Jason Atkinson: Why the Klamath Matters

Today we go public: Why the Klamath Matters

I want to share the story of an historic water-sharing agreement which will restore salmon, clean water and – most importantly – peace and prosperity, to one of the most beautiful regions in America.

The Klamath River has been a passion of mine, for my entire life.

Here in western America, where farmers are pitted against fish, states’ rights are bogged in years of lawsuits, native tribes struggle for existence and fish issues are considered partisan, the Klamath River story is unique…because for the first time a win/win, human and ecosystem solution, in the form of a historic water-sharing agreement is what’s at stake.

Recently a remarkable pact has been signed, calling for the largest dam removal project in the world, a path forward to end one of the most bitter resource struggles in our history. Years of negotiations between federal officials, tribes, irrigators, power corporations and conservation groups will lead to restoration that supports and enhances fishing, farming, and ranching…the backbone of Klamath’s economy and the heart of the Klamath Basin.

As a 4th generation steelheader raised on the middle river in California, the waters of the once-wild Klamath feed my dreams and sustain my soul. My grandparents – Grandma, a Reagan hating liberal, and Big Tom, an Eisenhower Republican – gave me the mantel to restore this river.

Now I’m turning to you to help make restoration of the Klamath a reality. Together, we will bring the story to the big screen, inspiring others to follow our path forward towards a world in balance.

Here’s an introductory video:

Our plan is simple: raise 10% of our budget from our friends grassroots style, start shooting this fall, show our grassroots support to our first funder (yet to be landed, a lot of interested groups) to get thefirst $150k in, then our second funder (already ready for $80-100K) and then our finish funder (real solid interest from friends in philanthropy), then distribute nationally, (Nat Geo, PBS, History- lots of interest here) then change the world of conservation. Today we launch, and you can help in three ways:

1. Go to our site, and make a contribution of any size.

2. Send the link to anyone you know and help generate buzz.

3. If you can it would greatly help if: you have suggestions, can make introductions, or other thoughts regarding the above plan.

Feel free to email Jeff [mailto:jmar100@mac.com] and me  [mailto:jallmand@mac.com].

Why the Klamath Matters

You know, easy stuff. Make Ken Burns quality cinematic documentary, interview my friends on both sides of the issues, in both states, explain the history and why extremes will not work, bring people together, allow the viewer to make their own conclusion, catch a few fish, leave it better than I found it, catch a few more fish, make Big Tom and Grandma Anita proud, then pass this burden on to my son Pomp. As many of you know, I’m raising the fifth generation fly fisherman on the Klamath River. The restoration of our river has been a passion of mine, passed down from my grandparents and parents, and been something I’ve worked on both in my public and private lives.

Lying in a hospital bed a few years ago, I came up with a concept: if America could see the restoration of this river as a reflection of who we are as Americans, we can change conservation forever. No longer partisan, no longer focused on species vs. citizens, no more winner takes all, but a richly human solution balancing the needs of a river stretching the boundaries of two states, irrigators, tribes, states and federal agencies, and long-time families like mine. That’s why the Klamath Matters.

Wanna see our book explaining the project? Click here.

*High res digital copy coming! We’ll change history with this film, share adventure, have our guts torn out by the past and my friends fear of change, be renewed by hope in the future, catch a few steelhead, work really hard, and tell some great stories.