The future of the Klamath River dams was formally decided on Tuesday, when governmental representatives, Indian tribes, advocates for the revival of the decreasing salmon population and farmers managed to reach an agreement, after several years of endless discussions. This could be the first step towards the largest dam-removal project in the United States, which could cost up to $1 billion over a 10 year project.

Unfortunately, the decision is not a final one, as the company that owns the four dams is also expected to give its approval. According to PacifiCorp Power representatives, a positive decision will not be made until the company ensures that their financial interests and those of their customers will not be affected. The company is a subsidiary of Mid-American Energy Holdings Company, owned by Berkshire Hathaway.

There is still a highly disputed issue here: with the end of Bush administration later this year, could this have been more of a political decision than one based on the common interests of locals and environmental agencies? Several groups have been excluded from the negotiations, including the owner of the dams, who highly questions whether the so-called agreement has enough substance to be even worth discussing about.

Should the hydroelectric dams be removed, the Klamath River would become open for fish for the first time in 90 years, which was the environmental agencies and fishermen’s desire for many years now, since the salmon population has drastically decreased due to the pressure the human have exerted on the river in the decades since the dams were built.

Klamath River, which runs for approximately 263 miles in southern Oregon and northern California and is one of the longest rivers in the area, was submitted to a series of modifications as to increase the surface of the agricultural terrains. Parts of Tule Lake, Lower Klamath Lake and below Klamath falls were drained in order to make way for agriculture, and the stored water began to be used for irrigation purposes, as well as hydroelectric use.