Oregon Public Broadcasting

The landmark deal to tear down four dams on the Klamath River has hit a small snag.

Ethan Lindsey reports the regional agreement to share water and resources has been delayed.

Governor Ted Kulongoski’s office and others confirmed that the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement won’t be officially signed by the June 30th deadline.

A Pacificorp spokesman told the Klamath Falls Herald-News that the agreement negotiations are still progressing – just not as fast as originally planned.

Troy Fletcher works with the Yurok tribes, who are part of the settlement deal.

Troy Fletcher: “I don’t see this as a big deal or a compromise in any way. Everybody has invested a lot of time and a lot of resources, and we’re going to get to a final agreement.”

The deal, if finalized, would mean the removal of four hydroelectric dams – possibly the largest dam destruction project ever.

Tribes and environmentalists want the dams out to restore salmon runs. Under the plan, Pacificorp could charge customers for the cost of dam removal.