The Bureau of Reclamation award will benefit projects by The Klamath Tribes, Hoopa Valley Tribe, Karuk Tribe, Modoc Nation, Pulikla Tribe of Yurok People, and Yurok Tribe.
Washington D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced a federal investment of $4.6 million for six Klamath Basin Tribes to support 14 projects aimed at combating drought and building resilience in Tribal communities across the region.
“Resiliency in the face of drought is essential for rural communities to thrive like those that depend on the Klamath Basin,” dijo Wyden. “This investment is critical to combat persistent drought caused by the climate crisis, and maintaining the progress local Tribes have achieved with ecosystem restoration projects. I will continue to fight for additional resources to support recovery and resilience in the Klamath Basin and across Oregon.”
“Prolonged drought is having severe impacts across the Klamath Basin, harming our Tribal and rural communities, fish, and wildlife,” dijo Merkley. “These federal investments for Klamath Basin Tribes to build greater drought resilience, improve water infrastructure, and boost ecosystem restoration will make this unique region’s water go farther for the people and delicate ecosystems that rely on it. I will continue to champion recovery efforts in the Basin and for all of Oregon to prepare and respond to the more frequent and devastating droughts caused by climate chaos.”
This investment from the Bureau of Reclamation will go to projects developed by The Klamath Tribes, Hoopa Valley Tribe, Karuk Tribe, Modoc Nation, Pulikla Tribe of Yurok People, and Yurok Tribe. Of the 14 projects, eight will help Tribes conduct environmental and ecosystem analysis and data collection to prepare for drought, restore ecosystems, and build resilience. The remaining projects will focus on general drought preparation, capacity building, outreach, and infrastructure improvements.
“We extend appreciation and offer our thanks to the Oregon Congressional Delegation, Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and Congressman Cliff Bentz for much needed Drought and Resiliency Program funding through the USDI Bureau of Reclamation. These investments represent another critical step necessary to address climate change, the effects of decades of drought in the Klamath River and Upper Klamath Watersheds in order to better understand the effects on water quality, wetlands, watershed and head waters functions and health. The funding will support critical data collection, monitoring and restoration projects that build resiliency. The Tribes are praying will rapidly improve water quality to prevent the C’waam and Koptu Mullet species from going extinct, and to ensure the cultural liberation of the C’yaal’s (salmon), the aquatic species, first food plants, upland and big game ecosystems,” said William Ray, Jr, Chairman of The Klamath Tribes Tribal Council.
Wyden and Merkley have long been champions for resources for the Klamath Basin. In October, Wyden and Merkley announced $46 million a través de Ley de Infraestructura Bipartidista to boost ecosystem restoration and enhance water quality and reliability in the Klamath Basin. In August, the senators announced $3 millones to the Klamath Basin for habitat restoration following dam removals. In April, the senators announced $8.5 million in drought relief aid for Klamath Basin communities and $5 million in technical assistance for Klamath Basin Tribes impacted by prolonged drought. In February, Wyden and Merkley announced $72 million in federal funding to the Klamath Basin for critical ecosystem restoration projects and agricultural infrastructure modernization.
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