Klamath Basin News, Friday, Nov. 15 – Court of Appeals Rules in Klamath Water Project “Takings Case”

The latest Klamath Falls News around the Klamath Basin from Wynne Broadcasting’s KFLS News/Talk 1450AM/102.5FM, BasinLife.com and The Herald & News.

Friday, November 15, 2019

Klamath Basin Weather

Today
Partly sunny, with a high near 57.

Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.

Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.

Today’s Headlines

The Klamath County Public Health Air Advisory is Yellow until noon today.

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has ruled in favor the United States in the long-running lawsuit titled Baley v. United States, commonly known as the Klamath Project water “Takings Case.” 

The plaintiff water users sought just compensation for taking of their water rights in 2001 when the United States re-allocated irrigation water to threatened and endangered species under the Endangered Species Act.  Federal Circuit Judge Alvin A. Schall wrote the opinion which upheld the 2017 ruling of trial court judge Marion Horne of the United States Court of Federal Claims.  The appellate decision issued yesterday afternoon states, “We therefore see no error in the court’s holding that the Bureau of Reclamation’s action in temporarily halting deliveries of Klamath Project water in 2001 did not constitute a taking of appellants property.” 

If the court had ruled in favor of the appellant water users, the government would have been ordered to compensate water users for a “physical takings” of their property. 

When planning your route remember The City of Klamath Falls will several construction projects that could cause some delays.

On the west side of Washburn Way between Orchard Avenue and Pershing Way the project improvements include installing missing sidewalk, and new curbing and travel lane reconfigurations. Rocky Mountain Construction will continue construction until project completion.

The southbound right lane on Washburn Way between Eberlein Avenue and Radcliffe Avenue will remain closed during construction until approximately November 22nd. Traffic is being routed through the center lane and transitioned into the left lane at Eberlein.Also continuing until approximately November 22nd, there will be closures to pedestrian traffic between Shasta Way and Pershing Way, as well as the southbound right lane closure. In addition work continues on the City’s Geothermal Mainline Replacement Project located in the alley between Klamath Avenue and Walnut Avenue as well as on portions of 4th Street and Klamath Avenue.

Monday through Wednesday motorists can expect intermittent road and lane closures of 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th Streets and Klamath Avenue.

United Way Community Campaign officials announced at a volunteer appreciation luncheon that $258,000 or 51% of its $507,000 campaign goal has been raised.

Campaign Chairman Dennis Winn recognized his volunteer campaign leadership team and thanked everyone for working hard to exceed this year’s goal. Contributions can be sent to the United Way of the Klamath Basin at 136 N. Third St., Klamath Falls, OR 97601. For every dollar donated, 99 cents will stay in Klamath County to help fund 17 vital social service agencies.

For more information citizens are asked to call United Way at 541-882-5558, or visit unitedwayoftheklamathbasin.org

Around the region

Tuesday afternoon the Grants Pass Dept. of Public Safety received a report of a possible explosive device located just off of NE 7th street.

Officers arrived in the area and confirmed there was what appeared to be a hand grenade located in the landscaping near the driveway.  The Oregon State Police Explosive Unit responded to assess the device and assist with the call.  After recovering one device, the Tech located three more devices partially buried in the dirt.  These devices were all recovered without incident.  Further inspection was conducted on all four devices yesterday.  After inspection, it was determined three of the four devices were live. 

At the time of the recovery, the immediate area around where the devices had been located was checked and no other items of concern were located.  Currently they are in the process of checking the entire area more thoroughly for any other potential devices.

Authorities say a man and a 2-year-old girl who were reported missing have been confirmed dead after an SUV was found submerged in the Umpqua River northwest of Roseburg.

29 year old Sean Moss and Madison Moss were reported missing on August 12th after they failed to show up at the Douglas County Fair. The pair was last seen August 9th by a co-worker. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office says on Wednesday search crews found debris on a road that runs parallel to the river. A dive team located a Chevy Trailblazer submerged in 12 feet of water in a narrow canal. The search team was unable to extract the vehicle before sunset and resumed efforts yesterday when they discovered both bodies in the vehicle.

The Douglas County Medical Examiner’s Office is investigating.

Klamath Falls News from partnership with the Herald and News, empowering the community.

…For complete details on these and other stories see today’s Herald & News.  Wynne Broadcasting and the Herald and News…stronger together to keep you informed.

Back to our BasinLife.com Homepage

Must Read

Klamath Basin News Update – Woman Accused of Using Stun Gun on Man

Brian Casey

Klamath Basin News, Monday, 7/20 – Spence Mtn Fire Nearly Contained; Oregon Reports 436 New Covid-19 Cases Over the Weekend

Brian Casey

Klamath Basin News, Tuesday, 11/2 – OSHA Fines Wilsonville company After Klamath Falls Worker is Killed; $14,375 In Fines For Violating Job Safety Standards

Brian Casey