Ep. 27 : Positive Developments in the Klamath Basin: Insights from US Fish and Wildlife Biologists and CWA Task Force

In the latest episode of Save it for the Blind, hosts Jeff and Carson delve into the remarkable turnaround of the Klamath Basin's water situation. After enduring an emotional four-year drought, the landscape has been rejuvenated, boasting 13,000 acres of newly formed wetlands, thanks to a combination of a wet winter and strategic interventions.

US Fish & Wildlife Biologist John Vradenburg sits down with Klamath task force members Greg Dyer and Rob Plath along with Jeff and Carson to talk about the current climate in the Klamath Basin and many other hot topics. We discuss the water situation in many parts of the basin, the wildlife and habitat status as well as what the future may hold for that entire region as well as the hunting. Rob Plath and Greg Dyer discuss the permanent water rights deal that is nearing completion and how it is setting the tone for additional water purchases in the basin and in other areas as well as what is happening to cause the recent water to increase all over the LKNWR. John Vradenburg answers on behalf of the US Fish & Wildlife Service these specific questions for our viewers and listeners:

What is t Barnes/Agency project and prospects for getting more water to the refuge? What is the current hydrologic status for southern OR and water outlook for 2024? What’s the Service’s position and role in removing the ADY headgates/allowing water more freely flow into the refuge? What’s going on at Tule Lake refuge with water this year and will it last?