Lawmakers Look Into Cheney’s Role in Klamath Water Diversion

Three dozen lawmakers from California and Oregon want to know what role, if any, Vice President Dick Cheney played in the diversion of water from the Klamath River Basin. They say the 10-year plan for diversion contributed to what’s considered the largest commercial salmon disaster in U.S. history.

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)  -- Three dozen lawmakers from California and Oregon want to know what role, if any, Vice President Dick Cheney played in the diversion of water from the Klamath River Basin.

They say the 10-year plan for diversion contributed to what’s considered the largest commercial salmon disaster in U.S. history.

"The action has resulted in the largest adult salmon kill in the history of the West and it's been devastating. In fact, last year's commercial fishing season for all of California and Oregon was cut by over 90 percent,” said Palo Alto Congresswoman Anna Eschoo. "We need to obviously have investigation on this because there is a blatant disregard for the law in this. So first we have to have the hearing so we can probe deeper into this."

The request for an investigation follows news reports that Cheney pressured U.S. Department of the Interior employees to divert water from the Klamath River Basin in order to benefit Republican political prospects among Oregon farmers.