California, Oregon Team Up to Remove Klamath Dams, Save Salmon

The states of California and Oregon agreed Tuesday to become licensees for four Klamath River dams, removing a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary from the license, a move intended to hasten plans to demolish the dams and recover endangered salmon.

Progress toward demolishing the dams, whose presence is considered a major factor in the decline of the river’s salmon species, was put in jeopardy in July when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) gave approval for demolition but required PacifiCorp, the Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary, to retain an ownership stake until the dams were removed. The company balked at the terms fearing unanticipated ...