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Chiloquin, Oregon - The Klamath Tribes today praised a decision by President Bush to name a Cabinet-level panel to work for resolution of water conflicts in the Klamath Basin.

Klamath Tribes Chairman Allen Foreman said, "The Klamath Tribes deeply appreciate this action by President Bush. By directing Cabinet-level review of water conflicts in the Klamath Basin, the president gives everyone in the basin hope for solutions to problems caused by almost a century of abuse and over-withdrawal of waters. We believe that managing agricultural water deliveries to restore abundant fisheries in a healthy ecosystem will assure a sustainable economy for the Klamath Tribes and for all communities in the Klamath Basin."

President Bush designated Interior Secretary Norton to chair the Klamath Basin panel, which was established by an Executive Order signed by the president on Feb. 28.

Chairman Foreman noted the significance to the panel's work of a U.S. District Court ruling issued March 1. "In that ruling, the federal courts again reaffirmed that the Klamath Tribes have the first right to waters needed to support the Tribes' fishing, hunting, and gathering," he said. "That means the lakes, rivers, marshes and forests of Klamath country must retain their natural water supplies to restore our fisheries and wildlife to abundance. We pledge our full cooperation to Interior Secretary Gale Norton, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, and all the federal officials whom President Bush has asked to find solutions in the Klamath Basin."