Facebook Twitter Email
THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 2001

Angry white farmers in Oregon stormed the headgates of a federal irrigation project on Wednesday night, setting up tables and a barbecue to protest being denied water.

According to The Associates Press, one group was serving hot dogs and melons. They were urged on by a local law enforcement officer, said the AP.

The protesters claim the federal government doesn't own the land on which the Klmath River headgates are located. The basin straddles the Oregon-California border.

The Bureau of Reclamation, part of the Department of Interior, is denying the farmers water to protect dwindling runs of fish and to uphold trust responsibilities to area tribes.

Get the Story:
Protesters climb security fence, claim Klamath headgates don't belong to government (AP 8/29)

Related Stories:
Calm as water shut off in Oregon (8/24)
Klamath farmers prepare for water shut-off (8/23)
Protest held over Klamath water (8/22)
Klamath water war continues (8/14)
Norton asks for review of Klamath decision (8/2)
Violence feared among Klamath farmers (7/27)
Norton releases water for angry farmers (7/25)
Ore. farmers seek water diversion (7/20)
Norton won't convene 'God squad' (7/16)
Ore. town helps feisty farmers (7/12)
Authorities let farmers break law (7/9)
Farmers break into Ore. canal (7/6)
Farmers protest water for tribes, fish (5/8)
Water use upheld for tribes, salmon (5/1)
Tribes, groups discuss water project (4/24)
Klamath steelhead proposed as threatened (2/21)