KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – May 14th, 2025
The U.S. Department of the Interior released a memorandum providing updated legal guidance regarding the application of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) at the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s (Reclamation) Klamath Project (Project). (See attached) The updated guidance is provided in a May 14, 2025, “Briefing Memorandum for the Secretary,” from Greg Zerzan, Acting Solicitor of the Department of the Interior. Mr. Zerzan is the chief legal officer for the U.S. Department of the Interior and oversees the work of all its attorneys.
The updated guidance is “extremely welcome,” according to Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA) President Scott Seus. “Project irrigators have suffered far too long with the ESA being used as a rationalization for federal agencies simply dividing up water. Each year has been a fight for who-getswhat, but with no consistent guidance or understanding about the rules.”
