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PacifiCorp's Revised Klamath Proposal No Help to Fish
Don't be fooled by the corporate spin job - the revised proposal for PacifiCorp's dams is no good for salmon, steehead, lamprey eel and other fish on the Klamath River.
P R E S S R E L E A S E
KARUK TRIBE
For Immediate Release: December 5, 2006
Contact: Craig Tucker, Klamath Coordinator, Karuk Tribe, 530-627-3446 x3027
PACIFICORP’S REVISED KLAMATH PROPOSAL NO HELP TO FISH
Buffet’s PacifiCorp more interested in PR than substance
Happy Camp, CA – The same day that California and Federal Agencies released a report describing how dam removal would save billionaire investor Warren Buffet’s PacifiCorp millions of dollars, the company proposed changes federal agencies’ mandatory fish passage plans.
“PacifiCorp is billing this revised plan as some sort of compromise when their proposal falls far short of what federal agencies are mandating and does little to stop the wholesale destruction of Klamath salmon,” according to Leaf Hillman, Vice Chairman of the Karuk Tribe.
PacifiCorp’s press release claims that the revised plan “demonstrates both its [PacifiCorp’s] willingness and strong desire to work with the Departments of Interior and Commerce to focus on improving conditions for fish,” however, a footnote on page one of the plan states “this filing should not be considered a replacement of PacifiCorp’s existing proposed alternative.”
According to Erica Terence of the Northcoast Environmental Center in Arcata, CA, “This is nothing but a corporate spin job. Don’t be fooled. Buffet’s PacifiCorp isn’t interested in doing the right thing for fish or rate payers or else they would be negotiating instead of greenwashing.”
The joint state/federal study filed last week concludes that PacifiCorp would save over $100 million by removing the dams instead of bringing the antiquated complex up to modern standards. “These savings would be passed to ratepayers. Instead, the company will try to bill ratepayers for the cost of relicensing plus a little extra as a bonus for shareholders like Warren Buffet. While our fish go extinct, Buffet will get even richer and power rates will go up,” explains Hillman.
Regulated utilities earn profits for shareholders through capital improvement projects. Shareholders pay for the improvement plus an added percentage of the cost to be given to investors. These improvement projects must be approved by state regulators.
Its not only economic studies that favor dam removal. Another California agency reported that the sediment trapped behind the dams is limited and non-toxic. That report concluded that dam removal is “safe and affordable.”
Last summer, Tribes, fishermen, and communities dependant on a healthy river for economic survival were encouraged when PacifiCorp President Bill Ferhman responded to a protest staged by dam removal advocates in Portland by stating, “We have heard the Tribes’ concerns. We are not opposed to dam removal or other settlement opportunities as long as our customers are not harmed and our property rights are respected.”
“Obviously Mr. Ferhman has not heard our concerns. Ferhman and Buffet are still clinging to these dams which are nothing less than weapons of genocide,” says Hillman.
# # #
For more information and previous press releases log on to: http://www.karuk.us/press%20&%20campaigns/press.php
To see California study on safety and feasibility of dam removal: http://elibrary.FERC.gov/idmws/file_list.asp?accession_num=20060926-5075
Or http://www.karuk.us/press%20&%20campaigns/press.php
FERC dEIS for Klamath Project:
http://elibrary-backup.ferc.gov/idmws/common/OpenNat.asp?fileID=11141022.
Other documents including the CA/Federal economic analysis can be found at http://www.ferc.gov. The FERC project number for the Klamath Project number is 2082-027.
S. Craig Tucker, Ph.D.
Klamath Campaign Coordinator
Karuk Tribe of California
office: 530-627-3446 x3027
cell: 916-207-8294
ctucker [at] karuk.us
http://www.karuk.us
KARUK TRIBE
For Immediate Release: December 5, 2006
Contact: Craig Tucker, Klamath Coordinator, Karuk Tribe, 530-627-3446 x3027
PACIFICORP’S REVISED KLAMATH PROPOSAL NO HELP TO FISH
Buffet’s PacifiCorp more interested in PR than substance
Happy Camp, CA – The same day that California and Federal Agencies released a report describing how dam removal would save billionaire investor Warren Buffet’s PacifiCorp millions of dollars, the company proposed changes federal agencies’ mandatory fish passage plans.
“PacifiCorp is billing this revised plan as some sort of compromise when their proposal falls far short of what federal agencies are mandating and does little to stop the wholesale destruction of Klamath salmon,” according to Leaf Hillman, Vice Chairman of the Karuk Tribe.
PacifiCorp’s press release claims that the revised plan “demonstrates both its [PacifiCorp’s] willingness and strong desire to work with the Departments of Interior and Commerce to focus on improving conditions for fish,” however, a footnote on page one of the plan states “this filing should not be considered a replacement of PacifiCorp’s existing proposed alternative.”
According to Erica Terence of the Northcoast Environmental Center in Arcata, CA, “This is nothing but a corporate spin job. Don’t be fooled. Buffet’s PacifiCorp isn’t interested in doing the right thing for fish or rate payers or else they would be negotiating instead of greenwashing.”
The joint state/federal study filed last week concludes that PacifiCorp would save over $100 million by removing the dams instead of bringing the antiquated complex up to modern standards. “These savings would be passed to ratepayers. Instead, the company will try to bill ratepayers for the cost of relicensing plus a little extra as a bonus for shareholders like Warren Buffet. While our fish go extinct, Buffet will get even richer and power rates will go up,” explains Hillman.
Regulated utilities earn profits for shareholders through capital improvement projects. Shareholders pay for the improvement plus an added percentage of the cost to be given to investors. These improvement projects must be approved by state regulators.
Its not only economic studies that favor dam removal. Another California agency reported that the sediment trapped behind the dams is limited and non-toxic. That report concluded that dam removal is “safe and affordable.”
Last summer, Tribes, fishermen, and communities dependant on a healthy river for economic survival were encouraged when PacifiCorp President Bill Ferhman responded to a protest staged by dam removal advocates in Portland by stating, “We have heard the Tribes’ concerns. We are not opposed to dam removal or other settlement opportunities as long as our customers are not harmed and our property rights are respected.”
“Obviously Mr. Ferhman has not heard our concerns. Ferhman and Buffet are still clinging to these dams which are nothing less than weapons of genocide,” says Hillman.
# # #
For more information and previous press releases log on to: http://www.karuk.us/press%20&%20campaigns/press.php
To see California study on safety and feasibility of dam removal: http://elibrary.FERC.gov/idmws/file_list.asp?accession_num=20060926-5075
Or http://www.karuk.us/press%20&%20campaigns/press.php
FERC dEIS for Klamath Project:
http://elibrary-backup.ferc.gov/idmws/common/OpenNat.asp?fileID=11141022.
Other documents including the CA/Federal economic analysis can be found at http://www.ferc.gov. The FERC project number for the Klamath Project number is 2082-027.
S. Craig Tucker, Ph.D.
Klamath Campaign Coordinator
Karuk Tribe of California
office: 530-627-3446 x3027
cell: 916-207-8294
ctucker [at] karuk.us
http://www.karuk.us
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Comments
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Here's a copy of a public comment letter sent to FERC via snailmail. Attempts at efiling comment with FERC online failed after numerous attempts to enter the docket number in the field provided. Ended up sending email to John Mudre with same info..
There are several points i didn't mention in the comment letter, including that dams lose water in the summer from evaporation & transpiration due to greater surface areas of reservoirs and lower water velocity, higher temps, etc..
In addition the top coating of "M. aeruginosa" algae film across the reservoirs is breathing as all plants do and uses up water in the process of respiration. This water is exhaled following photosynthesis and evaporates in the hot dry air of summer. Since the algae forms a film coating on the rocks directly above the reservoir's water level, additional river water is taken up in this respiration process by capillary action across the algal film. Over time those millions of tiny algaes can breathe a great deal of water out of the river. This process of water loss by transpiration/evaporation is occurring across the entire segment of water behind the dams, length multiply by width..
Here both farmers in the Klamath Basin and salmon, tribal nations and fisherpeople are fighting over the remaining water of the Klamath, while a considerable amount of water loss is related to the dams themselves. Since the primary water storage component of the Klamath is Upper Klamath Lake, the reservoirs of Pacificorp's lower four dams are useless for water storage (in fact the dams contribute to water loss over summer months from evapotranspiration) and negligible for net energy production..
A great deal of additional scientific data is being ignored by FERC, certain public comments may be stifled if FERC is narrowing their field to specific comments directed at sections of the DEIS. There is a great deal more related to the effects of the dams on the ecosystem that cannot be explained due to time constraints placed upon us by FERC. Either way, if FERC ignores this public comment, maybe the people of the world (!Viva Chavez!) will hear my concerns about the Klamath dams effects on the salmon, sovereign Klamath Nations, and all others who live near the river....
Magalie R. Salas
Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street N.E.
Washington D.C. 20426
RE; Klamath Hydroelectric Project FERC No. 2082-027
11/27/06
Dear Ms. Salas;
Am writing to urge your protection of the Klamath River ecosystem and
endangered anadromous fish including coho salmon by decommissioning and
removing the lower four Klamath Dams owned by Pacificorp. The removal of
the lower four Klamath dams will also improve habitat for salmon, lamprey,
and sturgeon.
There are several important details that FERC’s DEIS missed out on and
will require correction before the DEIS is considered complete. FERC only
evaluated removal of the lower two Klamath Dams, ignoring the presence of
toxic algae ‘Microcystis aeruginosa’ that infests all four dam’s upstream
reservoirs. To provide a healthy riparian ecosystem on the Klamath
according to EPA standards for protecting endangered species, the removal
of the lower four dams will be the least expensive, simplest and safest
solution to flushing out the toxic algae infestation that threatens the
survival of salmon. Since algicide splits the cells of the algae, a
release of algae toxic compound microcystin will linger in the reservoir
indefinitely. Removal of lower four dams will simultaneously deal with the
multi-pronged problems of toxic algae, low dissolved oxygen levels, high
water temps and low water velocity, all of which compounded threaten
salmon survival.
The FERC DEIS alternative of catch and hauling salmon via trucks upriver
is also inadequate according to EPA standards, as the upriver release
sites remain uninhabitable by salmon due to the dam induced conditions
(toxic algae blooms, lower dissolved oxygen, lower velocity, high temps,
etc..). By removing the lower four Klamath dams, salmon can return to
their traditional spawning grounds, accessing tributaries further up into
the river canyon, and having clear, cold water to transport the juveniles
to sea.
FERC’s DEIS completely ignores the destructive effects of the lower
Klamath dams on the cultural survival of the Yurok, Hupa, Karuk and
Klamath/Modoc nations that continue to call the Klamath River ecosystem
their home following centuries of coexistence with the salmon, sturgeon,
lamprey and others. The spiritual, mental and physical health of the
indigenous Klamath nations is directly correlated with the health of the
salmon runs, their main source of food. Following the 2002 fish kill along
the Klamath from dam induced bacterial outbreak, the Yurok, Hupa and Karuk
responded by protesting the loss of their livelihood. Many scientists have
evidence that the populations of salmon runs will increase several times
in the years following the lower four Klamath dams removal. However, if
the lower four dams remain standing, the outcome of salmon die off will
effect indigenous peoples, contributing to cultural genocide of the
Klamath Nations.
Thank you for your concern,
Joe/Jane Doe
Crescent City resident
There are several points i didn't mention in the comment letter, including that dams lose water in the summer from evaporation & transpiration due to greater surface areas of reservoirs and lower water velocity, higher temps, etc..
In addition the top coating of "M. aeruginosa" algae film across the reservoirs is breathing as all plants do and uses up water in the process of respiration. This water is exhaled following photosynthesis and evaporates in the hot dry air of summer. Since the algae forms a film coating on the rocks directly above the reservoir's water level, additional river water is taken up in this respiration process by capillary action across the algal film. Over time those millions of tiny algaes can breathe a great deal of water out of the river. This process of water loss by transpiration/evaporation is occurring across the entire segment of water behind the dams, length multiply by width..
Here both farmers in the Klamath Basin and salmon, tribal nations and fisherpeople are fighting over the remaining water of the Klamath, while a considerable amount of water loss is related to the dams themselves. Since the primary water storage component of the Klamath is Upper Klamath Lake, the reservoirs of Pacificorp's lower four dams are useless for water storage (in fact the dams contribute to water loss over summer months from evapotranspiration) and negligible for net energy production..
A great deal of additional scientific data is being ignored by FERC, certain public comments may be stifled if FERC is narrowing their field to specific comments directed at sections of the DEIS. There is a great deal more related to the effects of the dams on the ecosystem that cannot be explained due to time constraints placed upon us by FERC. Either way, if FERC ignores this public comment, maybe the people of the world (!Viva Chavez!) will hear my concerns about the Klamath dams effects on the salmon, sovereign Klamath Nations, and all others who live near the river....
Magalie R. Salas
Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street N.E.
Washington D.C. 20426
RE; Klamath Hydroelectric Project FERC No. 2082-027
11/27/06
Dear Ms. Salas;
Am writing to urge your protection of the Klamath River ecosystem and
endangered anadromous fish including coho salmon by decommissioning and
removing the lower four Klamath Dams owned by Pacificorp. The removal of
the lower four Klamath dams will also improve habitat for salmon, lamprey,
and sturgeon.
There are several important details that FERC’s DEIS missed out on and
will require correction before the DEIS is considered complete. FERC only
evaluated removal of the lower two Klamath Dams, ignoring the presence of
toxic algae ‘Microcystis aeruginosa’ that infests all four dam’s upstream
reservoirs. To provide a healthy riparian ecosystem on the Klamath
according to EPA standards for protecting endangered species, the removal
of the lower four dams will be the least expensive, simplest and safest
solution to flushing out the toxic algae infestation that threatens the
survival of salmon. Since algicide splits the cells of the algae, a
release of algae toxic compound microcystin will linger in the reservoir
indefinitely. Removal of lower four dams will simultaneously deal with the
multi-pronged problems of toxic algae, low dissolved oxygen levels, high
water temps and low water velocity, all of which compounded threaten
salmon survival.
The FERC DEIS alternative of catch and hauling salmon via trucks upriver
is also inadequate according to EPA standards, as the upriver release
sites remain uninhabitable by salmon due to the dam induced conditions
(toxic algae blooms, lower dissolved oxygen, lower velocity, high temps,
etc..). By removing the lower four Klamath dams, salmon can return to
their traditional spawning grounds, accessing tributaries further up into
the river canyon, and having clear, cold water to transport the juveniles
to sea.
FERC’s DEIS completely ignores the destructive effects of the lower
Klamath dams on the cultural survival of the Yurok, Hupa, Karuk and
Klamath/Modoc nations that continue to call the Klamath River ecosystem
their home following centuries of coexistence with the salmon, sturgeon,
lamprey and others. The spiritual, mental and physical health of the
indigenous Klamath nations is directly correlated with the health of the
salmon runs, their main source of food. Following the 2002 fish kill along
the Klamath from dam induced bacterial outbreak, the Yurok, Hupa and Karuk
responded by protesting the loss of their livelihood. Many scientists have
evidence that the populations of salmon runs will increase several times
in the years following the lower four Klamath dams removal. However, if
the lower four dams remain standing, the outcome of salmon die off will
effect indigenous peoples, contributing to cultural genocide of the
Klamath Nations.
Thank you for your concern,
Joe/Jane Doe
Crescent City resident
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