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OTHER VIEWS Other Views: Klamath water deal is best available Comment By The Klamath Falls Herald and News MailTribune.com By The Klamath Falls Herald and News Posted Jan. 17, 2015 at 12:01 AM By The Klamath Falls Herald and News Posted Jan. 17, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News A proposed process for settling water issues in the Klamath Basin has again been put forward in Congress and when we say "settling" we don't mean that everyone would come away satisfied. It is, however, the best option that looks possible. The Basin's economic future needs settlement to establish more stability in Basin agriculture, especially in low-water years. The clock started ticking Jan. 1 on termination of a vital part of the package — the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement. The official expiration process can be started in the first 60 days of 2015 by any party to the agreement, but if nobody does so or if congressional approval isn't received for the agreement, the KBRA will automatically expire at the end of 2015. The other parts of the package are the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement and the Upper Klamath Basin Comprehensive Agreement. The agreements are based on meeting treaty obligations to tribes, water rights affirmed by adjudication and other legal responsibilities established by federal law, such as the Endangered Species Act. They are in a package of interlocking agreements that was submitted to the last Congress as Senate Bill 2379, but died, and now has been resubmitted to the new Congress as Senate Bill 133. Both Houses of Congress are now controlled by Republicans who, in general, have resisted settlement proposals more than Democrats. Klamath Basin water problems are monstrously complicated. They arise from the federal government's failure to deal adequately with treaty obligations in the past and promises made to water users that can't be fulfilled. Opponents to the package often say parts of it are acceptable. Undoubtedly, that's true. But every significant piece of the package is linked to something else that gives each side something in exchange for giving something up. Once that relationship breaks down, the whole process falls apart and reverts to simply meeting legal requirements. In a low-water year, that means water is allocated strictly on the basis of senior water rights. Adjudication confirmed the senior water rights of the Klamath Tribes, who made an agreement with irrigators on the Klamath Reclamation Project not to fully enforce them. How long that lasts is up to the Tribes. As for the four Klamath River dams: Pacific Power wants to take them out, but continued failure of the settlement package to move forward and provide the federal and state financial help in doing so removes one of the basic building blocks for settlement. If the dams aren't removed, Pacific Power will spend an estimated $400 million to upgrade and relicense the dams, which also means a reduction in the power output. Under terms of the agreement package in Congress, the ratepayer contribution to dam removal (or relicensing) is capped at $200 million, almost half of which has already been collected. Another option for the $200 million would be to return it to ratepayers, if dam removal doesn't move ahead. We called the situation "monstrously complicated," and it is. It's also something that demands solutions on a Basin-wide basis that deals with many different issues connected to each other. A piecemeal approach won't work. By The Klamath Falls Herald and News MailTribune.com By The Klamath Falls Herald and News Posted Jan. 17, 2015 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... 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