“The KBCC provides general oversight and administration, including activity and program coordination, information sharing, priority setting, fund seeking, and dispute resolution related to implementation of the Restoration Agreement. The KBCC makes decisions to implement certain provisions as specified in the restoration agreement. The KBCC also serves as the forum for public involvement in implementation of the restoration agreement.”

In order for the deadline extension amendment to be implemented, all 42 original signatories to the KBRA must approve it.

So far, at least eight parties – including Klamath County, Ore., Humboldt County, the Karuk Tribe, the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations and the Upper Klamath Water Users Association – have approved the amendment to extend the agreement’s expiration in the hopes that Congressional approval will eventually become a reality.

However, the looming possibility of the deal’s expiration has encouraged opponents of the deal. In addition to the many agricultural groups opposing the KBRA because they believe dam removal is a mistake, there are several factions of dam removal supporters who would also like to see the deal expire.

Groups such as the Hoopa Tribe and several environmental activists have registered their objections to the deal on the grounds that the KBRA is allegedly taking too long to achieve dam removal, erodes tribal rights or does not provide minimum flow guarantees for certain endangered species such as coho salmon.

With political log jams in Congress, longtime agriculturalist opposition and the addition of some pro-dam removal KBRA opponents, the restoration agreement faces a steep uphill climb toward implementation.