Bush Provides $7 Million for Klamath Basin

USDA Secretary Ann Veneman March 26 released $7 million to assist farmers in the Klamath Basin in Oregon and California. The funds are part of a $50 million fund for Klamath farmers made available through the 2002 Farm Bill. Klamath Basin farmers had irrigation water turned off in 2001 due to an endangered species issue.

Eligible farmers will receive financial and technical assistance to improve the efficiency of on-farm irrigation systems and use other measures that improve ground and surface water conservation, which will result in net savings in groundwater or surface water on the producer’s operation.    

In March 2002, President Bush established a cabinet-level Klamath River Basin Federal Working Group that includes the Departments of Interior, Agriculture and Commerce to address concerns raised by farmers, ranchers, fishermen, tribes and others affected by the conditions in Klamath.