Alexandra Feller Herald and News/Snowden Intern. (2021, August 3). ODOT to restore wetland with Klamath Tribes. Herald and News. https://www.heraldandnews.com/news/odot-to-restore-wetland-with-klamath-tribes/article_544a723c-df6c-5fc6-ac3b-3a778db68731.html.
The Klamath Tribe’s wetlands have suffered and are completely dry. However, the Oregon Department of Transportation, or ODOT, has agreed to restore the former wetlands. This restoration project will not only give the tribe the water body that they once had, it will also help a couple of endangered fish species that have suffered as of late. Once the wetlands has reached equilibrium, endangered fish will be released into the wetlands, hopefully allowing the endangered species to flourish.
The article described a project that had been undertaken by the Oregon Department of Transportation. It described an issue that was affecting the Klamath Tribe and endangered species of fish and it explained what the ODOT was doing to help them. The project centered around the restoration of the now dried up wetlands that were a part of the Klamath Tribe’s land. My reaction to the article was gratitude for the organization that was helping the Tribe and a more positive outlook on the ways that people are affecting the environment. I was happy for the Tribe, because the wetlands have such a large impact on their lives.
I think that the wetlands being restored and ultimately helping the suffering fish is very beneficial not only for the fish themselves, but also for the entire ecosystems and surrounding organisms. How does this process actually take place? Do they have a plan for when the fish will reach equilibrium once the restoration process has begun?
This article is very hopeful compared to most of the others. It is very nice to read about good things being done by people for the environment. You end your article well by talking about how you appreciate this project. One question I have is how would you know when equilibrium takes place?
Brady- I don’t know if you noticed the battle on OR-CA coast over the Klamath this summer… very little water. Great to read about the wetlands restoration, but of course something needs to make them “wet”. Did they mention anything about guaranteeing water flow for the wetlands their making. I know farmers are demanding that water too and it’s been quite a conflict.
I agree with you this is an amazing thing that they are doing. Do you believe that this is a permanent solution or does it seem like the wetlands will go dry shortly after this?