Klamath Dam protesters rally in Portland

9/18/2008, 4:02 p.m. PT The Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — More than 100 people urged Portland-based PacifiCorp Thursday to remove four dams on the Klamath River.

The protest included a march and a rally outside the utility's headquarters. It was organized by tribes native to the Klamath Basin, commercial fishermen and conservationists. Organizers said it was the fourth such rally.

The dams block salmon from reaching their spawning grounds. Tribal members say they are fighting to remove the dams for the survival of their culture and the salmon. The river rises in Oregon and flows to the ocean through Northern California.

PacifiCorp says it is negotiating with state and federal officials on a resolution that could transfer ownership of the dams and lead to the removal of the dams.