The Karuk Tribe of California is seeking to intervene in a lawsuit over water diversions in the Klamath Basin.

At issue is whether farmers need to inform the California Department of Fish and Game every time they divert water from the Shasta and Scott rivers. The tribe is worried that the outcome of the case could harm salmon runs.

”These guys think we're still living in the Old West,” Leaf Hillman, the tribe's director of natural resources, said in a press release. “In today's world, we have laws designed to balance the needs of agriculture with the needs of fishing communities. Like it or not, they have to share the water, air and earth with other people.”

The tribe and environmental groups filed their motion to intervene on Thursday. The case is in state court.

Get the Story:
Tribe, fishermen, conservationists join Siskiyou water lawsuit; say suit could endanger salmon (The Eureka Times-Standard 6/24)
Groups side with DFG in water lawsuit (The Capitol Press 6/23)