# Plain Language Summary: Klamath Basin Water Agreement Support Act of 2024

This bill addresses a decades-long conflict over water in the Klamath River Basin, which spans Oregon and California. The core issue is that the federal government has been caught between two competing interests: protecting endangered fish species and maintaining water supplies for farmers and hydroelectric power. The bill aims to help resolve this conflict by giving the Secretary of the Interior new tools to support agricultural communities and manage water and power issues in the region.

The bill focuses on three main areas. First, it authorizes federal funding for water conservation and efficiency programs that local farming communities develop themselves—things like better irrigation techniques, groundwater use, and water management strategies. The goal is to help farmers get the water they need while reducing overall demand. Second, the bill addresses electricity costs. It requires the federal government to implement recommendations to bring power costs for irrigation users down to a specific benchmark level, recognizing that dam removal and environmental restrictions have made hydropower more expensive. Third, it provides federal support for restoration projects that protect fish habitats and tribal fisheries while also reducing impacts on irrigation infrastructure.

The bill also includes specific financial commitments. It allows the federal government to reimburse up to 69 percent of operating costs for one irrigation district's pumping facility, and it changes how the Klamath Irrigation District repays the federal government for canal repairs—making 35 percent of the cost a non-repayable grant and spreading the remaining 65 percent over 50 years instead of requiring faster repayment. Additionally, the bill prevents the federal government from charging irrigation contractors for environmental compliance costs that weren't explicitly part of their original contracts.

Importantly, the bill does not create new water rights, affect existing water rights, or authorize federal funding for removing the four dams currently under discussion for removal. It still requires compliance with environmental protection laws and tribal obligations. Essentially, this bill attempts to stabilize conditions for farming communities that have borne significant costs from environmental protections while still allowing the government to pursue fish and habitat restoration.

Klamath Basin Water Agreement Support Act of 2024

Bentz, Cliff

Klamath Basin Water Agreement Support Act of 2024This act expands the Klamath Basin Water Supply Enhancement Act of 2000, including by authorizing the Bureau of Reclamation to implement restoration activities in the Klamath Basin watershed in Oregon and California.Specifically, Reclamation may plan, construct, operate, and maintain projects in the basin watershed, including<ul><li>facilities to reduce fish entrainment (i.e., the transport of fish along the flow of water, out of their normal habitat and into unnatural or harmful environments);</li><li>projects that reduce or avoid impacts on aquatic resources caused by diversion of water for irrigation; and</li><li>projects that restore basin watershed habitats, such as tribal fishery resources held in trust.</li></ul>Reclamation may also&nbsp;<ul><li>undertake studies and improvements to implement restoration activities in the basin watershed;</li><li>enter into contracts and agreements with state and local governments, tribes, and private parties to implement restoration activities; and</li><li>accept and expend nonfederal funds in order to facilitate the activities.</li></ul>In addition, the act authorizes Reclamation to reimburse Tulelake Irrigation District for up to 69% of the costs for the operation and maintenance of the irrigation Pumping Plant D in Tulelake, California.&nbsp;Further, the act provides statutory authorization for Reclamation to implement the 2016 Klamath Power and Facilities Agreement that directs Reclamation to take ownership and operation of the Keno Dam and operation of the Link River Dam.