Dam Removal Uncertain In Proposed Klamath Settlement

Cartoon published by Sacramento Bee, Artist Rex Babin

The Oregon-based utility PacifiCorp, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and Native American Tribes are releasing a draft settlement agreement on Wednesday, September 30 that could lead to the removal of four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River and restoration of the river’s once fabled salmon runs.

But the defining characteristic of the complex 130-page agreement is “could.”
“Although an important step towards restoration of the Klamath River, the draft settlement provides little certainty that PacifiCorp’s fish-killing and polluting dams will be removed by the proposed target date of 2020,” said Steve Evans, Conservation Director of the California-based statewide river conservation organization Friends of the River.

“It’s going to take a lot more work and effort by all parties to ensure that the dams are actually removed and the Klamath River salmon are restored in our lifetime,” Evans said.

In addition to failing to guarantee removal of the Klamath River dams, Friends of the River noted that the draft settlement provides broad liability protection for PacifiCorp against future lawsuits (even in circumstances where PacifiCorp could be negligent), and will rely on the multi-million dollar appropriations from the State of California and the federal government to implement dam removal and river restoration.

“California budget cuts have caused drastic cutbacks in public safety, health, education, and environmental programs. It doesn’t seem possible that the state will have the money any time soon to help implement the restoration project,” Evans said.
Despite its flaws, Friends of the River will seriously consider signing the proposed settlement agreement.

“If we don’t sign the agreement, we won’t be at the table to protect the public interest and advocate for swift removal of the dams,” Evans said

River of Renewal Film Screening

At the California Rivers Festival, view "River of Renewal" which examines the water and wildlife crisis in the Klamath Basin—a bioregion as large as Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire combined. The communities that harvest food from the Klamath Basin—raising crops and cattle, catching salmon in the river and offshore—have all suffered due to the lack of enough water to serve the needs of irrigation and fisheries alike. This film takes a journey to the Klamath Basin to reexamine the water issues. Learn more about the Klamath River and watch the trailer by clicking here.

Bottled Water, McCloud River, Project Tap, Pasadena & Pleasanton Fly Fishing Shows

I don't know if you noticed... but we actually had one or several decent storms in the past week or so. While the needle is still pegged in the red, it was very nice to hear rain on the roof and hear of flakes in the mountains. It was a little bit of good news in these interesting times. Here are a few more little tid-bits I've collected for you:

• There are some really interesting films focusing on water these days. In addition to the two movies about the Klamath (Rivers of Renewal and Upstream Battle), a movie about the murky world of bottled water looks very interesting and is probably an important watch.


• Trout Unlimited’s On the Rise TV show recently aired an episode focused on the McCloud River, a true California gem, and discussed the threats posed by a proposed Nestle water bottling plant


• UNICEF is doing some interesting things around their Tap Project. The YouTube-ized Tap experience is worth a quick watch.


• If you are going to be browsing the booths at either the Fly Fishing Show in Pasadena (February 21-22) or Pleasanton (February 27 – March 1), stop by the Friends of the River Booth
  

Below is a picture of the Merced, just outside Yosemite. A beautiful CA river.