April 27, 2023

Wyden, Merkley: $3.7 Million in Federal Resources for Drought to Focus on Klamath Basin

Interior Department resources are the latest investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s overall $162 million for the basin

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today that the Klamath Basin will be the focus of an additional $3.7 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for drought resiliency.

This Interior Department investment building on previous department investments to restore aquatic ecosystems and salmon in the basin comes in response to an October 2022 letter from Wyden and Merkley seeking drought relief for the Klamath Basin.

“The major drought that’s slammed the Klamath Basin requires a major federal response to help the community weather the crisis and move forward to a secure future,” Wyden said. “This fresh investment is a key piece of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s overall investment making a real local impact, and I’ll keep pressing to ensure the Tribal, farming, ranching and fishing communities receive the resources they need and deserve.”

“The Klamath Basin community has faced years of devastating drought fueled by climate chaos, and the major investments being made through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are key to finding real solutions to tackle their ongoing water crisis,” said Senator Merkley.?“This latest critical funding gives the region more tools in the toolbox to build the drought resiliency needed for the dynamic community of tribal members, farmers, ranchers, and fishermen to thrive.” 

The latest investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law  is part of an overall $162 million for the Klamath Basin targeting projects and activities that support -- or will help improve -- rivers, lakes, wetlands, and their associated riparian habitats that historically supported millions of fish and waterbirds.