In June 2025, the Karuk signed a fiber lease agreement with Yurok Telecommunications Corporation (YTEL). Under this agreement, YTEL will build and lease dark middle-mile fiber
infrastructure over Martin’s Ferry Bridge per the drawing. The Karuk Tribes ancestral territory is along the upper Klamath River from Happy Camp/Yreaka to Aikens Creek. They have protected their ceremonies for centuries and continue to practice traditional lifeways, including their annual World Renewal Ceremonies. The neighboring Yurok Tribe shares similar cultural values and works alongside the Karuk people in efforts to protect the Klamath River and restore environmental balance across their homelands.
This fiber infrastructure is what was formally known as the Klamath River Rural Broadband Initiative (KRRBI) to bring high-speed internet to some of the most remote and underserved communities in Northern California.
Project Lead: Joshua Deixler, Project Manager
