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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2001

Non-Indian farmers in Oregon have filed a new lawsuit in federal court, charging that water diverted to uphold trust responsibilities of tribes in the Klamath Basin was unconstitutional.

The farmers say being denied violated their Fifth Amendment rights. Therefore, they should be compensated something for the $1 billion loss, the lawsuit claims.

The farmers recently dropped a separate lawsuit against the government. They have also dropped out of talks with the Department of Interior over the issue.

Secretary Gale Norton has been giving the farmers drops of water after they took the matter into their own hands and broke federal water gates.

Tribes in the area depend on fish in the basin for food and cultural purposes.

Get the Story:
Farmers claim shut-off violated their water rights (AP 10/12)

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