We thought we were playing the game, negotiating in good faith to make sure there was enough water for everyone. Henzel, like the other farmers, also pointed out that the lack of irrigation water was destroying not only the farmers, but also the area's entire economy, which depends on the agriculture industry. Businesses are closing. The area's Hispanic farm workers, who have settled in the basin and have become productive members of the community, are being forced to move elsewhere to find work. Schools are closing or consolidating for lack of students.
Small towns are in danger of being wiped off the map.
And while the suckers and salmon may be thriving, Henzel said, more than 300 other animal species are now in jeopardy because they depended on the farmers' fields for food and habitat. Your Dirt' Henzel said he hoped things would be different now that President Bush is in charge. High officials from the U.S. Departments of Interior and Agriculture have recently visited the area on a fact-finding mission. But the farmers and other area residents aren't sitting still waiting for action. Campaign being waged by the Klamath Basin Crisis Team.