Klamath Water Users urge new Reclamation plan, raise power and billing concerns

Elizabeth Nielsen, executive director of the Klamath Water Users Association, told the Klamath County Board of Commissioners that new legal guidance from the U.S. Department of the Interior requires reconsultation with the Bureau of Reclamation and a new operational plan for the project.

"This legal guidance says that, that operation of Upper Klamath Lake and specifically Link River Dam for the purposes of flood control and project deliveries is a nondiscretionary," Nielsen said. She added that the project currently is being operated under a plan developed in late 2024 and that the association’s top priority is securing a revised plan through consultation with Reclamation.

Why it matters: Nielsen said the current plan leaves irrigators vulnerable in years that are not as wet as the present one, and that meeting irrigation needs this year was possible only because of unusually good water conditions. The association also raised separate, ongoing concerns about rising power costs, recent safety-related deenergizations by Pacific Power and billing practices that rely on historical billing when meters fail to report.

On power and billing, Mason Justice, a representative from Congressman Cliff Vince’s office who accompanied Nielsen, offered congressional support. Dave Hensley, a lobbyist with United Strategies and Consulting who represents the association, described the group’s size and economic impact: the association represents roughly 220,000 agricultural acres, about 1,200 family farms and ranches, and an estimated basin economic impact of $367,000,000.

The group also told commissioners it plans to continue advocacy around managed aquifer recharge (MAR) and has been meeting with the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) about recharge projects. Nielsen said the message to OWRD is that to reduce reliance on groundwater, surface water deliveries must be protected and prioritized.

Nielsen and Hensley discussed federal and state developments. Nielsen said Department of Interior guidance clarifies which actions are discretionary for ESA consultation and that the association aims to reconsult on project operations with Reclamation. Hensley said lawmakers in Salem have taken interest in the association’s power-billing concerns and that representatives Reschke and McIntyre had reached out to Pacific Power and the Oregon PUC.

On legislation, Hensley urged the county to oppose Senate Bill 1153, a water-transfer bill the association says would create delays and curtail flexibility in water-right transfers. "Delays and uncertainty in water transfer process will have direct negative impacts on climate basins agricultural economy and rural communities," he said, reading from the association’s written opposition.

Quotes in context: "We represent 220,000 agricultural acres... 1,200 family farms and ranches... economic impact... $367,000,000," Hensley said while distributing a one-page summary of the association’s profile. "If you wanna keep us out of the ground, then you need to fight above the surface with us and make sure that we're getting surface water deliveries," Nielsen said regarding MAR efforts.

The presenters also flagged local concerns arising from past dam-removal work and communications planning around Keno Dam, saying irrigators felt excluded from some discussions and that fish-screening questions remain unresolved.

The county took no formal vote on the items presented; commissioners agreed to continue regular coordination with the association and staff follow-up on specific matters raised.

Ending: Commissioners said they would keep the association engaged, and staff noted quarterly meetings are scheduled to continue discussion of managed aquifer recharge, power-billing complaints, and legislative priorities.