“There will never be 100% consensus – the interests in our rural communities are too diverse – but when faced with the potential of moving forward, we must seize it.” 

– Martin Goebel, President, Sustainable Northwest

In 2001, a severe drought in the upper Klamath basin triggered clashes over limited water supplies. Fish protections mandated by the Endangered Species Act cut off water for irrigators, and the tense situation became a national symbol of Western water wars and environmental conflict.

The problem made national headlines and a New York Times editorial noted, "“The fundamental problem in that the Klamath Basin is an overstressed ecosystem in which there are too many claimants for too little water."

A second year of drought followed in 2002, but this time federal agencies channeled water to irrigators, causing one of the largest fish die offs in history. Court battles, name calling and negative media were the only tools in use.

Crisis plants the seed of opportunity

Exhausted from legal challenges that resulted in little to no progress toward a solution, a few courageous individuals resorted to a new tactic -- working together. 

The dramatic transformation of the basin from poster-child for conflict to model of collaboration is an example of what’s possible when locals lead and craft their own vision and solutions for their shared future. Perhaps the strongest motivation is the desire by all stakeholders to create a watershed community in which their children, and generations to come, will choose to stay, live, and work as stewards of their place.

We can all learn from the KBRA effort as more and more rural communities tackle problems stemming from conflicting demands on scarce natural resources. For twenty years, the Klamath has lagged: now it is poised to lead.