Klamath River Basin Pact Ends Decades of Water Wars

From the Environment News Service: The historic agreement is signed by key players in the region, but a sizable hurdle remains -  it doesn't become permanent until it is fully funded, and that will require federal money. That's not so easy these days, especially for as controversial a project as this.

Tentative agreement signed in Klamath water wars

From AP: Another strong step in settling the Klamath water wars:

"Gov. John Kitzhaber and representatives of the Obama administration have signed a breakthrough agreement for sharing scarce water in the Upper Klamath Basin, where irrigation was shut off to ranchers last summer after the Klamath Tribes exercised newly awarded water rights to protect fish."

Feds to supplement Klamath River with Trinity Water

The BOR is releasing water from the Trinity River into the Klamath to try and prevent a disaster like the 2002 fish kill or a disease outbreak. The cooler water will be released as salmon start to move up the Klamath and will continue through September.

Article here.

Here We Go Again...

Biological Opinion on Klamath Project Operations Delivered

A Biological Opinion was at the heart of the last water war in the Klamath watershed and was a focus of the documentary Battle for the Klamath. 

After 38 Years, Oregon Backs Tribes’ Water Right in the Klamath Basin

This decision could have far-ranging consequences for future water distribution in the region:

"After 38 years of examining claims, Oregon has issued an order stating that the Klamath tribes hold an enforceable senior right to the water in Klamath Lake and several of its tributaries."

Read the whole story here

Report says dam removal good for Klamath salmon .

From the AP: " A federal report says removing four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River in Oregon and California and restoring ecosystems will produce a big increase in salmon harvests and boost farm revenues. "

The 400-page report attempts to monetize the costs and benefits of taking down the dams for the major constituents in the Klamath region, including fish, farmers, tribes and recreational users. 

Full Klamath Dam Removal report:   http://1.usa.gov/VN0uqR

Tea Party Blocks Pact to Restore the Klamath

The New York Times checks in on the progress of the Klamath Dams deal and finds it stymied by local Tea Party activists.

As predicted, it's much more difficult to actually breach those dams than come to an agreement about what should be done, no matter how revolutionary the coalition was that came together two years ago. Stay tuned...

Study: Klamath Dam Removal Less Costly Than Expected

A new Interior Department study projects the cost of removing the four main dams on the Klamath River to be much less than anticipated and the evironmental impact, particularly for spawning salmon, to be substantial.

There are still many hurdles before the dams actually come down, but this is another important step in the process.

Here's the AP article.

Battle Goes On...

Here's a piece in High Country News about the continued battle in the Klamath River region. As mentioned before, removing those dams and satisfying all the stakeholders from the source of the river in Oregon to the mouth of the river in California is sure to be a long process of legal and regulatory fights. And, as in much of the West, there is just not enough water to satisfy everyone (and everything).  

Lines are drawn over Klamath dam deals

Interesting piece on the split between the Hoopa Valley tribe and other tribes regarding the Klamath dam deal. Same split is going on between some prominent enviro groups.

Deal to raze 4 Klamath dams

Can't wait to film this in 2020. Hope it stands up through the inevitable lawsuits.