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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Colorado lawmakers reject right-to-die bill ... Runners give to Ragsdale's loved ones ... Medford's Castille Armory is on the cutting edge for sword lovers ... Colorado lawmakers reject right-to-die bill ... Runners give to Ragsdale's loved ones ... Medford's Castille Armory is on the cutting edge for sword lovers ... OUR VIEW Our View: Dam removal pact offers hope for Klamath Basin Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Feb. 4, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Feb. 4, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News A new push to remove four dams on the Klamath River could salvage a water-sharing agreement between Indian tribes and irrigators that expired when Congress failed to act by the end of 2015. The effort by Oregon, California and federal energy regulators could result in removing the dams, but reviving the irrigation portion of the deal would still require congressional action. The Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement was the result of years of negotiations and compromise between Klamath Basin farmers and ranchers and Indian tribes who held rights to water needed to sustain fish runs. The irrigators agreed to reduce acreage in return for guaranteed water deliveries in non-drought years, and the tribes agreed to supply that water even though it meant less for fish. The four Klamath River dams, one in Oregon and three in California, are operated by Pacific Power, which agreed to remove them rather than go to the expense of relicensing them, as long as ratepayers and the state of California covered the cost of removal. California voters passed a bond measure in 2014, and Gov. Jerry Brown included $250 million in his proposed budget to meet the state's obligation under the Klamath agreements. The dams generate some power but not a tremendous amount, and they are not used for irrigation. They do, however, impede fish passage and raise river temperatures, which harms fish. Dam removal for any purpose is unpopular in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, and that portion of the Klamath Basin agreements meant no approval for the water-sharing portion. Dam removal can be — and usually is — accomplished through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission without the involvement of Congress. The parties involved in the new arrangement plan to sign an amended agreement this month. That will take care of the dam issue, but it won't resurrect the water-sharing agreement that expired Jan. 1. That will require new action in Congress. U.S. Rep. Greg Walden said in a statement that he will work with Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, Gov. Kate Brown and the various interests in the Klamath Basin to craft a new settlement. With this winter's abundant snowpack and the prospect of plentiful water next summer, all affected parties should act now to get the Klamath Basin agreement back on track. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Feb. 4, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501