next 10 years.
The
draft Assessment analyzes the effects of proposed Klamath Project operations on
four listed species: the Southern
Oregon/Northern California Coast coho salmon, the Lost River sucker, the
shortnose sucker and the bald eagle.
The scientific review takes into consideration new information that has
become available since the 2001 BA.
Unlike last year, Reclamation will present a single BA to both the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service, which will
allow them to prepare coordinated Biological Opinions that may resolve what
otherwise might be conflicting needs of the listed species.
Reclamation
Commissioner John Keys said, "This draft Biological Assessment and
suggested options for conservation measures provide a solid foundation for the
development of a long-term comprehensive plan for the Klamath Basin. It works towards meeting the needs of
Klamath Basin Tribes, the farming community, the refuges, and the
environment. This draft Assessment
recognizes that protecting endangered species must be accomplished while working
cooperatively with local people to honor our long-standing commitments."
The
draft BA includes a description of the environmental baseline that is
consistent with the ESA implementing regulations and with the Section 7
Consultation Handbook issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The draft contains extensive discussion on
describing the impacts of non-Klamath Project actions and past effects, and how
they have contributed to the current status of the species.
The
2002 draft sets out the current condition of the listed species and uses a
hydrologic baseline of impaired inflows that shows current hydrologic
conditions with no Project diversion, delivery or storage, but with all Project
facilities in place. The document also
separates out the effects based on diversions, deliveries, and storage.
-more-
This
year's draft BA also includes additional analyses that distinguish incremental
effects on the listed species from the effects of non-Federal and non-Project
actions.
The ESA requires Reclamation to consult
with other Federal agencies on the possible impacts of operating the Klamath
Project. The first step in the process
is now being completed with the release of the draft BA in which Reclamation
describes its proposed actions. For
example, in an effort to address the complex issues in the Klamath Basin,
Reclamation is proposing several options, including an innovative concept to
create a Klamath Project water bank that could provide water to listed species
in the Klamath Basin. The water bank
would, through water purchases, enable Reclamation to meet its legal
obligations to deliver water to farmers in the Klamath Project as well as
provide a source of water for endangered species and national wildlife
refuges. On a voluntary basis, farmers
would be paid to waive their contract entitlement for 1 year, thus making more
water available for environmental purposes.
"This
innovative water bank proposal and the current higher rate of precipitation in
the Basin can help us honor our commitment to do everything we can do within
the law to provide Klamath farmers with water this season," Keys said.
Reclamation
and other federal officials will be discussing the draft Assessment with the
public, Klamath Basin Tribes, local and state elected officials, the States of
Oregon and California, farmers in the Klamath Basin, and fishing and wildlife
interests.
Reclamation
is seeking public comments by Friday, February 8, 2002. Following the February 8 deadline for the
receipt of public comments, Reclamation will finalize the BA and submit it to
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department of Commerce's National
Marine Fisheries Service, thus initiating formal consultation. Those agencies will then begin preparing
Biological Opinions, which will provide the basis for the Klamath Basin water
allocation for 2002.
Copies
of the draft BA may be obtained at Reclamation's Klamath Falls office, located
at 6600 Washburn Way, Klamath Falls, OR 97603, or by calling 541-883-6935. The draft may also be accessed on the
Internet beginning January 29 at http://www.doi.gov. Comments on the draft Assessment should be directed to Bob Davis
at the same address.
A
contemporary water management agency, Reclamation is the largest wholesale
water supplier in the United States, with operations and facilities in the 17
western states. Today, these facilities
include 348 reservoirs with the capacity to store 245 million acre-feet of
water.
Reclamation
projects supply one out of five western farmers with irrigation water for
approximately 10 million farmland acres.
Reclamation facilities also provide water to about 31 million people for
municipal and industrial uses. In
addition, Reclamation is the nation's second largest producer of hydroelectric
power, generating more than 42 billion kilowatt hours of energy each year from
58 hydroelectric power plants. Its
facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and
wildlife benefits.
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