Take Action to encourage the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to approve the transfer of dam surrender to Klamath River Renewal Corporation. This is the final step to start the process and preliminary projects to remove the four dams on the lower Klamath River.
Over the past four decades, advocates, conservationists, and tribal nations have set forth to restore a free-flowing Klamath River. Winding its way from south-central Oregon through northern California, the Klamath River has been impeded by hydropower dams since 1903. These dams have had undeniable negative impacts on the entire Klamath ecosystem—including fish, habitats, and communities. It's time now that we all support and speak up sharing our voice to remove the harmful dams on the Klamath River.
At present, the four lower dams on the Klamath are scheduled for removal. Klamath River Renewal Corporation, a private non-profit created to oversee and organize the removal of the dams, submitted their final budget to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on February 28. Budget approval and an overview of the plan from a private board of consultants marked the final steps necessary for dam surrender applications. The dam-removal project now lies in the hands of FERC to approve and move forward.
Drawdown of the dams will start in 2022, with preliminary projects starting this summer. Native Fish Society strongly supports the immediate removal of the four lower dams and advocates for the project timeline to continue on track.
The current plan to restore the Klamath River includes rebuilding the hatchery infrastructure at Fall Creek Hatchery near Yreka, California. Under this plan, hatchery operations will continue for eight years after dam removal.
Native Fish Society and others are advocating to ensure other options are presented for the future of the Klamath. A no-hatchery alternative would benefit the ecosystem and write a completely new chapter in river and wild fish restoration history.
This prized river needs our help. Regardless of your homewaters, please visit Reconnect the Klamath and take action. At this website, you can follow a step by step process to submit comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to support dam removal. Although FERC requires more steps than usual to submit a letter of support, it is not as cumbersome as it may look. It will take five minutes or less to complete.
Please consider advocating for the restoration of the Klamath River. We fully support all non-government organizations, tribal nations, and agencies working to move this project forward creating wild healthy fish, a free-flowing river, and thriving local communities.
Please visit the Wild & Free Klamath River Campaign page to learn more. For any questions please email Kirk Blaine at kirk@nativefishsociety.org
