Skip to content

About PERC

All Areas of Focus

All Research

Donate

Restoring Harmony in the Klamath Basin

  • Lea-Rachel Kosnik,
  • Roger Meiners
  • DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT

    Today, the agricultural region surrounding the Klamath River, which straddles southern Oregon and northern California, is embroiled in conflict. For a century, farmers have used the Klamath’s water for irrigation, but the federal government and Indian tribes have strong claims to the irrigation water as well. In 2001, the federal government cut off water to farmers in order to protect two endangered fish, an act that aroused anger and caused financial distress.

    “Restoring Harmony in the Klamath Basin” explains how this conflict developed and offers a solution—markets in water. Written by Roger Meiners and Lea-Rachel Kosnik, this paper persuasively argues that clarification of property rights to water is fundamental to ending the crisis. If these rights are clarified, voluntary markets in water can set the stage for a more harmonious future in the basin.

    Download the full report, including endnotes and references.

    Written By
    • Roger Meiners
      • Senior Fellow

      Roger Meiners is Goolsby Distinguished Professor of Economics and Law at the University of Texas at Arlington and a senior fellow at PERC.

    Date
    Topics
    Related Content