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Water still in limbo
Klamath dam removal issue critical to moving forward
The outcome of a proposed water settlement agreement
will
remain in limbo until a decision is made about removal
of four Klamath River hydroelectric dams.
Talks involving stakeholders, federal officials and Portlandbased PacifiCorp, which owns the dams, are ongoing, and no one has indicated when a resolution will come.
“I think everyone is waiting for the other shoe to drop or not to drop,” said Greg Addington, executive director of Klamath Water Users Association.
Released Jan. 15, the 256-page Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement calls for a variety of projects and actions to allocate water among Klamath River Basin communities. It includes money to help pay for purchase of private land for the Klamath Tribes and the establishment of a stable power rate for irrigators. It also advocates dam removal.
The removal of the dams is a key component of the agreement. Proponents want them removed to restore passage for migratory fish and aid habitat restoration.
PacifiCorp officials have voiced concerns about removal, including liability for any consequences and cost to customers and stockholders. They have not ruled out removal, but also have set no timeline for reaching a decision.
Ongoing talks
“We’re continuing to talk with folks,” said Toby Freeman, regional community manager for PacifiCorp.
PacifiCorp spokesmen have confirmed that company officials are in discussions U.S. Department of the Interior officials. They declined to say whether those discussions involve the dams.
Addington and Klamath County Commissioner John Elliott said they don’t think the agreement has stalled. People are just waiting to see what happens to the dams before moving forward. Elliott said he’d like to see some progress by September.
If the dams are not removed, Elliott said those involved in crafting the agreement would have to return to the negotiation table. But he anticipates some progress will be made.
“I think there’s too much interest in an agreement to be reached for them to just drop it,” he said.
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