NFIB

Farmers' Livelihood Dried Up by Federal Regs
03/ 22/ 2002

The small Oregon town of Klamath Falls is the site of a conflict between the EPA, which wants to save endangered suckerfish, and farmers whose land and livelihoods are being "endangered."

In April, the federal government shut the headgates of the Upper Klamath Lake Dam to reserve water for suckerfish, cutting off water to 1,500 farms. Experts dispute the notion that suckerfish need higher water levels to survive, or that the suckerfish is an endangered species at all. NFIB Member Bob Gasser testified before a congressional committee in June that unless water was restored to his Basin Fertilizer Company in Merrill, Ore., his business would be in jeopardy.

Where it stands: In July, officials released 75,000 acre-feet of water to help parched farms, but farmers said the limited release was too little, too late. NFIB sent a letter to Interior Secretary Gale Norton urging the use of every avenue possible to develop a long-term solution to allow small business and farmers to coexist with endangered species.

What you can do: If you are a farmer affected by the headgates closing, call 1-800-552-NFIB (6342).

Small Business Sound Off
Does this story hit home?  Share your story with us