Senator Feinstein Announces Agreement to Provide $20 million
in Assistance to Klamath Basin Farmers
June 28, 2001

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today announced an agreement with Senator Robert Byrd (D-W.V.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, to provide $20 million in aid to farmers impacted by drought in the Klamath Basin in Northern California and Southern Oregon.

“I am very grateful to Senator Byrd, chairman of the Appropriations Committee, for agreeing to provide funds for mitigation for farmers who were not able to plant this season because of endangered species concerns brought on by the drought,” Senator Feinstein said. “It is clear to me that this mitigation measure is necessary and I hope that it will be helpful to farmers on both sides of the California-Oregon border. I also want to thank Senators Wyden and Smith for their help in achieving this agreement.”

The $20 million will be added as part of Senator Byrd’s manager’s amendment to the Supplemental Appropriations Bill now pending before the Senate. If the whole package is approved by the Senate, it will then go to a Senate-House Conference Committee where conflicts between the Senate and House bills will be worked out.

“The Klamath Basin is facing the worst drought in the Klamath River Project’s 90-year history and these funds are urgently needed,” Senator Feinstein said. “I am hopeful the funds are included in the final Supplemental Appropriations bill approved by Congress.”

Federal disaster declarations have already been issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for Modoc and Siskiyou Counties in California and Klamath County, Oregon. Economic losses to the farming communities have been estimated to be in excess of $220 million.

“What little rainfall that has occurred this year must be first applied to mandatory Tribal Treaty obligations and then to minimize endangered fish species losses. This leaves literally no water for about 85% of the Klamath Project-dependent farmers. Many of the farmers made a prudent decision not to plant crops for this growing season, knowing that their water supply would be seriously affected by the environmental needs of the Basin,” Senator Feinstein said. “Without a crop to lose these farmers were not eligible for these disaster loan programs. The Federal government has an obligation to help the family farmers in the Klamath Basin that have been financially damaged by drought and the environmental needs of the Basin.”