After Denial of Pacific Legal Foundation's ``God Squad'' Petition, Interior-Ordered Water Release Appears Largely Symbolic.

News Editors/ Legal & Environmental Writers

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 24, 2001

Attorneys representing victims of the Klamath Basin water crisis responded today to an announcement from Interior Secretary Gale Norton that 75,000 acre-feet of water will be released in the Klamath Basin.

"We welcome Secretary Norton's interest and concern in this disaster but the announcement is largely symbolic. There is no question that water is needed and every bit helps. But, by now, the federal government should be announcing its long-term solution to this crisis, instead of announcing the release of water that should have been delivered many month ago during the prime growing season," said PLF attorney Anne Hayes.

"The reality here is that this release validates our belief that government held back too much water in the first place. All along, there have been serious questions about the validity of the science upon which the federal decision to cease water delivery was based. This action appears to be a stop-gap measure intended to pacify an angry community. There is nothing here that suggests we are moving toward a solution to the problem," said Hayes.

In early July, PLF filed the only official petition to the government requesting a convening of the "God Squad", a seven-member government panel authorized to grant relief from actions taken under the Endangered Species Act. Water was ordered shut off to 1,400 farm families in early April to protect two species of sucker fish.

On July 10, Norton denied the petition citing a legal technicality.