From the Chair

By Joe Watkins

As we wind down the old “Farm Bill”, the good faith conservation efforts of Klamath Basin landowners during the past few years will prove to be appreciated and successful. It would be of great value if irrigators would be given assurance of water deliveries as a direct result of their conservation activities. The final determining factor of success will be judged only in time. There are no crystal balls.

At the KSWCD, we willingly support and partner with individuals, organizations and agencies that realize proper conservation efforts bring about total use of the abundant resources available to wildlife, fish and man. We know from years of experience that no one has to be excluded from using resources, and single use measures in most cases result in degradation of the very land it was designed to help. In the Klamath Basin, we have been the beneficiaries of considerable funds to make certain good conservation projects are put in place. We are confident that the money invested for conservation in our basin has been maximized for the benefit of all.

We are now looking forward in anticipation of the new “Farm Bill”. New areas of conservation activities are being researched, and new projects will be implemented. With new programs available, and willing landowners participating, another new era of conservation will begin. With a little give and take, hopefully all interested and concerned parties will be able to cooperate and make certain that our way of life in the Klamath Basin will continue for decades to come.