A recent AP story reports that the U.S. government and PacifiCorp are involved in talks that may eventually lead to a plan for dam removal on the Klamath River:

PacifiCorp, the federal government and the states of Oregon and California are in talks over how to resolve a proposal to remove four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River to help struggling salmon runs.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokeswoman Alex Pitts confirmed Tuesday that federal agencies and the utility are in continuing “conversations” about a hydropower agreement, but would not characterize that agreement as a way to remove the dams.

PacifiCorp spokesman Art Sasse would say only that the utility company is in talks with “key stakeholders” surrounding its application to relicense the dams.

This process is separate from the hydropower agreement, which the 26 stakeholders involved in the settlement talks had included in their restoration agreement, unveiled to the public this past January after two years of closed-door negotiations.

Reached by phone today, Craig Tucker, Klamath campaign director for the Karuk Tribe, said, “It is encouraging that the feds are stepping up.” He added that any final deal would have to be agreed upon by the tribes and other stakeholders.