JPR: Klamath Tribes ask Congress to approve water deal

Legislation is required to authorize $495 million in federal spending over 10 years for restoration work and to provide economic assistance for the Klamath Tribes, including money for a new tree farm. It would also authorize the removal of four Klamath River hydroelectric dams owned and operated by PacifiCorp -- Experts say would be the largest dam removal project in history.

A series of water crises prompted action in the Klamath Basin.

Flashpoint moments include a 2001 water shutoff for area farmers, salmon kills in the Klamath River the following year and sporadic bird die-offs in wildlife refuges. The latest flashpoint was last summer’s curtailment of irrigation water for ranchers in the upper Klamath Basin.

Last summer, Sen. Wyden convened stakeholders to address three lingering issues before taking a running start at congressional action: water distribution in the upper basin, access to cheaper federal power and the high costs of the proposed agreements.

With the tribal and ranching communities voting in support of the agreements, that process now moves to Capitol Hill. Wyden said he intends to use his position on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and his chairmanship of the Finance Committee to bring the issue to a Senate vote by year's end.

“This is the top priority. This is the model in my view for water policy in our country," Wyden said.