Mike Thompson: “Mr. Chairman, as we all know and probably too well, water issues in the Klamath Basin have caused a number of conflicts…”

“Mr. Chairman, as we all know and probably too well, water issues in the Klamath Basin have caused a number of conflicts, not only in the upper, mid, and lower basin but also right here in this House in Washington, DC. But, Mr. Chairman, this afternoon I would like to bring to our attention what I believe to be a very positive step towards bringing some meaningful help to this issue of water throughout the Klamath Basin, a positive step that addresses both the issues that are important to farming and the issues important to fishing. The land management agencies have pointed out that by repairing two dams in the Marble Mountain Wilderness Area that we could provide extra cool, clean water down one of the Klamath River's most important tributaries. I am working with other members of the California delegation and our colleague from the Oregon delegation who has this Klamath Basin in his district to explore potentially promising alternatives for the Klamath Basin, and I would ask my colleagues to please indulge us and to help us work through this in using the Interior appropriations bill as the vehicle to provide whatever may prove to be necessary to make these good, positive steps to continue so we can get this behind us.”