BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY IN THE KLAMATH BASIN, OREGON

The City of Klamath Falls (City) has been actively pursuing partnerships with industry, stakeholders, and regulatory agencies in pursuit of a healthier Klamath River and healthier local economy. As part of a recent Integrated Water Quality Management Strategy, the City led a Regulatory Futures Workshop that was attended by multiple stakeholders, other local jurisdictions, and several regulatory organizations. This meeting facilitated communication among the various group and assisted the City in developing a regulatory strategy. The City has also been actively involved in regulatory development by commenting on the Upper Klamath Lake Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and sampling water quality constituents on the Klamath River in preparation for the Klamath River TMDL. Despite the bitter water quantity wars that shook the region in 2001, and that have been causing aftershocks ever since, the City continues to make progress on building relationships to improve water quality.