KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. -- An Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist has drafted a proposal to reintroduce chinook salmon to the Upper Klamath Lake and its tributaries.

Roger Smith will present his plan to the public Wednesday and to the ODFW Commission on May 9.

If approved, the ODFW would draft an implementation plan that would likely take a year or two to develop.

The fish reintroduction must also wait until PacifiCorp finishes relicensing negotiations with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for four hydroelectric dams south of Upper Klamath Lake. Under new federal mandates, providing passage for migrating fish is required as part of dam relicensing.