Ducks Unlimited, Klamath Tribes spur major investment from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Klamath Basin

In an important step for restoration efforts in the Klamath Basin, the Department of Interior and U.S. Fish and Wildlife announced $46 million in funding, a significant portion of which will be used to finish essential projects supported by Ducks Unlimited (DU) and the Klamath Tribes. 

As a part of the investments, $13 million will be used to complete the construction of Agency Barnes at Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge. DU and the Klamath Tribes have partnered with the USFWS to undertake the largest freshwater wetland restoration project in the western U.S, which will reconnect over 14,000 acres of historic wetlands with the northern arm of Upper Klamath Lake.  

The project is an important stopover for thousands of migrating waterfowl in the Pacific Flyway. It will also restore habitat to the endangered C’waam and Koptu mullet fisheries, which have been and are essential to the ancient Klamath Tribes’ Culture and way of life. This project will provide long-term, multi-beneficial solutions for the health of the Basin.   

Klamath Tribes Tribal Council Chairman William Ray Jr. and DU extended their appreciation to the Oregon Congressional Delegation, Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, and Congressman Cliff Bentz for the federal support and investments of $162 million in funding to the Klamath River Watershed and Headwaters Restoration.  

“These investments represent another critical step to improving overall water quality, wetlands, watershed, and headwaters functions and health,” Chairman Ray Jr. said. “The funding will support critical restoration projects, which the Tribes are praying will rapidly improve water quality to prevent the C’waam and Koptu mullet species from going extinct and to ensure the cultural reconnections of the c’yaal’s (salmon) and the aquatic species and first foods plants. We look forward to working with all stakeholders and partners in wetland, watershed and headwaters restoration improvement projects.” 

DU and the Klamath Tribes are hopeful this essential funding for critical restoration projects, like Agency-Barnes, Upper Klamath Marsh, Upper Williamson River, Lake Ewauna, Climate Change Resiliency Stream Restoration, SONAR and Radio Telemetry and Spawning Surveys for Salmon and Efficiencies in Water Infrastructure will improve water quality, wetland function, and overall watershed health.  

“DU is committed to restoring the Klamath Basin for fish, farms, fowl and people,” said Jeff McCreary, DU’s director of operations for the western region. “The Klamath Tribes’ leadership and cultural monitoring in this work is vitally important, and DU is honored to collaborate together. The project at Agency Barnes is a big step in ensuring these fish species have what they need to thrive once again, and we thank the Oregon delegation for their support.”   

In October, DU led a tour of the Agency Barnes construction site, bringing USFWS, Klamath Tribal leadership, farmers, and irrigators together.  

“I saw hope, and I saw optimism to save our C’waam and Koptu mullet fish,” said Chairman Ray Jr. “I see that the project at Agency Barnes will help our water quality, and that gives us a lot of hope for our cultural renewal and continued success.”   

This group toured nearly four miles of earthworks that have been built since April. The project contractor, BCI Contracting, Inc., showed specialized equipment, such as a fuel-efficient amphibious excavator, specifically designed for the restoration work at the Agency Barnes site. Phase 1 completion is anticipated this winter.  

This funding will complete the implementation of Phases 2 and 3. 

In addition to the funding for Agency Barnes, Klamath Basin restoration efforts will receive $5.5 million for the Upper Williamson River Restoration project. DU anticipates working with the Klamath Tribes to implement this project. Funding will be used to restore the historical hydrology within the Klamath Marsh by removing three bridges. It will also be used to provide fish passage to over 26 miles of the upper Williamson River and reconnect several thousand acres of adjacent wetlands and riparian habitats within the Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge project area.  

DU has also received $2.7 million for irrigation pump projects at Lower Klamath and Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuges. Funding for this project will be used for the construction of four pumping stations, two each in both Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge and Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Together, these pumping stations will improve water supply reliability and functionality on over 20,000 acres of wetland habitat on both NWRs.  

DU is working toward a comprehensive, multi-beneficial watershed solution for the Klamath Basin that integrates wetlands back into the Basin’s hydrology and ecology. DU believes that a collaborative effort toward a more cohesive ecosystem—one that takes a common-sense approach to wetland management—will benefit the people and wildlife that call it home. 

Media Contacts:  

Molly Jarone 
Ducks Unlimited 
(916) 903-9199  
mjarone@ducks.org  

Kenneth Smith 
Klamath Tribes 
(541) 783-2219 
kenneth.smith@klamathtribes.com