Brown – “I have issued a drought declaration for Klamath County, the first this year and nearly a month earlier than last year. It is already clear from snowpack and streamflow numbers: this will be another difficult year. I am committed to dedicating state resources to help.”
At the request of Klamath County by Resolution No. 2022-016 dated February 22. 2022, and based on the recommendations of the Drought Readiness Council and the Water Supply Availability Committee, and pursuant to ORS 536.740,1find the low snowpack, low reservoir levels, and low streamflow have caused or will cause natural and economic disaster conditions Klamath County.
Forecasted water supply conditions and precipitation levels are not expected to improve. Drought is likely to have a significant economic impact on the farm, ranch, and natural resources sectors, as well as an impact on drinking water, fish and wildlife, important minimum flows for public in-stream uses and other natural resources dependent on adequate precipitation, stored water, and streamflow in these areas. Extreme conditions are expected to affect local growers, increase the potential for fire, shorten the growing season, and decrease water supplies.
Conditions continue to be monitored by the State’s natural resource and public safety agencies, including the Oregon water Resources Department, the Oregon office of Emergency Management, the Oregon office of the State Fire Marshal, and the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Fire Protection Division.
Preparation and resiliency to drought are vital to the health and safety of persons, property, and the economic security of the citizens and businesses of these counties. I, therefore, declare that a severe, continuing drought emergency exists and is likely to continue to exist in Klamath County.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY DIRECTED AND ORDERED:
- The Oregon Department of Agriculture is directed to coordinate and provide assistance in seeking federal resources to mitigate drought conditions and assist in agricultural recovery in Klamath County.
- The Oregon Water Resources Department and the Water Resources Commission are directed to coordinate and provide assistance to water users in Klamath County as the Department and Commission determine necessary and appropriate in accordance with ORS 536.700 to 536.780.
- The Oregon Water Resources Department is directed to seek information from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to help understand the impacts of water availability on Oregon’s fish and wildlife, as necessary and appropriate in accordance with ORS 536.700 to 536.780.
- The Office of Emergency Management is directed to coordinate and assist as needed with assessment and mitigation activities to address current and projected conditions in Klamath County.
- All other state agencies are directed to coordinate with the above agencies and provide appropriate state resources as needed to assist affected political subdivisions and water users in Klamath County.
- This Executive Order expires on December 3I, 2022.
Read the executive order here