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$50M in federal funding will support drought programs in the Klamath basin

The Klamath River flows through what was the Copco Lake Reservoir in Feb. 2024.
Juliet Grable
/
JPR
The Klamath River flows through what was the Copco Lake Reservoir in Feb. 2024.

Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that a $50 million federal investment from the Inflation Reduction Act is headed to the Klamath Basin to largely fund a new agreement that supports irrigators facing prolonged drought conditions.

Joining the Exchange to discuss the use of the funds is Marc Staunton, President of the Klamath Project Drought Agency.

The programs receiving funding will support the region’s farmers and ranchers under a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Bureau of Reclamation and the Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA), as well as the Klamath Project Drought Response Agency (KPDRA)—which was created by Merkley.

The agreement cements a shared commitment between the groups to work together to improve water supply and reliability for the Klamath Project.

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Mike Green is host of the Jefferson Exchange. Mike has lived in Southern Oregon for more than two decades. He is an award-winning journalist with over 20 years experience in media, specializing in media innovation, inclusive economics and entrepreneurship.
Natalie Golay is the Senior Producer of the Jefferson Exchange. She has a B.A. in Visual Arts, a multimedia certificate from the Vancouver Film school, and a law degree from the University of British Columbia. A communications professional for over 20 years, Natalie is a natural storyteller with extensive audio and video production skills.