Government-Induced Drought and Water Issues In Oregon

As most Oregonians know, Klamath County (indeed, most of the 2nd District) is in a season of severe drought. Add to this politically motivated backroom deals, and a radical environmentalist agenda with lots of out-of-state clout and capital, and this is a scary situation for rural Oregon.

The problem is simple – we have limited fresh water. Animals and people alike need fresh water for survival, and droughts are part of Earth’s natural cycle. Therefore, we should prepare for such eventualities with dams, reservoirs and other water storage facilities, and we should share the water between all interested parties, not use the strong arm of government to pick politically-correct winners and losers.

Last year, before I was in this Congressional race, I gave a presentation on this topic to the Jackson County Americans for Prosperity group:

Klamath County Commissioner Dennis Linthicum on Natural Resource stewardship for a more prosperous economy from US~Observer on Vimeo.

And, just last month, Congressman Tom McClintock gave similar thoughts to California Americans For Prosperity:

I hope for the chance to be colleagues in the House with Rep. McClintock and other common-sense conservatives like him. We have to stick up for our food producers, outdoorsmen and others who share and make a living from natural resources. What’s happening in Klamath County and Central California should serve as a warning – we must change our representation and alter our course before it’s too late.

For more information on the specific issues in Klamath County, please read Erika Bentsen’s excellent piece in Western Ag magazine here.