Dam-removal 'deal' has holes 

Chances of final success are slim, but well worth the effort

January 17, 2008

Medford Mail-Tribune Editorial

With much fanfare, an unlikely group of Klamath Basin farmers, Indian tribes, fishermen, government agencies and some environmental groups have announced a deal calling for the removal of four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River , water delivery guarantees to farmers and improved fish runs. But, while it's encouraging, the deal actually settles nothing.

Left out of the two-year, closed-door negotiations that led to the proposal was PacifiCorp, which actually owns the dams, not to mention the Hoopa Tribe of northern California and two Oregon environmental groups who criticized the deal as a giveaway to farmers at the expense of fish. The Hoopas and the two groups, Water Watch and Oregon Wild, either dropped out or were kicked out of the process when it began two years ago, depending on whom you ask.

PacifiCorp is the key to making the deal a reality. The power company applied for a new operating license for the dams in 2004, but has said it would be willing to remove them if its ratepayers didn't have to foot the bill, estimated at $180 million. Relicensing would require the company to spend $300 million on new fish ladders.

PacifiCorp spokesmen said Tuesday they were a bit taken aback by the announcement, noting that it cannot happen without the company's OK.

Also missing from the deal is buy-in from Oregon , California and Congress, each of which would have to help pay for the nearly $1 billion overall cost of the proposal. Gov. Ted Kulongoski is reportedly pleased at the prospect of a long-term settlement of what has been a bitter fight over water allocation in the basin, but no money will be offered until a deal is signed to remove the dams.

The fact that so many participants — 26 in all — with so many different priorities were able to reach an agreement is a very hopeful sign. But no one should be under the misconception that the Klamath Basin water wars are over. Much work remains to be done to secure all the necessary pieces, especially the funding.

And the energy involved is not to be taken lightly. The dams generate enough power for 70,000 homes — hardly a huge amount for a company the size of PacifiCorp, but hydroelectric dams are one of the cleanest sources of power available. Once they are gone, they are gone forever.

Demand for power will only rise along with population growth, and turning off reliable sources is not a step to be taken lightly.

Still, a long-term solution to the Klamath water crisis is worth pursuing, however hazy it may appear at the outset. The fact that the odds are stacked against success is not a reason to give up now.

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