Feds, California, Oregon and PacifiCorp to Announce Klamath River Agreement Today

by Dan Bacher

November 13, 2008

Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne, along with representatives from the State of California, the State of Oregon and PacifiCorp, will make a major announcement today about a non-binding agreement that provides a plan for the removal of four dams on the Klamath River.

Federal officials yesterday in Sacramento briefed Klamath Basin Indian Tribes, recreational anglers, commercial fishermen, farmers and state officials on an agreement in principle for PacifiCorp, a subsidiary of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Corporation, to turn over control of the dams so they can be removed to restore declining runs of salmon and steelhead.

"This announcement is the first critical step down a presumptive path toward a historic resolution of Klamath River resource issues and the Klamath River dams," according a release from the Department of Interior.

"It's an agreement in principle with strong language supporting dam removal," said Craig Tucker, spokesman for the Karuk Indian Tribe. "We still have a long way to go until dam removal takes place, including the passing of legislation."

However, repeating the campaign phrase of the incoming administration, Tucker said, "Yes we can!" in reference to dam removal. "We have a new relationship with PacifiCorp," added Tucker.

Tucker said the deadline for the final agreement will be in June 2009. The target for the beginning of dam removal is 2020.

The Department of Interior and a coalition of Klamath Basin Indian Tribes, environmental groups, sportfishing organizations and commercial fishing groups will be issuing press releases about the non-binding agreement today.

Not all environmental groups are supporting the agreement. Oregon Wild is opposing the deal because they believes it shifts away the responsibility from PacifiCorp and provides no guarantees for dam removal.

"Everyone wants dam removal, but why are we letting the Bush administration dictate Klamath Basin policy?" said Sean Stevens, spokesman for Oregon Wild, a group that was kicked out of settlement negotiations. "This is the same administration that caused the worst fish kill in U.S. history. Now the administration is setting up a deal with all sorts of 'off ramps' and lets PacifiCorp off the hook. We already have processes like the 401 Clean Water Permit process and the FERC licensing that have found that removing the dams would be less expensive than installing fish ladders."

During October, hundreds of members of Klamath River Indian Tribes, commercial fishing organizations, recreational fishing groups and conservation organizations testified in favor of dam removal at a series of meetings held by the State Water Resources Control Board in Klamath, Orleans, Eureka, Yreka and Sacramento. They spoke in favor of denying PacifiCorp a 401 clean water permit because of toxic algae blooms fostered by Iron Gate and Copco dams on the Klamath River.

The announcement will be made via a moderated teleconference at 11:45 a.m. Pacific Standard Time/ 2:45 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Credentialed media wishing to participate should call 1-866-256-9295 and enter the pass code 1306434.