The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission today released the final version of its environmental impact statement on plans to remove four hydroelectric dams from the lower Klamath River dams, and the proponents say the document confirms the vaunted environmental benefits.

“Once again, in-depth expert analysis reveals that dam removal is critical to restoring Klamath’s fisheries and improving water quality,” Yurok Vice President Frankie Myers said in a statement. Press release. “Our culture and our fisheries are at stake. We are ready to start work on removing the dam this year.

According to the joint press release from a group of dam removal stakeholders, FERC has determined that the removal of the dam will have significant economic, environmental and cultural benefits for Northern California and Oregon, opening 400 miles of historic salmon spawning habitat, while improving water quality along the area at risk. River.

“This is the largest salmon restoration project in history,” Russell “Buster” Attebery, president of the Karuk Tribe, said in the statement. “And it is desperately needed. Fewer and fewer salmon return each year. If we don’t act now, we risk losing them all. Removing the dam gives me hope that my grandchildren will be able to fish for the family dinner like I did when I was a kid.

The DEIS is open for public comment until April 18, and FERC will need to release a final EIS document before the project can move forward. Proponents of dam removal hope the agency will give final approval to the project this summer.

See the full press release copied below.

KLAMATH DAM REMOVAL PROCESS ENTERS STRETCH HOUSE

Environmental review confirms benefits of dam removal

Washington, DC – Today, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released its draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) on the proposed removal of the four lower Klamath River dams. The public is now invited to comment on the DEIS which describes the impacts and benefits of the project.

“Once again, extensive expert analysis reveals that dam removal is critical to restoring Klamath’s fisheries and improving water quality,” notes Yurok Vice President Frankie Myers. “Our culture and our fisheries are at stake. We are ready to start work on removing the dam this year.

By comparing the impacts of dam removal to current conditions, DEIS concludes that dam removal provides significant economic, environmental, and cultural benefits to northern California and southern Oregon. This conclusion is consistent with the results of two other environmental impact studies that have assessed the removal of dams over the past two decades.

For commercial salmon fishermen in California and Oregon, removing dams is essential to revitalizing their industry. “The dams have decimated salmon returns on the Klamath River, which means less harvesting opportunities for family-owned commercial fishing vessels. Removing the dams has the potential to save our industry and thousands of jobs at ports in California and Oregon,” says Glen Spain of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations.

In recent years, as many as 90% of juvenile salmon sampled have tested positive for a disease called Ceratomyxa shasta. The disease is prevalent in areas where water quality and flows are most affected by dams. “Dams are a key factor in diseases that wipe out entire generations of salmon,” Spain explains.

Brian Johnson, California director of Trout Unlimited, agrees that dam removal is just one important part of the environmental restoration work needed throughout the Klamath Basin to support the recovery of fish like salmon and rainbow trout. in sky. “We still need to balance water use and restore wetlands in the upper basin,” Johnson said. “But removing the dam remains the single most important thing we can do to restore Klamath’s fisheries and water quality at this time.”

The benefits of dam removal include the reintroduction of salmon to over 400 miles of historic habitat, the elimination of reservoirs that harbor toxic algal blooms each summer, and the elimination of poor water quality conditions. water that allow fish pathogenic parasites to thrive. Since the cost of re-licensing the dams would exceed the cost of removal under the plan, removal is also the best outcome for PacifiCorp customers.

“This is the largest salmon restoration project in history,” notes Russell “Buster” Attebery, president of the Karuk Tribe. “And it is desperately needed. Fewer and fewer salmon return each year. If we don’t act now, we risk losing them all. Removing the dam gives me hope that my grandchildren will be able to fish for the family dinner like I did when I was a kid.

“The removal of the dam works. We only have to look at the restoration of the Elwha River to see how quickly an entire ecosystem can recover,” said Brian Graber, Senior Director of River Restoration for American Rivers. “The Klamath is important not only because it will be the greatest dam removal and river restoration effort in history, but also because it is a story of righting historical wrongs. , illustrating how the future of rivers and communities are inextricably linked.”

Some members of the farming community see the removal of dams as a way to improve fish populations, making it easier to resolve water conflicts. “That is to say, what is good for the fish is good for the farms. Removing dams will benefit fish, people and agriculture. Removing the dam is a big step towards bringing the Klamath Basin back into balance,” said Kelley Delpit, a third-generation farmer in the Klamath Basin.

FERC will accept public comments on the DEIS until April 18, 2022. Before dam removal can begin, FERC will need to issue a final EIS and approval. Dam removal advocates hope that FERC will issue a final approval this summer for dam removal activities to begin soon after.

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