Berg, Chesbro push for Klamath dam removal
Article Launched: 8/17/2006 04:15 AM
The Times-Standard
Eureka Times Standard
State lawmakers Patty Berg and Wesley Chesbro on Tuesday urged the owner of several dams on the Klamath River to start taking the dams down in the wake of fish kills and toxic algae blooms in recent years.
”We strongly urge you to take immediate steps to begin the process of removing the dams that are strangling the life of the Klamath River and the people who depend on this river,” the Eureka and Arcata Democrats wrote in a letter to Pacificorp President William Furham.
The letter was sent as state officials announced a huge algae bloom in Klamath reservoirs. Scientists said the fluorescent-colored goo was so harmful that water skiers could be in danger just from breathing its vapors. Even a few ounces of the water could be enough to cause organ failure in sensitive people.
”We already have a decimated salmon population in the Klamath that is threatening the livelihood of our fishermen,” said Chesbro. “Now casual vacationers are at risk from these toxic growths in stagnant water. It's time to let this river flow again.”
Furham has recently said that the company would consider dam removal as part of a settlement process that parallels its application process with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Advocates of dam removal say that Pacificorp appears more inclined to consider removing the dams since it was purchased by billionaire investor Warren Buffet's MidAmerican Energy Holdings earlier this year.
”The time has come, and everyone knows it,” said Berg. “There is a great opportunity now to get these dams taken down in a way that makes sense for the community, for the environment and for the company that owns those dams.”
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