I live in the Klamath Basin, on the eastern border of Oregon and California. Historically, the basin was full of seasonal wetlands and home to millions and millions of birds. Local farmers and the Klamath National Wildlife Refuge Complex have kept this critical habitat thriving since the early 1900s. Now, the refuge is dry. Fields of crops are dying and birds are left with no food, no nesting areas, no space. Disease is running rampant. Farmers are being forced to use their personal wells and as result the water table is dropping significantly and people’s personal wells at their homes are drying up. People aren’t able to wash their dishes, shower, or cook with their once sustainable wells. 

What is causing this devastation? A drought? Poor farming practices? No. 

 

Bad, near sighted policy is to blame for the devastation of these high desert wetlands, one of the rarest ecosystems on Earth.

 

Klamath Lake, the largest lake in Oregon, is supposed to feed the wetlands and farmlands below. Now Klamath Lake sits, full of water, growing toxic algae instead of flowing freely and providing life giving water to the rest of the basin. Only one inch of water is needed to fully supply the farms, the lake level would only drop a couple inches to restore the refuge and the water table.

 

This manufactured drought is destroying critical habitat, healthy sustainable farms, and people’s lives. This once vibrant wetland is intentionally being turned into desert. 

 

Please sign this to let the state governments of California and Oregon and the Federal Government know that this senseless killing of wildlife, small businesses, and family homes cannot be tolerated. With the stroke of a pen, they can end the desertification of the Klamath Basin.

 

 

Thank you for taking the time to read. Please research the faulty policies dictating water management in the Klamath Basin if you’d like and I would love to discuss further with anyone who has questions

Lets Save the Klamath Basin Farms and Wetlands!