|
Are we at the table or on menu? |
| | |
Giving thanks is often difficult. | |
Giving thanks can sometimes seem particularly difficult when navigating federal policies that undermine rather than support our community. Our 12 August newsletter shared documents and expressed frustration with federal officials and agency decisions harming agriculture in the Klamath Basin and threatening our way of life.
Although we have every right to be frustrated, it is also important to acknowledge when agencies and officials do provide genuine assistance and understanding. We must also appreciate that many federal officials are doing everything they can within the system's stuctures to ensure farmers are not forgotten. Despite the challenging circumstances, it is important to express our thanks.
It is also important to remember that we must continue fostering dialogue and seeking solutions that benefit our communities. We must do this even when it appears those who shall not be named manipulating the system to work hard against positive outcomes for all our communities.
| | |
- 2024 Irrigation Season Update
- ESA Section 7(a)(2) Consultation Update
- Giving Thanks to those who Serve
- Upcoming Events
- NOTICE OF DIRECTOR OPENING
- What We Are Reading
- Opportunities
| |
2024 Irrigation Season Update | |
|
Since our 12 August Newsletter was published, the Klamath Reclamation Project district managers met with Reclamation officials to discuss our projections, irrigation demand through November, and the 2024 Operations Plan.
What we know:
Reclamation is unlikely to have a new Proposed Action on 1 October 2024.
- Reclamation has proposed providing direction in October, November, and potentially into December under the failed Interim Operations Plan rules.
- It is unclear if the expired Biological Opinions and Operations Plan will give Reclamation "take" coverage until the new Biological Opinions are received, analyzed and determined if a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is going to be produced.
Cooler weather and forecasts show higher than average precipitation are anticipated.
- The cooler weather has already shown a decrease in demand; we are hopeful the increased precipitation will continue to reduce demand so that the irrigation season can be extended to facilitate harvest.
Klamath Irrigation District received information on the location of lands that applied to follow the ground in the no-irrigation programs.
- Ditchriders and staff are pre-scrubbing the information to determine if specific lands are ineligible to give our directors clear information at our next board of directors' meeting.
Federal parties have communicated that even though Klamath farmers own water rights to more than twice this amount, and Upper Klamath Lake was in flood stage earlier this year, the federal government will prevent Klamath farmers from using more than 260,000 acre-feet of water this irrigation season.
Even though the federal government has acknowledged it has no discretion to curtail Van Brimmer water deliveries and Henley Ankeny water rights date back to 1883, it will stop water from being beneficially used once a total of 260,000 acre-feet has been used this irrigation season.
Van Brimmer Ditch Company has a standing water order for 50cfs through 15 October.
Henley Ankey Landowners (with an 1884 water right) have also expressed an anticipated demand of 49cfs into October.
Reclamation is making this decision to curtail water deliveries to pre-Project water rights even though more than 260,000 acre-feet of water is physically available for diversion from Upper Klamath Lake, which is consistent with the water rights of the Klamath Tribes and the expiring opinion. In other words, farmers are being arbitrarily shut off once they have used 260,000 acre-feet, even though more water may be diverted for irrigation towards beneficial use without causing any shortage in the quantity of water said to be needed for threatened and endangered fish.
In fact, it is estimated that well over 60,000 acre-feet of stored water, above the arbitrary lake elevations contained in the USFWS expiring Biological Opinion, will remain in UKL at the end of the irrigation season. This estimate includes returning some water to Lower Klamath Lake and Tulelake National Wildlife Refuges, which are currently experiencing botulism and other ecological impacts from stagnant water in these very productive breeding habitats.
Over 100 curtailment letters have been sent to farmers to take lands out of production.
- Over 30 of the individuals have come into the HQ to challenge our records and our authority.
- It is still unclear if the Secretary of the Interior has properly notified Klamath Irrigation District of this action, as described in Section 13(f) of our contract.
- Reclamation has not yet responded to our 22 July 2024 email or our official 29 July correspondence asking for clarification.
Klamath Irrigation District Board of Directors will need to provide specific guidance to the K.I.D. staff regarding the District's end of the 2024 irrigation season and how to address the standing water orders for beneficial use that may exceed 260,000 acre-feet. This may occur during the 12 September Board of Directors meeting or at a directors' Emergency or Special meeting if we receive notice to shut-off before reaching an assessment that water is no longer being delivered for beneficial use without waste or 31 October, whichever occurs first.
The directors have approved no shut-off date or volume.
The directors continue to promote that actions be taken to immediately initiate the flow-through concept as K.I.D. presented to the ESA Section (7)(a)(2) Management Team, Technical Team, and Agencies last fall.
What we assume:
- The cooler weather and precipitation will continue to reduce demand.
- The cooler weather will begin to mitigate moss and invasive weed problems, negatively impacting our recirculation capacity.
- Power outages brought on by the PacfiCorps policy shift will begin to abate, and irrigation water ordered will not flow past pumps shut off because of power outages.
- K.I.D. Ditrchriders can further choke down the system to reduce spills or turn off laterals that no longer have an anticipated demand.
We pray our actions will allow water to be delivered for beneficial use without waste into late September with a goal of not exceeding 260,000 acre-feet before 30 September.
Two weeks ago we assessed that there may be a 20,000-acre-feet shortage due to the irrigation demand through November. With the recent rains, cool weather, and forecast projects, it is likely the shortage will be less.
What can our landowners do?
Follow the K.I.D. water management policy handbook.
- Call water on. (Page 14)
- Call water off. (Page 14)
- Control your water from the point of delivery and minimize spill or excessive run-off
- Do not waste the limited irrigation water. Review page 16 of the policy handbook.
- Let your ditch rider know if you see an excessive spill.
Pray for divine intervention and that His will be done.
Let government officials know your thoughts on these issues. Klamath Drainage District has a good list of people to inform at this link.
| |
ESA Section 7 Consultation Update | |
The image above is a selection of notes taken during the 21 August 2024 ESA Section 7(a)(2) Consultation Management Team meeting in Klamath, CA, focusing on the expected communication conduct of the members to hold each member accountable for their words and deeds. | |
Reclamation Issues New Biological Assessment To Downsize the Klamath Project
| |
Reclamation is seeking ESA approval for a plan that is expected to produce water shortages in the Klamath Irrigation District (K.I.D.) and Tulelake Irrigation District (TID) seventy-seven percent (77%) of the time. Under this new plan, there will be no water at all for K.I.D. and TID approximately 16% of the time. Since "B" and "C "contractors within the Klamath Project only receive water after K.I.D. and TID needs are fully met, this plan is expected to put many "B" and "C" contractors out of business and significantly downsize the Klamath Project.
The agencies responsible for determining Reclamation’s ESA compliance can only assess the plans that Reclamation provides them. Since Reclamation has not asked for ESA approval of any plan that would result in Klamath farmers receiving the water they are entitled to under their water rights, no such approval will be granted. Instead, the agencies will merely consider whether Reclamation’s plans not to deliver water to Klamath farmers comply with the ESA.
Once Reclamation’s plans for diminished deliveries receive ESA approval, Reclamation will be able to claim that the ESA prohibits greater water deliveries. However, this will only be because Reclamation never asked the agencies to consider whether greater water deliveries could be made in compliance with the ESA. In other words, if this plan is implemented, Klamath farmers will be told that full water deliveries violate the ESA even though Reclamation never provided the ESA compliance agencies the opportunity to consider whether full deliveries may be made consistent with the ESA.
| |
Reclamation Has No Guidance to Follow the Secretary of Interior Memo on Section 7(a)(1)
| |
On 6 February 2004, the Secretary of Interior directed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to follow the law passed by Congress directing the agencies to engage in ESA Section 7(a)(1) activities "to meet their responsibilities under Section 7(a)(2)."
The memo can be reviewed here.
The Bureau of Reclamation does not appear to have implemented this directive into the Klamath Reclamation Project ESA Section 7 discussions or actions. Recent talks with Reclamation officials state Reclamation has not initiated ESA Section 7(a)(1) actions in Klamath as required by Congress (law) because they have not been told to specifically do so despite the Secretary Memo clearly articulates that...
"Federal agencies have affirmative obligations to use their authorities to develop and carry out programs for the conservation of endangered and threatened species. This obligation is species-specific and is triggered when a species is listed under the ESA. Agencies have considerable discretion about what measures to take to meet the conservation obligation, but the duty to comply with Section 7(a)(1) is non-discretionary.
Finally, Section 7(a)(1) programs that move species toward recovery may assist Federal agencies with their obligations under Section 7(a)(2) to ensure their actions do not jeopardize listed species. Robust Section 7(a)(1) programs therefore have the potential to streamline or, in highly successful cases, eliminate the need for consultation under Section 7(a)(2).
For all of these reasons, Section 7(a)(1)’s front-end approach to species conservation holds a great deal of unrealized potential to achieve the ESA’s goals of species protection and recovery."
| |
Executive Director Notes from the 21 August 2024 Meeting of the psuedo ESA Section 7(a)(2) Consultation Management Team Meeting. | |
Communications across stakeholders can improve.
- K.I.D.'s calling out individual members of the Management Team in the 12 August newsletter is considered a breach of trust and poor form.
- Management Team members demand accountability of its membership.
- Management Team members would like its membership to reduce/eliminate the rhetoric being communicated to the public.
- This will be a topic of discussion at the next K.I.D. Board of Directors Meeting
This group continues to focus on issues far outside ESA Section 7(a)(2)
- Rarely do "scientifically proven biological needs" of threatened and endangered species get mentioned.
- Water being colored and placed into buckets labeled yours and mine is predominant in the discussions and highly unproductive.
- When members of the group suggest we should have discussions about an evaluation of how the Klamath Reclamation Project operating as designed is effecting (or affecting) species, we shift topics.
National Wildlife Refuges Update
- Representatives from USFWS discussed preparations to breach the dykes at the Agency Barnes Ranch complex is on schedule. This breach is scheduled to occur after 1 October and may drop Upper Klamath Lake elevations by 0.3 feet (about 3.6 inches); this will not release any stored water and will open up about 14,000 acres of habitat for fry and juvenile endangered fish in addition to other fish and wildlife.
- Water to the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge and Tulelake Wildlife Refuges is on-going since this past Saturday to help mitigate botulism and other ecological issues.
- Endangered fish are seen to have returned in the Tulelake Sumps after they were dried out in 2021 and 2022.
- USFWS is looking to study endangered fish spawning in the Lost River below Anderson-Rose Dam
Sediment Flushing Flows in the Klamath River
- Representatives from NMFS (NOAA Fisheries) provided information that flows for coffer dam breaches are anticipated to be zero (0) net change to the amount of water going into the river as fluctuations of flows are initiated to move sediment.
- Little discussion was observed on the impact of this sediment on the salmonoids that have entered the estuary of the Klamath River and are preparing to return to spawning habitat in the upcoming days.
NEPA Update
- Reclamation indicated a timeline for completing the ESA Section 7(a)(2) consultation, which implied that Reclamation is anticipating writing a Finding of No Significant Impact from this action on our farms, on our economy, on our ecosystem, and on our psyche.
- As mentioned in our 12 August newsletter, K.I.D. anticipates Reclamation will publish a FONSI (finding of no significant impact) upon receiving both biological opinions. That means, Reclamation, if they publish a FONSI as they have done since 1992 and elect not to conduct an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is stating that the ecological destruction of its action is insignificant; the people who have built their lives on the promises made in writing are irrelevant, and the conflict it is creating for this region is acceptable practice. It also assumes that Reclamation taking over the operation of Keno dam is not significant enough to evaluate and seems counter to existing requirements outlined in the U.S. Code (federal laws enacted by Congress).
Biological Opinions Update
- Both services (USFWS and NMFS) anticipate completing their opinions on the biological effects on endangered and threatened species by the action they modeled for Reclamation to write an action on in early October.
Klamath Basin Collaborative Science Team
- Reclamation mentioned an initiative to stand up a team of federal scientists to evaluate the effects of the upcoming 2025-2029 action.
| |
Give Thanks to Those Who Serve the People... | |
Last direct communication with K.I.D.'s surrogates on issues: July 2024 | |
Camille Calimlin Touton
24th Commissioner at the Bureau of Reclamation
We express our profound gratitude for your steadfast support and dedication to the people of the Klamath Basin. Over the years, we have consistently observed your engagement, attentiveness, and proactive efforts to address the challenges we face, often arising from policies beyond your control.
Your commitment has been evident through your responsiveness and the resources you have mobilized to alleviate the impact of unfavorable policies. We deeply appreciate the collaboration and constructive dialogue you have maintained with Senator Merkley, Congressman Bentz, their staffs, as well as our lobbyists and other stakeholders. Your willingness to work closely with these key figures has been instrumental in navigating the complexities of our situation.
The interventions and support you provided in 2022, 2023, and 2024 have made a significant difference. Without your dedicated efforts, the Klamath Basin would undoubtedly be in a far more challenging position. Your advocacy has been a crucial factor in mitigating many of the difficulties we have faced.
Thank you, Commissioner Touton, for your unwavering service and for being a true ally to the people of the Klamath Basin. Your dedication is not only recognized but deeply appreciated by all of us.
| | |
|
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks
We extend our sincere appreciation for your outstanding efforts as the Department of Interior point person appointed by the Secretary of the Interior. Your role in facilitating discussions among diverse stakeholders has been both challenging and crucial, and your dedication to this thankless task has not gone unnoticed.
Your work has been instrumental in bridging gaps that emerged following the failure of the KBRA and the unsuccessful attempt by Mr. Mickleson to form a "Coalition of the Willing." Thanks to your efforts, we have seen significant improvements in communication, agreements, and memorandums of understanding. These advancements have set a positive foundation for stakeholders to collaborate more effectively and work towards mutually beneficial solutions.
We deeply value your commitment to fostering dialogue, your insightful questions, and the constructive feedback you provide. Your efforts have been vital in moving us towards a more promising future, and for that, we are truly grateful.
Thank you, Matt, for your exceptional contributions and for your unwavering dedication to improving our collective efforts.
| |
Last direct communication with K.I.D. on issues: 21 August 2024 | |
Last communication with K.I.D. surrogates: August 2024 | |
|
USFWS Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region
Director Souza has repeatedly communicated a clear intent to advance in a positive direction, ensuring that agricultural interests are not compromised. Your ability to collaborate with various stakeholders and navigate complex policies has led to meaningful improvements and positive outcomes.
It’s a testament to your dedication that whenever we reach out, you are always responsive and available. Your readiness to address concerns and work towards effective solutions has made a significant difference.
Without your engagement and leadership, our refuges and ecosystem would have faced severe setbacks due directly to the NMFS position in Reclamation’s latest 2025-2029 proposed action. Your efforts have ensured that these vital resources have not been abandoned, and for that, we are deeply grateful.
Thank you, Paul, for your steadfast support and for being a crucial ally in our ongoing efforts to battle the injustice of federal solicitors and Department of Justice attorneys.
| | |
Government Officers - Responsive and Engaged | |
Richard Whitman
Klamath Coordinator for Oregon Water Resources and Oregon Fish & Wildlife
Mr. Whitman has long been involved in Klamath River issues. Mr. Whitman and K.I.D. have not always been on the same side of issues; in fact, the District has often taken exception to specific Oregon policy positions connected to Mr. Whitman which have resulted in expensive litigation. However, despite these differences, Mr. Whitman's interaction with Reclamation's 2025-2029 proposed action has aligned with K.I.D. on several issues.
Again, when we call and ask questions, Mr. Whitman answers; just answering the phone often times alleviate conflict and frustration.
Thank you Richard for your engagement on behalf of Oregonian's, reinforcing our positions, and asking the federal government to acknowledge Oregon's laws.
| |
Last K.I.D. direct communication with Mr. Whitman: 22 August 2024 | |
K.I.D.'s last direct communication with Director Gall was 12 August 2024 | |
Oregon Water Resouces Department Director confirms the 2013 Dispute Resolution "MOU" is no longer in effect.
After more than two years of requests and a lengthy law-suit against OWRD, Ivan Gall the Director confirms the dispute resolution notice with the Yurok Tribe is no longer in effect. Ivan Gall has done what the previous directors have failed to do, respond and engage.
The outdated dispute resolution notice can be viewed at this link.
The dispute initiation notice states that OWRD does not recognize flows that the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation chooses to release downstream in the Klamath River under the guise requirements imposed by the Endangered Species Act, thus pseudo-applicable to federal law as an authorized use of water outside the Klamath River Adjudication, and that OWRD will require the BOR to cease releasing these flows under certain circumstances.
Ivan states that the document was terminated with the termination of the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement.
Unfortunately, a recent Federal Court ruling does limit Oregon Water Resources Department’s ability to issue regulation orders to the BOR when the water passing Link River Dam is being done to meet the flow requirements the BOR imposed upon itself under the Endangered Species Act. There is no change of policy on the part of the Department.
Bottom line: OWRD has been observed changing its approach to enforcing the ACFFOD in the Klamath watershed over the past two years; however, it is anticipated that Reclamation will continue to offer no enforcement to protect water stored in UKL to meet KA1000 claims; it is yet undetermined if pre-project 1883/1884 KA1002 and KA1004 claims will also continue to be ignored.
| | | |
The Henley FFA Alumni and Supporters
Casino night: Saturday, 28 September, at 5 pm, at the Linman Building of the Klamath County Fairgrounds.
The night will feature a tri-tip dinner, bar, silent auction, and casino-inspired gaming tables, where patrons can gamble with "funny money" (like Monopoly money) and win prizes.
Please join the agricultural community of the Klamath Basin and support a premier youth leadership organization that is building future agricultural leaders and advocates.
If you might like to purchase individual tickets or a table for eight guests, tickets are available here:
www.henleycasinonight.com
| |
K.I.D. September Board Meeting
12 September 2024 at 1pm in K.I.D. Board Room
Visit our website.
| |
|
NOTICE of K.I.D. 2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION
Klamath Irrigation District will begin accepting nominations for one Board of Directors position (Division 2) beginning 29 August. The district will accept nominations through the close of business (5pm) on 8 October.
If only one petition is received for a division, the petitioner will be certified as having been nominated and elected for that Division. The receipt of two or more petitions for the Division will require an official election to be held on Tuesday, November 12, 2024. The election will be a vote-by-mail.
Qualifications: Must be 18+, own property within Division 2, reside in Oregon, and submit a petition signed by 10 qualified voters by 4:00 P.M. on October 8, 2024. The three-year term begins January 1, 2025.
| | |
|
Oregon Water Resources Congress
6th Annual Elmer G. McDaniels Memorial Golf Tournament
October 2, 2024 in Sisters, OR
More information to come
OWRC Technical Seminar
October 3, 2024 in Sisters, OR
More information to come
OWRC Board Meeting
October 4, 2024 in Sisters, OR (and virtual)
RSPV to the OWRC office
More information to come
| | |
DOI Environmental Justice Technical Assistance Webinar Series
The Department of the Interior’s Environmental Justice Technical Assistance Webinar Series will take place on September 17, 2024, from 2:30 to 3:30 ET! .
Environmental Justice Website
| |
| |
|
OWRD Groundwater Allocation Rulemaking
The Water Resources Commission will be considering the proposed rules for adoption during the September 12 meeting, to be held hybrid in Medford. The meeting materials for this agenda item are now available online.
In response to the public comments received, we have revised the proposed rules, focusing primarily on two issues:
• The potential for unintended impacts of the proposed rules on existing groundwater uses.
• The factors the Commission will use to determine when a basin program rule’s definition of Reasonably Stable Groundwater Levels can override the statewide definition.
As outlined in the staff report, we also received comments on many other issues, including:
• The adequacy of existing management tools.
• Preference for a basin-level as opposed to state-level approach.
• Methodology concerning assessing Potential for Substantial Interference.
• Impact on future municipal water supplies needed to support housing goals.
• Need for improved coordination and consultation with Tribes.
We have addressed these comments in the Summary of Comments and Response documents (Attachments 5 and 7) included in the Commission materials.
If you have any questions about this proposed rulemaking, please contact WRD_DL_rule-coordinator@water.oregon.gov or 971-720-0963.
| | |
|
32nd Annual
Endangered Species Act
The 32nd Annual Endangered Species Act conference is a two-day seminar in which ESA practitioners, agency officials, and scientists provide the latest and most important information you’ll need for ESA compliance. This conference will help attorneys, businesses, conservation organizations, and government staff to understand the complexities of the law.
PROGRAM CO-CHAIRS
Amy J. Dona is an Assistant Attorney General and Team Leader in the Public Lands and Conservation Division of the Washington Attorney General’s Office. She is lead attorney on wildlife matters and advises on tribal hunting.
Cherise M. Gaffney is a partner with Stoel Rives LLP, in the firm’s Natural Resources and Land Use practice group. She focuses on federal environmental and natural resources law with an emphasis on endangered species.
Ankur K. Tohan is a partner with K&L Gates LLP in the firm’s Environmental, Land and Natural Resources practice. His practice focuses on energy infrastructure, natural resource development, and compliance counseling.
More Information
| |
State of the Klamath Project | Harvesters are combing through fields of grain. Hay trucks are rolling off the scales. Garlic is getting sorted and shipped south, rootstock for next year's crop. Bright green fields of | | |
Water transfer from Oregon ranch to California refuge ruled lawful | Irrigators have failed to persuade the Oregon Court of Appeals that a water transfer between a Klamath basin ranch and a wildlife refuge was unlawful. | | |
Readers respond: Save the Klamath refuge | Letters to the Editor can be submitted to letters@oregonian.com with full name and place of residence. | | | |
Thousands of birds die of bird flu and botulism at wildlife refuges in southern Oregon | At least 5,000 birds have died so far this summer at a network of wildlife refuges on the Oregon-California border, sparking fears of another large outbreak of disease. | | |
Klamath Basin Wildlife Refuges Battle Suspected Botulism and Bird Flu Outbreak | Thousands of birds perish in Klamath complex | | | |
Lights out for PacifiCorp on the Klamath River as Keno Dam transferred to federal ownership | On July 30, 2024, ownership of Keno Dam changed, with PacifiCorp transferring the title to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. There was no fanfare, no media event, no press release. | | |
Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grants for Tribes and Underserved Communities Selected for Funding | NOAA has run two rounds of the Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grants for Tribes and Underserved Communities funding opportunity under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. In the first round of funding, NOAA awarded nearly $25 million in funding for 35 projects. | | | |
|
Story by Tom Joyce | The Center Square contributor
(The Center Square) - Oregon and the Klamath Basin are receiving $35,148,287 from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund.
The funding comes from a federal taxpayer grant program designed to help restore Pacific salmon and steelhead.
| | |
Feds: Tidegate protecting farmland jeopardizes salmon, killer whales | The National Marine Fisheries Service has blocked a drainage district from replacing a failing tidegate that keeps saltwater from flooding about 400 acres of farmland in Skagit County, Wash. NMFS West Coast administrator Jennifer Quan said in a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers repairing the gate would jeopardize the existence of Puget Sound chinook salmon and killer whales, which eat the salmon. | | | |
DAILY DIGEST, 8/23: California's prenup with the feds on water; Hearing officer pauses Delta tunnel deadlines amid tribal and community concerns; Collaborative research effort leverages nature for groundwater replenishment; Sonoma Court issues landmark ruling to protect the Russian River; and more ... | cmtoc_table_of_contents] Several news sources featured in the Daily Digest may limit the number of articles you can access without a subscription. However, gi | | |
Kotek asks Biden to protect Oregon's 'Grand Canyon' if Congress doesn't | Following nearly five years of negotiations and three attempts by Oregon's U.S. senators to get federal protection for southeast Oregon's Owyhee Canyonlands, Gov. Tina Kotek is joining the fight. | | |
Harris zeroes in on high food and housing prices as inflation plays a big role in the campaign | Vice President Kamala Harris is zeroing in on high food and housing prices as her campaign previews an economic policy speech coming up in North Carolina. | | |
The meat industry reacts to Harris' plan to ban 'price gouging' | Trade groups say the vice president's plan unfairly blames food companies for driving inflation without addressing the root causes for why prices are higher. | | |
9th Circ. Throws Alaska Fishers A Lifeline In Orca Food Case - Law360 | |
Alaskan salmon fishers got the green light to continue their hunts as the Ninth Circuit on Friday said a Washington federal judge "glossed over" severe economic consequences in holding that the fishing illegally reduced a food source for endangered orcas in Washington state.
| | | |
Oregon cattle likely killed by harmful algae, toxic plants | Twenty cattle likely died due to a harmful algae bloom at a Harney County reservoir and an increase in toxic plant consumption, according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture. | | |
Extreme heat is destroying corn crops around the world. US exporters could see a boost. | Unfavorable growing conditions in Europe and South America may be a bright spot for U.S. farmers as they struggle to offload record supply. | | |
Mid-Year Report, House Natural Resources Committee, 2024 | | | | | | |
