Federal officials have finalized the biological opinions for the operation of the Klamath Project for this critically dry water year.  Based on those opinions and the requirements of Endangered Species Act, the Bureau of Reclamation announced today that no water will be available from Upper Klamath Lake to supply the farmers of the Klamath Project.  Furthermore, based on current estimates, Reclamation projects that there will be only about 70,000 acre-feet available for the irrigation of “A” lands on the east side of the basin.  That water will be supplied by Clear Lake and Gerber Reservoirs.  A full supply for the Project would be about 500,000 acre-feet.

             To provide some assistance to farmers affected by what is expected to be one of the driest years since the Project began in 1907, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces that most crops in the affected area are eligible for Federal crop insurance (if it had been purchased before the sales closing date) or other assistance.  Crop insurance protection is made available by USDA through private insurance agents and companies.  For producers carrying coverage, a portion of their otherwise irrigated crop losses resulting from the determination announced by the Bureau of Reclamation may be eligible for prevented planning payments.  Producers should contact their crop insurance agent for details.  Assistance is also provided through the Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) to producers growing crops that are currently uninsurable.  Details on producer eligibility for NAP assistance can be obtained at local Farm Service Agency offices.  General information on the programs may be found at http://www.usda.gov   .

 Oregon and California members of the United States Senate and House were extremely helpful during this crisis.  For days, since the draft biological opinions were made public, they worked tirelessly with Bush Administration officials to respond to the probable effects of this situation.  Representatives of Interior Secretary Gale Norton noted that the dry water year combined with the needs of the environment demonstrates why a long-term solution to the water needs of the basin is required. 

Reclamation’s Klamath Project serves approximately 1,400 farms totaling some 210,000 acres.  Farmers here grow a large variety of crops including barley, oats, wheat, potatoes, sugar beets and forage.  According to Bureau of Reclamation data for the year 2000, approximately 110,000 acres were planted in forage; 57,000 acres in cereal crops (including barley, oats, and wheat); 16,000 acres in vegetables (including potatoes); 7,000 acres in miscellaneous field crops (including sugar beets); 298 acres in seed crops; and 227 acres in nursery crops.