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1 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 Governor Kate Brown reflects on 'unexpected' first year, future agenda ... Chetco ocean 'bubble' fisheries could be halved ... Knife attack at Lithia dealership sends man to prison ... Governor Kate Brown reflects on 'unexpected' first year, future agenda ... Chetco ocean 'bubble' fisheries could be halved ... Knife attack at Lithia dealership sends man to prison ... OUR VIEW Our View: Clock is ticking on Klamath water agreement Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 6, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Apr. 6, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News State and federal officials are moving ahead with a plan to sidestep Congress and remove four dams on the Klamath River that harm salmon runs. That makes it more important than ever to complete a complicated settlement between tribes and farmers in the Klamath Basin over allocations of water. The agreement being announced today by the governors of Oregon and California and Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell will transfer ownership of the dams from PacifiCorp to a nonprofit corporation that will assume liability for the removal process. PacifiCorp faced a deadline to relicense the dams, but it would have cost more to improve fish passage, limiting power generation, than removing the structures and securing power from other sources. The dams provide little irrigation water, and generate less than 2 percent of PacifiCorp's electricity. The deal to remove the dams can be accomplished without Congressional approval as long as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approves. Legislation in Congress that would have ratified a water settlement years in the making was blocked by lawmakers opposed to removing the dams. Now that the dam portion has been separated from the water deal, supporters hope Congress will provide the necessary approval. Under the terms of the water deal, irrigators in the Klamath Basin had agreed to remove some farmland from production in exchange for reliable water supplies in non-drought years. The tribes agreed to share the water in exchange for the retirement of some farm acreage and habitat restoration. Farmers have an incentive to get the water settlement through Congress: One tribe has already gone to court to secure water rights that limit the amount available to farms and ranches, and other tribes may follow suit. The dam removal is projected to take place in 2020. Congress should waste no time in approving the water settlement. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 6, 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