CHILOQUIN, OR–By mail-in referendum vote, members of the Klamath Tribes approved the Upper Klamath Basin Comprehensive Agreement (UKBCA). In accordance with the Tribes’ established referendum procedures, the ballots were counted in an open forum at the Chiloquin Community Center, and results of the referendum were certified by the Klamath Tribes Election Board around noon Wednesday, April 9. 564 Tribal members voted yes, in favor of the Agreement, and 419 voted no.

“The positive vote of our Tribal Members affirming the Upper Klamath Basin Comprehensive Agreement is a monumental step in achieving the long established goals of our people to restore and protect our Tribal fisheries and other Treaty resources,” stated Don Gentry, Chairman of the Klamath Tribes. “With approval of the Agreement, Senator Wyden will now move forward to introduce a legislative package to enact the UKBCA. The bill will also include legislation of the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement (KBRA) and the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement (KHSA), which our members voted overwhelmingly to support.”

Klamath Tribes’ Vice Chair Vivian Kimbol added, “The Council and KTNT knew this was going to be an extremely important decision for our Tribal members. However, we are now looking forward to the legislative process that will uphold and support salmon and steelhead reintroduction, prevent the extinction of our c’waam, restore our ecosystem, secure a healthy tribal economy and honor the Treaty resources that our Tribe has fought to protect.”

For more information contact:
Klamath Tribal Chairman, Don Gentry: 541-892-1433
Klamath Tribal Vice-Chair, Vivian Kimbol: 541-880-8794