Oregon Gov.
Kate Brown spoke with a roomful of local leaders, irrigators and representatives of the Klamath Tribes on Tuesday morning at the Klamath County Government Center in downtown Klamath Falls before signing an Executive Order approving a drought declaration in Klamath County.
“We are very concerned about the upcoming summer season, the impacts on agriculture, livestock, natural resources, the economy,” Brown said, noting impacts could be “significant” during what she anticipates will be a “record-breaking” drought year.
Standing nearby Brown as she signed the order were County Commissioners Donnie Boyd, Kelley Minty Morris and Derrick DeGroot, as well as state Rep. E. Werner Reschke, R-Klamath Falls, state Sen. Dennis Linthicum, R-Klamath Falls, Klamath Tribes Chairman Don Gentry, Klamath Falls City Mayor Carol Westfall and Klamath County DA Eve Costello.
The in-person signing made good on a commitment she made to Boyd and Klamath Water Users Association Executive Director Scott White last month.
Brown is directing state agencies to coordinate and prioritize assistance to the region, and said continuing to work with federal partners on assistance is “critical.” Federal assistance Seeking solutions Klamath Tribes’ focus Irrigator impact With dry conditions, despite a rainy Tuesday, that is not the case this year for Robison.
He said he would like to plant 150 acres this year, but he said it’s not “concrete” yet because of the drought.