Help Secure Emergency Water Deliveries for Wildlife at Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge

The Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge, one of the most important bird refuges in the Western United States, is currently receiving only a fraction of the water deliveries it needs, placing millions of migratory birds in grave danger of disease outbreak, and insufficient food and habitat resources.

As the bulk of the wetlands in Lower Klamath Lake sit virtually bone dry, the refuge continues to lease thousands of acres of refuge land to agribusiness. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has senior water rights to supply Lower Klamath Refuge with enough water to provide substantial relief for migratory birds. Yet, within the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges, water for potatoes and alfalfa are continually prioritized over wildlife.

Urge Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell to ensure that adequate water is delivered for the Klamath National Wildlife Refuges

The Klamath Basin is a critical stopover point for migrating waterfowl, shorebirds, and other bird species. Especially as we approach peak fall migration. More than 80 percent of the Pacific Flyway waterfowl population uses the Klamath Basin during the fall migration.

Write to Secretary of the Interior

Earlier this summer, you helped us generate comments asking the refuge to secure water deliveries for Klamath’s future. Now, we need your help in the short-term as we wait for them to determine new management strategies. Please write to Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today and urge her to provide the refuges with water for fall migration and wintering eagles, and to seek long term solutions that will ensure the Klamath Refuges have adequate water.