Speak up by Nov. 6 to Support Klamath Dam Removal

Thanks to the efforts of tribes, fishermen, farmers, conservation groups, and the dam owner PacifiCorp, four dams on the Klamath River in Oregon and California are slated for removal in 2020.

But we need to clear the next obstacle – please speak up by Nov. 6 to keep this restoration effort on track and ensure success.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the federal agency responsible for hydropower projects, must transfer the dam license from PacifiCorp to the entity responsible for decommissioning, the Klamath River Renewal Corporation. FERC has opened a public comment period until November 6, and we need you to weigh in to support the transfer.

The Klamath River was once the third largest producer of salmon on the West Coast. Removing the dams will restore the river, revive ailing salmon and steelhead runs, and revitalize fishing, tribal and farming communities.

The four Klamath dams produce a nominal amount of power, which can be replaced using renewables and efficiency measures and without contributing to climate change. A study by the California Energy Commission and the Department of the Interior found that removing the dams and compensating for the loss of power production with efficiency measures and other sources would save PacifiCorp customers up to $285 million over 30 years.

Learn more about the Klamath River restoration effort.

Thank you for speaking up for the Klamath River!

How to submit your comment to FERC:

1. Go to https://ferconline.ferc.gov/quickcomment.aspx

2. Enter your information including e-mail. Open automatic e-mail from FERC, follow link from there to submit comment.

3. In the docket field, enter # P-2082-062 to specify the project.

4. Fill in comment form using our sample letter below, or your own. If you have a personal story, please include it!

FERC requires comments be submitted by November 6th.

Sample letter:

I am writing to support the transfer of the four aging dams on the Klamath River- JC Boyle, Copco No. 1, Copco No. 2, and Iron Gate- to the Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC), and their ultimate removal.

The four Klamath River dams have blocked access to hundreds of miles of salmon and steelhead productive habitat for 100 years. The dams cause toxic algae blooms, reduce productivity of the river, block spawning grounds, and block off cold source water. Removal of the four Klamath dams represents an excellent opportunity to bolster salmon recovery on the West Coast.

The decommissioning and ultimate removal of the four Klamath dams not only makes economic sense, but would greatly benefit the Klamath salmon fisheries and all other Klamath Basin public resources that have been adversely affected by these four dams over the past century.

I urge FERC to approve this proposed License Amendment and transfer to the KRRC for purposes of removing the four Klamath dams and overseeing the restoration of the Klamath River.