April 4, 2001:
A district court judge rules the Klamath Project is in
violation of the Endangered Species Act and cannot deliver
irrigation water.
April 6, 2001:
The Department of Interior announces that no irrigation
water will be available from Upper Klamath Lake. A
compromise lake elevation is arrived at to protect sucker
habitat and provide sufficient
water for salmon. The Department of Agriculture approves
emergency aid for the Project’s farmers.
July 2001:
A Canal headgates are partially opened in defiance of the
April 6 decision, beginning a summer-long protest.
Aug. 21, 2001:
“Klamath Bucket Brigade” draws more than 15,000 people and
national attention.
October 2003:
National
Academy of Sciences National Research Council Committee on
Endangered and Threatened Fishes in
the Klamath Basin releases a final report saying the
recovery of endangered suckers and threatened coho salmon
cannot be achieved by actions exclusively or primarily
focused on the Project operation; and there is no evidence
of a causal connection between
Upper Klamath Lake water levels and sucker health, or that
higher Klamath River flows help coho.
March 2004:
PacifiCorp files application with the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission for new licenses for hydroelectric
facilities on the Klamath River.
June 2005:
Twenty-six groups, including state and federal agencies,
irrigators, fishermen, Indian tribes and
environmental organizations, begin settlement discussions.
April 2006:
Fifty-year Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license
expires for the Klamath Hydroelectric Project. The project
will operate on annual licenses until relicensing.
August 2006:
U.S. Commerce Secretary declares a commercial fishery
failure for West
Coast salmon fishermen.
Jan. 15, 2008:
After more than two years of closed discussions, the
Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement is released.
Nov. 13, 2008:
Representatives of the federal government, Oregon and
California governments and PacifiCorp sign a nonbinding
agreement calling for removal of four hydroelectric dams
on the Klamath River.
