Klamath Basin Water Agreement Support Act of 2024

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Klamath Basin Water Agreement Support Act, which seeks to resolve stakeholder conflicts regarding water use and fish and wildlife management in the Klamath River Basin.

Since time immemorial, the Klamath River has supported the livelihoods of several tribes in the basin. It continues to play a key role in each of these tribes' cultures, economies, and food sovereignty.

Unfortunately, the construction of dams along the river and changing climate conditions in the basin resulted in devastating consequences for tribes, agriculture, fish and wildlife, and fishing communities as a result of reduced water flows.

Since planning for dam removal in the lower Klamath River started, there have been years of work and negotiations between the tribes and other parties to reach agreement on issues affecting water, fish, and wildlife in the basin.

After the removal of the four lower Klamath Dams, salmon have already begun migrating into previously inaccessible historic salmon spawning habitat. Good for them.

The legislation before us today would build on this historic restoration project by further supporting the commitments made under the Klamath Basin agreements.

I thank the majority for working with us to ensure that Tribal concerns with the introduced language were addressed prior to moving the bill out of committee.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Ms. KAMLAGER-DOVE. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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