Today, the Federal Energy Regulation Commission published the final draft of its Environmental Impact Statement. It focuses on plans to remove four hydroelectric dams in the lower Klamath River dams. The document is said by proponents to confirm the long-stated environmental benefits.
A thorough analysis by experts has revealed dam removal as the key to restoring Klamath fisheries, and improving water quality, Frankie Myers, Yurok Vice Chair, stated in a press release. Our culture and our fisheries hang in the balance. We are ready and able to start this year’s dam removal.
According to the joint press release from a group of dam removal stakeholders, FERC determined dam removal will have significant economic, environmental and cultural benefits to Northern California and Oregon, opening 400 miles of historic spawning habitat to salmon, while improving water quality along the imperiled river.
Russell “Buster”, chair of the Karuk Tribe said that this is the largest salmon restoration project in history. It is urgently needed. Every year, the number of salmon returning to their waters is decreasing. We could lose all of them if we don’t act quickly. Dam removal gives me hope for my grandchildren to be able fish for their family dinner in the same way that I did as a child.
The DEIS is available for public comment until April 18. FERC will then need to issue a final EIS before the project can proceed. Proponents of dam removal hope that the agency will give their final approval to the project this summer.
You can see the complete press release below.
KLAMATH DAM PROCESS REMOVAL PROCESS ENTERS HOST STRETCH
Environmental Review confirms Dam Removal’s Benefits
Washington, DC – Today, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission released its draft Environmental Impact Statement on the proposed removals of the four Klamath River dams. The DEIS, which details the benefits and impacts of the project, is now open for public comment.
Expert analysis again reveals that dam removal is the key to restoring Klamath fishing and improving water quality. Yurok Vice Chairman Frankie Myers. Our culture and our fisheries hang in the balance. We are ready and able to begin dam removal work this year.
Comparing dam removal’s impacts to current conditions, DEIS concluded that dam removal brings significant economic, environmental and cultural benefits to both northern California (and southern Oregon). This conclusion is consistent in the findings of two other Environmental Impact Studies, which evaluated dam removal over the last two decades.
Dam removal is key to reviving the salmon fishing industry in California and Oregon. Dams have reduced salmon returns to the Klamath River, which has resulted in fewer harvest opportunities for commercial fishing vessels owned by families. Glen Spain from the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermens Associations explains that dam removal can save our industry as well as thousands of jobs in California ports.
As many as 90% of the juvenile salmon samples tested positive for Ceratomyxa sasta in recent years. The dams are the most detrimental to water quality and flows. Spain says that dams are a key contributor to the diseases that have decimated entire salmon populations.
Trout Unlimited’s California Director Brian Johnson acknowledges that dam removal is only one component of the environmental restoration work needed throughout the Klamath basin to support the recovery fish like steelhead trout and salmon. Johnson stated that the Upper Basin still needs to balance water use and restore wetland habitats. The single most important thing we can now do to restore Klamath fisheries, and water quality, is to remove dams.
Dam removal has many benefits, including the reintroduction of salmon to more than 400 miles of historic habitat, elimination of toxic algal bloom reservoirs each summer, and elimination of poor water quality conditions that permit fish disease-causing parasites flourish. Relicensing dams is cheaper than removing them under the plan. This is why removal is the best option for PacifiCorp customers.
Russell Buster Attebery (Chairman of the Karuk Tribe) says that this is the largest salmon restoration project in history. It is urgently needed. Every year, the number of salmon returning to their waters is decreasing. We could lose all of them if we don’t act quickly. Dam removal gives me hope my grandchildren can fish for family dinner like I did when they were a kid.
Dam removal works. Brian Graber, senior director for river restoration for American Rivers, stated that we need only look at the Elwha River restoration in order to see how quickly an ecosystem can recover. The Klamath is significant because it will be the largest dam removal and river restoration effort of all time. It is also a story of righting historical wrongs, which illustrates how rivers and communities can co-exist in the future.
Some in the agricultural community see dam elimination as a way to increase fish populations, which will make it easier to resolve water disputes. What’s best for fish is also good for farms. The removal of dams will benefit people, fish, and agriculture. The removal of dams is a significant step towards restoring the Klamath Basin to balance, according to Kelley Delpit (third generation farmer in Klamath Basin).
FERC will accept public comments about the DEIS up to April 18, 2022. FERC must issue a final EIS, and then approve dam removal before it can be started. Dam removal advocates hope that FERC will issue a final authorization this summer to allow dam removal activities begin soon.
# # #