Tribes Protest State's Delay on Klamath Dams

Two Northern California Native American tribes are protesting a decision by state officials to postpone the relicensing process for four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River.The Eureka Times-Standard reports the Hoopa and Resighini tribes are upset over Tuesday's decision by the State Water Resources Control Board to put the process on hold for another year.

The tribes want the dams to undergo the Clean Water Act certification process, so owner PacifiCorp will be forced to remove toxic algae and make it easier for fish to travel. PacifiCorp officials say it doesn't make sense to go through the costly relicensing process because the dams could be removed in eight years.

Federal lawmakers have introduced legislation that would allow the U.S. Interior Department to determine if the dams should be taken down.