From the Chair

By Joe Watkins

This is my first newsletter article as chairman of the KSWCD Board of Directors. I would like to begin by thanking past chairman, Martin Kerns, for his many years of outstanding leadership for this organization. Martin has served the district for over 25 years and as chairman for a great many of those.

He has seen the KSWCD grow from a small office with a part time staff to an organization with four employees responding to over 6,000 requests for information and technical assistance last year. I am personally thankful that he remains on the KSWCD Board of Directors and will continue to be fully engaged, active and supportive of the District.

Another round of EQIP contracting is upon us. This program allows landowners access to technical assistance from KSWCD and NRCS planning staffs to coordinate multiple conservation activities on their property. In a time when there is so much demand on our irrigation water, landowners are hoping the money they spend will not only make a difference in irrigation water management, but that it will provide some assurance of delivery of our stored irrigation water supplies. EQIP is a great tool that is available for landowners, and it has provided a significant opportunity for water conservation.

I would like to urge landowners to involve themselves in the ongoing struggle to secure delivery of water supplies for agriculture in the upper Basin.

· Confidential negotiations are occurring that could impact water supply and power rates.

· The BOR is forming the Conservation Implementation Program (CIP), which landowners can help shape. That may guide conservation measures and impact water allocation in the Klamath River system.

· The BOR is conducting an assessment of the Lower Lost River system.

· US Fish and Wildlife Service continues to work on fish assessments, counts and plans.

· The Watershed Council continues to work on watershed improvements in the Basin.

These are just some examples of organizations and efforts towards solutions to the water problems in the Klamath River system and again I urge everyone to participate in these efforts for workable solutions for agriculture and ranching in the Upper Klamath Basin.