Recreation generates more money than farming -- USGS report
It would be more economical to keep water in the Klamath River for fish rather than divert it to farms, concludes a U.S. Geological Survey report awaiting release.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the USGS report estimates it would cost $5 billion to remove the farms from the water pipeline and engage in restoration efforts, as opposed to the $36 billion the region would see in economic benefits if visitors continue to use the river system for fishing, boating and recreational activities. The report attributes the price difference to the differing values of revenue the farms and recreational activities generate. Farming brings in about $100 million in revenue annually, while recreational activities attract $800 million a year, the report says.
USGS officials in Denver said although the report is complete, the office refrained from releasing it in light of the fish kill in September when 30,000 salmon and steelhead died in the river (Greenwire, Sept. 25). Larry Ludke, regional biologist in USGS's Denver office, wrote in an e-mail: "He wants to slow it down because of high sensitivity in the Dept. right now resulting from the recent fish kill in the Klamath. ... Suffice it to say that this is not a good time to be handing out this document and it will likely be a little while before we get clearance from HQ." He attributes the delay to USGS regional director Tom Casadevall.
A spokeswoman at USGS headquarters said the report is not scheduled for release until after Nov. 12, when an official returns from an overseas trip and is able to review it for policy implications. "It is not being held up for any reason other than to complete the review process," said spokeswoman Carolyn Bell (Jim Carlton, [subscription required] Nov. 1).
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The fishing was GREAT! The catching could have used some improvement however........
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