What Are ‘Parcel A’ and ‘Parcel B’ Lands in the Lower Klamath Dams Decommissioning Project?
What Are ‘Parcel A’ and ‘Parcel B’ Lands in the Lower Klamath Dams Decommissioning Project?
As part of the Lower Klamath Dams Decommissioning Project in Siskiyou County and neighboring Oregon, lands formerly associated with the four hydroelectric dams have been categorized into two main groups called Parcel A lands and Parcel B lands. These categories help clarify how different areas are managed and transferred following dam removal.
A recent transaction involving the purchase of a portion of Parcel A lands, around 10,000 acres, by the Klamath Indigenous Land Trust (KILT), was announced at the end of 2025.
This information is being provided to support public understanding of what these terms mean and how the land transitions are structured.
What are Parcel A Lands?
Parcel A lands are certain parcels of land that remained with the original owner, PacifiCorp, even after the dams were removed. These areas are situated north and northeast of the former Copco Lake shoreline, following the Klamath River through ranchlands and riparian terrain. Because this land remained under PacifiCorp ownership, decisions about its future use or transfer were handled directly by PacifiCorp and negotiated with other organizations when appropriate.
Recently, a portion of these Parcel A lands, approximately 10,000 acres, was purchased by the Klamath Indigenous Land Trust (KILT), an Indigenous-led nonprofit. The Shasta Indian Nation has publicly expressed support for this purchase via letter on October 2, 2025.
What are Parcel B Lands?
Parcel B lands encompass the areas formerly inundated by reservoir waters as well as the lands immediately surrounding the dam facilities. These Parcel B lands were first transferred to the Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC), the nonprofit organization responsible for decommissioning the dams. The Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors unanimously signed a letter of support to have the Parcel B lands ownership transferred to the Shasta Indian Nation on November 7, 2023.
These lands are currently transitioning through a post-decommissioning regulatory process, during which decisions about long-term management responsibilities and permitted future uses will be determined by KRRC and the designated state and federal agencies.
Why the Distinction Matters
The distinction between Parcel A and Parcel B lands exists to reflect different legal ownership, transfer requirements, and long-term management pathways following the removal of the four Lower Klamath River dams. Parcel B lands moved through a planned transfer process tied directly to the dam decommissioning and restoration agreement, whereas Parcel A lands remained with PacifiCorp until the recently sold portion to KILT.
What Happens Next?
- Parcel A lands will continue to transition through the separate private transaction with KILT and PacifiCorp.
- Parcel B lands will undergo phased transfer to designated public agencies after restoration milestones are met, according to KRRC and state agencies.
Additional updates will be shared as confirmed information becomes available.
