Farmers in the Klamath Basin may see a huge increase in federal dollars coming their way, to help them cope with this summer’s drought.
An emergency spending bill before the Senate will add another $10 million in drought aid. That’s on top of the $8.75 million the feds have already spent.
Oregon Senators Wyden and Merkley convinced the Senate to add the extra money during a vote Thursday to amend the spending bill. They got some help from Congressman Greg Walden, who came over from the House side of the Capitol to join Wyden and Merkley as they lobbied for the bill.
The money will be used to pay farmers to idle some of their land. If they’re planting fewer acres it means they’ll need less water. It’s one way to stretch water supplies during a tight year like this one. Klamath farmers have been warned to expect about 40% of their normal water supplies
The Senate still has yet to vote on a final version of the spending bill.
