Gov. Kulongoski has signed a bill financing the removal of four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River. Although initially approved by the Senate in February,the bill was passed by Kulongoski today. This bill will lead to the largest river and salmon habitat restoration effort in U.S. history.
“Signing this bill into law is a critical step in ensuring that all of the Klamath’s diverse rural communities have an economically viable future,”
said Governor Kulongoski. PacifiCorp and Oregon Public Utility plan to hold customers’ funds cover the cost of the dam removals, about $1.50 a month per customer. The law requests a $180 million budget alone, which when added to the utilities’ fund will aim to safely demolish the four dams in 10 years, beginning in 2010.