Reduction in Farming at Klamath Refuges Sought

A coalition of environmental groups sued the Bush administration here Tuesday to shut down nearly all commercial farming at a pair of wildlife refuges in the Klamath Basin.

The 10 conservation groups say federal officials have favored agriculture over the needs of migratory birds that make the two refuges on the Oregon-California border an important stop along the Pacific Flyway. About 20,000 acres of crops -- potatoes, onions and grains -- are grown on land that farmers lease on the refuges.

Federal officials declined to comment until they review the litigation. Dan Keppen of the Klamath Water Users Assn. said this is just the latest in a series of attempts to kill off Klamath Basin agriculture so more water can go to wildlife and endangered fish in the Klamath River.