Tribes to lobby in Omaha 

Group hopes to open eyes of PacifiCorp owner Warren Buffett

By LEE JUILLERAT
H&N Regional Editor

April 24, 2008

    Klamath River tribal members, and representatives of other groups that want three Klamath River dams removed, will travel to Omaha , Neb. , next week to pressure the company that owns PacifiCorp to remove the dams. 

   About 30 people from the Karuk and Yurok tribes, along with commercial fishermen and conservationists, will attend a meeting of Berkshire Hathaway, the company owned by billionaire Warren Buffett that owns Mid American Energy, which owns PacifiCorp. 

   During its time in Omaha, the group plans a progressive film night Wednesday, April 30, a press conference May 2, and picketing and handing out of leaflets at the May 3 Berkshire shareholders meeting. 

   “I hope Buffett considers our message and requests,” said Craig Tucker, Karuk spokesman. “We don’t expect to be welcomed with open arms, but we do expect to make an impact on the meeting and impress upon Buffett and the shareholders just how important this issue is for the tribes and fishermen.” 

   Tucker said the trip follows unprecedented West Coast salmon fishing closures. The groups say the dams block migration of Klamath River salmon and cause blooms of toxic algae. 

   Other groups along the Klamath River , including the Siskiyou County commissioners, oppose dam removal. Klamath County commissioners have indicated they are concerned about dam removal, but have not taken an official stand on the issue. 

   Implementation of a proposed water settlement — the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement — hinges on removal of the PacifiCorp dams.

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