Congressman Cliff Bentz’s bill, H.R. 7938, designed to protect Klamath Basin water users from being charged for maintenance and upgrade costs attributable to the Link River or Keno dams, was passed out of the House on December 17th, passed the Senate on Dec. 19, and on Saturday, Jan. 4, President Biden signed it. The urgency of H.R. 7938 comes because the removal of four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River, completed this year, introduced new legal risks for farmers and ranchers—risks unrelated to their actions.

Other Klamath Basin news:

• Herald and News (Klamath Falls, Ore.): Upper Klamath Basin Ag collaborative newsletter