A final agreement to remove four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River should be completed by September.

   The U.S. Department of Interior, governments of Oregon and California and Portland-based utility PacifiCorp announced the new deadline Tuesday. The parties originally proposed a June 30 deadline, but that was extended to provide more time to work out details.

   Dam removal is a key aspect of the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement, which seeks to resolve disputes about   water in the Klamath River Basin between farmers, tribal members, fishermen and environmentalists.

   Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said in a press release that a final agreement on water management and dam removal in the Klamath Basin is within reach, adding he   was pleased with efforts to reach common ground in discussions.

   “The Klamath Hydropower Agreement and KBRA will be the pillars of a new, sustainable water future for the Klamath Basin,” he said.

   Government and PacifiCorp officials have pursued a final dam removal   agreement since November 2008.

   As part of the dam removal agreement, Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski promised state legislation that would direct the state’s Public Utility Commission to raise PacifiCorp’s rates to help pay for dam removal.    

   Deadline concerns

   Tom Mallams, an irrigator off the Klamath Reclamation Project and president of Klamath Off-Project Water Users, said he doesn’t anticipate the new deadline to be met and he believes the federal and state governments would be unable to fulfill promises they made to the stakeholders involved in the restoration and dam removal agreements.  

   He also had concerns with Schwarzenegger’s comments, recalling that California is in a severe budget crisis, but its residents would be called on to help pay for dam removal.

   “That’s a hard sell. They’re going to have to get everyone and their dog on board,” he said.

   Proponents of restoration agreement, including the Klamath Water Users Association and the Karuk Tribe, said they were glad a new deadline was set and stakeholders continue to move forward.

   “This agreement has not been arrived at without a tremendous amount of work and collaboration.  

   That legislation passed and is awaiting the governor’s signature.

   The increase would generate $180 million over 10 years. PacifiCorp has said the increase would raise the average Oregon customer’s bill by about $1.50 a month. Agricultural power users would see about a 2 percent increase in their bills.

   Praise for Ken Salazar

   Kulongoski, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and PacifiCorp president Greg Abel said Salazar’s leadership has been crucial, and they were optimistic a final agreement is close.

   “Secretary Salazar understands very well the issues we face — our need for a reliable water supply, productive fisheries and healthy habitats,” Schwarzenegger said in a press release.

   “His leadership will help us reach the goal we all seek, the largest dam removal project ever undertaken and full restoration of the Klamath Basin.”

   Abel said more mileposts remain on the way to a final agreement and asked for people’s patience as discussions continue.

   “We remain committed to achieving the best possible balanced and pragmatic outcome for our customers on all sides of these diverse issues,” he said.    The extension of another two months will allow us the time necessary to ensure our issues are addressed in the manner which we intended,” said Belinda Stewart, outreach and program coordinator for Klamath Water Users Association.

Side Bar

Restoration agreement     

   Stakeholders met regularly for years in closed meetings to develop the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement addressing water issues in the Basin.

   Among its conditions is helping the Klamath Tribes acquire the Mazama Tree Farm and helping irrigators maintain stable water supplies and affordable power rates.

   The agreement also calls for removal of four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River to restore fish passage. Government officials and representatives of PacifiCorp signed a tentative agreement in November to move toward dam removal.