Oregon Public Broadcasting

Six months ago, a diverse group of environmentalists, farmers, and Native Americans agreed to a breakthrough deal over Klamath River water.

The deal hinged on the destruction of four small dams along the river. The only problem is the owner of those dams didn't take part. Central Oregon correspondent Ethan Lindsey reports that may be changing.

Since the breakthough, PacifiCorp has been in talks over the dams - but has said dam destruction is not a first choice.

But last week, PacifiCorp withdrew key documents it had submitted to the California Water Resources Control Board.

PacifiCorp says withdrawal of the documents is “standard operating procedure.”

Not exactly, says California agency spokesman Dave Clegern.

David Clegern: “What was not routine  about it, was they filed no new documents. Usually, when people pull a document, they give you a new one right then.”

Regina Chichizola is the director of Klamath Riverkeeper. She says PacifiCorp may be in talks to transfer ownership of the dams to the federal government, something she'd support.

Regina Chichizola: “The feds actually do want the dams to come down. I would just hope that they showed a plan on how to make it happen.”