| Dam Removal Restores Salmon Runs | 16 October 09 |
 A tentative agreement has been reached to remove four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River and restore a 300-mile migratory route for salmon in California and Oregon. The dams - Iron Gate, Copco 1, Copco 2 and the J.C. Boyle were built starting in 1909 and are currently operated by the PacificCorp. Blamed for devastating declines of Chinook and coho salmon and steelhead trout, the dams have also warmed the water and allowed contaminating toxic blooms of blue-green algae. A total of 28 parties, including American Indian tribes, federal agencies, farmers, conservation groups and PacifiCorp negotiated a draft agreement, currently under review and expected to be signed this December. Dismantling the dams would begin in 2020 at an estimated $450 million. This cost is less than improving the dams with fish ladders, screens and other improvements necessary to comply with US federal Clean Water Act and Fish and Wildlife Agency regulations. View September 30, 2009 San Francisco Chronicle articleView October 13, 2009 Indian Country News article View October 3, 2009 New York Times article View September 30, 2009 Associated Press article Sources: San Francisco Chronicle, Indian Country , NY Times |
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