One hasn't learned to expect the federal government to stick to its guns on environmental issues -- in recent years, anyway. So we were surprised and pleased to see that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service were not only firm on Tuesday, but showed some sharp teeth, too.

In pushing Klamath River hydropower dam owner Pacificorp to install ladders for salmon and other fish if it wants its license renewed, the agencies also ripped the company for its lame proposal to trap fish and truck them around the dams instead.

The federal government's insistence could make it more likely that there may be a settlement with Pacificorp leading to the tearing out one or more of the four Klamath dams in question.

Ladders will cost electric ratepayers more, because the cost of installing them -- up to $300 million -- could be passed along. A better deal the long run, say state and federal agencies, conservation groups and Indian tribes, would be to take down the dams and build modern power plants instead.

That outcome will continue to be on the table in ongoing settlement talks. We hope Pacificorp joins the rest of us on the North Coast in agreeing that it would be the best outcome for everyone -- particularly the fish.