Sustainable Northwest builds on collaborative efforts

Program Director James Honey discusses Sustainable Northwest's role in the Klamath Basin restoration efforts.

In 2001 when Sustainable Northwest was invited to work in the Klamath Basin, the water conflicts were raging, conflict was everywhere, and the potential for anything better seemed remote.

Why would someone from Portland, raised in big cities, want to work in the Klamath Basin?

Growing up, I learned my love for the land in part from farm kids in the Central Valley. And in previous jobs I had seen the limitations of environmentalism that dismisses rural people.

I joined Sustainable Northwest because of our mission to partner with rural communities and businesses to achieve economic, social, and ecological sustainability. I knew that in Lake County Sustainable Northwest had successfully used a different approach to conflict. Committed local leaders, with Sustainable Northwest’s assistance, had re-authorized the Lakeview Sustained Yield Unit, helped keep the Collins mill open and paved the way for biomass projects in the area.

Working together brings answers

When Sustainable Northwest came to the Basin, we had no answers, but we knew that solutions would come from similar activities: ranchers, Indians, conservation groups and agencies working together.

At first, we learned at the Hydes’ ranch in Beatty. With neighbors, the Klamath Tribes and outside resources, we demonstrated with monitoring what many ranchers felt intuitively: That cows and creeks are not mutually exclusive. That some funding must be available to effectively restore fish and wildlife on ranches that face extremely tight operating margins. That regardless of history, it is possible for tribal and agricultural interests to work together respectfully.

In 2004 and 2005, we helped organize informal “living room” conversations between a number of tribal and agricultural folks in the Basin.

The question was whether the dam relicensing – which was going to significantly change things in the Basin no matter what – could be complemented so that it would help local communities and the fisheries.

As the “official” settlement process matured, it started to show potential: To create a workable balance of water between farming and fish; to address power needs for Basin agriculture and economic needs for tribal communities; and to achieve better habitat restoration and regulatory assurances for agriculture. We upped our commitment.

Sustainable Northwest has used its time, funds, and technical resources to support tribal, agricultural and environmental leaders who are committed to win-win outcomes in the Basin.

It has made sense to invest in capable lawyers to help off-Project folks wanting to settle, to study biomass generation opportunities, and to support individuals to have the time to contribute solutions to the negotiations.

Over eight years, I have spent months away from my family and friends traveling to the Basin. Driving back and forth, eating more Oakridge fast food than I care to remember, I’ve repeatedly asked myself questions that everyone should be asking about this settlement: Is there a better alternative? One that can actually be implemented? One that breaks the political and legal deadlock? One that works for farms and fish?

I have also thought about the many cups of coffee I’ve shared with local people in their home.

Lack of action would be wrong

We don’t all agree today, but I strongly believe that a “no-action” alternative at this point would be an irresponsible waste of the incredible effort and practical solutions identified by pragmatic leaders in and outside the Basin.

Sustainable Northwest’s entire board of directors and staff is proud to be a part of this hard work. The stories about the Klamath and its crises don’t ring as true anymore. Now, Klamath is telling a story about leadership in the West.