Klamath Indigenous Land Trust Purchases 10,000 Acres Along Klamath River
Land acquisition marks major post-dam removal milestone in river restoration efforts
KLAMATH BASIN, Calif.–Ore. — The Klamath Indigenous Land Trust (KILT) has completed the purchase of approximately 10,000 acres of land along the Klamath River from PacifiCorp, marking one of the largest private land acquisitions by an Indigenous-led land trust in U.S. history.
The purchase, announced December 29, comes roughly one year after the historic removal of four hydroelectric dams along the Klamath River and includes land in and around the river’s former reservoir reach. The area is considered critical habitat for salmon and central to long-term river restoration and fisheries recovery.
According to KILT, the acquisition represents the first time in more than a century that these lands will be stewarded under Indigenous ownership and management. The organization said stewardship moving forward will be guided by Indigenous values alongside ecological restoration principles.
“Dam removal allowed the salmon to return home,” said Mollie Myers, president of KILT’s board of directors, in the release. “Returning these lands to Indigenous care ensures that home will be a place where they can flourish and recover.”
PacifiCorp, the former landowner, partnered with KILT to complete the transaction following decades of Indigenous-led advocacy to remove the dams. The utility said the transfer aligns with cultural and environmental restoration goals for the basin.
“PacifiCorp is gratified to see these lands transition to a stewardship model that honors their cultural and ecological significance,” said Ryan Flynn, president of Pacific Power, a division of PacifiCorp.
KILT was formed by Indigenous leaders representing four different Klamath Basin Tribes who worked together following the 2002 fish kill and the subsequent grassroots movement to restore the river. Leaders said collaboration across Tribal communities was key to achieving both dam removal and land return.
With the acquisition complete, KILT said its next steps include developing comprehensive land management plans with input from area Tribes. Those plans are expected to address habitat recovery, cultural resource protection, fire management, and public access considerations.
“This is the next chapter in the Klamath River’s renewal,” said KILT board member Jeff Mitchell. “It’s proof that Indigenous leadership and community partnerships can achieve transformational change at a landscape scale.”
Funding for the purchase was provided by The Catena Foundation, the Community Foundation of New Jersey, and an anonymous donor.
Cover image: Oregon State University, Flickr
Editor’s Note
KILT noted that the lands acquired in this transaction are separate from parcels held by the Klamath River Renewal Corporation for dam removal and restoration purposes, commonly referred to as the “Parcel B” lands.
