Developments in the Klamath

November 14, 2008 | By PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION

Environmental issues and the Klamath have been a familiar couple for some time.  This week, in an interesting development, PacifiCorp, a private utility that owns or operates several hydroelectric facilities in the Klamath Basin, agreed in principle to removing the dams.  Such a step may go a long way toward avoiding clashes in the future between Tribes, Fishermen, Environmentalists, Farmers, and the Feds.  In a related matter, the Secretary of the Interior announced a finalized Agreement in Principle pertaining to the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement that could, again in theory, result in the removal of hydropower facilities on the Klamath.