The Karuk Tribe is urging California’s U.S. Senators to oppose legislation that would make changes to federal permitting, historic preservation protections, and environmental review requirements. The legislation, known as the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026, or S. 5653, would make broad changes thattribal organizations, including the Karuk Tribe, say would alter the way federal agencies assess the impacts of projects on tribal cultural sites and historic properties, change water quality certification requirements, extend the term of pollution permits, and alter certain aspects of the endangered species review. … [Karuk Tribes natural resources policy consultant Craig] Tucker said several provisions the bill targets relate to the laws tribes and environmental groups relied on during the Klamath dam removal process. … [Karuk Vice Chair Kenneth] Brink said weakening those authorities could make similar outcomes more difficult to achieve in the future.

Other Klamath Basin news:

• Herald and News (Klamath Falls, Ore.): Working group seeks to reconnect flows in lower Klamath Basin watershed​