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Press Releases

Title
Description

North Coast Environmental Center
Consultants Support
Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement

Scientific reviews of the KBRA conclude that the agreement is good for fish
Click to download:
   Letter from Dr. Thomas Hardy
   Letter from Dr. Gregory Kamman

Governor signs bill
banning in stream
dredge mining for gold

Ban will remain in place
until new dredge mining rules
protective of fish are developed
 

Sacramento, CA – Today Governor Schwarzenegger signed a bill to temporarily ban the destructive form of recreational gold mining known as suction dredging. Other forms of mining are not affected. With its signing, the bill places an immediate moratorium on all suction dredge mining until the California Department of Fish and Game develops and implements new suction dredge regulations that are protective of fisheries and water quality.

Sacramento, CA –  Today Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski, California Oregon Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and PacifiCorp Chairman & CEO Greg Abel,, signed an Agreement in Principal (AIP) that defines the path to what would be the largest dam removal in US history.

Omaha, NE- Klamath River Basin tribal leaders, native activists, sport and commercial fishermen, and conservationists ..disrupt.. the Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting..demanding the removal of four Klamath River dams

Klamath Restoration Agreement
Science Reviews

(Click on links to the right
to download ->)

1. Klamath science meeting summary
2. Executive Summary USFWS Arcata Settlement Draft
3. Hardy Comments on Klamath Settlement Agreement
4. HVT comments on FWS Compilation

Press Materials for Omaha Media Events

Orleans, CA- A new report issued by the Karuk Tribe shows that the flesh of a popular game fish in PacifiCorp’s Klamath reservoirs is contaminated by the algal toxin microcystin. The report concludes that the public should by warned by health officials to not eat fish from the reservoirs during summer months.. Click here for the report

Sonoma, CA- Today the Klamath Riverkeeper, the Karuk Tribe of California, and the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Association (PCFFA) filed a lawsuit against the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, North Coast region, for failing to regulate toxic discharges from PacifiCorp’s Klamath dams and reservoirs.

Siskiyou Co., CA – Water samples from Copco and Iron Gate Reservoirs contain extremely high levels of the toxic blue-green algae Microcystis aeruginosa for the third consecutive year since monitoring began in 2005.
Click here to download: Copco/Iron Gate Reservoir Toxic Cyanobacteria Results: June 26-27th, 2007

Sacramento, CA- Today the Klamath Riverkeeper, the Karuk Tribe of California, and the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Association (PCFFA) jointly petitioned for the California State Water Board to hold PacifiCorp accountable for dangerously high blooms of toxic blue green algae in Klamath reservoirs

Happy Camp, CA – Today, the Department of Interior and Commerce filed the final mandatory terms and conditions that must be met in order for PacifiCorp to relicense the Klamath Dams. Although the agencies do not have the authority under the Federal Power Act to mandate dam removal, they can and did mandate fishways and ladders. ... the cost of the prescribed ladders and fishways makes dam removal an economically favorable alternative to relicensing.

Sacramento, CA – Today a joint federal and state working group released a detailed economic analysis of the controversial Klamath Dam project. The study concludes that because the Klamath dams are so old and outdated, it is cheaper for dam owner Warren Buffet to simply remove them instead of bringing them up to modern environmental standards.
Portland, OR - Ecotrust corporation report, "..a preliminary assessment of removal of the four Lower Klamath River dams. It will identify and begin to quantify the likely economic impacts, both positive and negative, that dam removal would have on local stakeholders, particularly Siskiyou County, as three of the four dams being considered for removal are located within its borders."
Happy Camp, CA – Yesterday Governors Schwarzenegger and Kulongoski announced plans to hold a Klamath Summit in December to “resolve a multitude of complex issues related to the health of the river that impact salmon fishermen, tribes, hydroelectric power and a host of environmental and habitat concerns.”
Happy Camp, CA – After weeks of stalemate, this week saw a flurry of activity in the relicensing of PacifiCorp’s aging Klamath River dams. The latest development is a judicial decision that may force the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to amend the draft Environmental Impact Statement released Monday to include millions of dollars’ worth of fish ladders.

Click here to download a copy of ALJ Ruling
Happy Camp, CA – A day after FERC staff filed a draft environmental impact analysis recommending a ‘trap and haul’ program to drive fish around PacifiCorp’s aging Klamath dams, the California Coastal Conservancy has filed a report that concludes dam removal could be done safely and affordably without leading to floods or exposing the river to toxins.
Happy Camp, CA – Despite what some experts consider an iron clad case for the removal of PacifiCorp’s Klamath dams, today the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a draft environmental impact statement that recommends only modest changes to current dam operations.
Sacramento, CA – In March, Federal agencies issued the terms and conditions for a new license which include fish ladders and flow improvements to benefit dwindling Klamath River salmon, steelhead and lamprey runs. PacifiCorp is fighting these mandates arguing that suitable habitat for salmon no longer exists upstream of the dams...
“PacifiCorp is essentially arguing that they have screwed up this river so much that they shouldn’t have to do anything to fix it,” according to Leaf Hillman, Vice Chair of the Karuk Tribe..."
Happy Camp, CA – A recent analysis of water samples from Copco and Iron Gate Reservoirs reveal extremely high levels of the toxic blue-green algae Microcystis aeruginosa which produces a compound known to cause liver failure and promote tumor growth.
Copco reservoir, OR - Recent phytoplankton cell count results for July 12-13th and 26-27th were received from Aquatic Analysts ... These data clearly show that hepato-toxic (capable of causing chronic liver damage and acting as a tumor promoter) blooms of Microcystis aeruginosa (MSAE) have increased dramatically in intensity and extent ... All reservoir stations on July 27th exceeded the World Health Organization Moderate Probability of Adverse Health Effect Level (MPAHEL) of 100,000 cells/ml..
Portland, OR - For the past several years, Klamath Basin Tribes have appealed to PacifiCorp to remove their Klamath River dams. ... Now under new management, the company is starting to listen.
Portland, OR - Klamath Basin Tribes and allies from the commercial fishing and conservation organizations will stage a rally at the bi-annual meeting of the international hydropower industry- Hydrovision 2006
Happy Camp, CA – In response to a structural fire, which destroyed a ceremonial dance house at the Karuk ceremonial area of Katimin near Somes Bar on July 2, 2006 an emergency session of the Karuk Tribal Council was convened last Friday ... the Tribal Council announced it had approved a plan to offer a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the destruction.
Somes Bar, CA – Fire crews from Orleans and Somes Bar were dispatched to a structural fire at 1:20 a.m. Sunday, July 2, 2006 at the Karuk ceremonial area of Katimin in Somes Bar, California.
A ceremonial dance house was destroyed and has been deemed a total loss. The fire is currently under investigation and a cause has not yet been determined.
Orleans, CA – .. Billionaire investor Warren Buffet intends to work with the Gates Foundation to donate billons of dollars to charity. Meanwhile, on the Klamath River, dams that are owned by a subsidiary of Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. continues to kill salmon, host toxic algae blooms, and put Tribal and non-native fishermen out of work.
Happy Camp , CA – By demonstrating compliance with the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization's national standards for health care quality and safety, the Karuk Tribal Health Program has earned the Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval
Orleans, CA – Yesterday Governor Schwarzenegger proclaimed a State of Emergency in 10 Counties providing disaster loan guarantees for salmon fishermen. Although encouraged by the action, Karuk Tribal members will not see much benefit from the package.
Portland, OR - Today Portland based PacifiCorp filed an appeal to Federal Agencies’ mandate to construct ladders on the Klamath Dams. ..Instead of ladders as mandated by the agencies, which the agencies had deemed necessary for success, PacifiCorp seeks to trap fall-run Chinook salmon at Iron Gate dam and drive them 80 miles to Klamath Falls, Oregon
Orleans, CA - The Aquarium Incubator Project provides students, teachers and community members an excellent opportunity to learn about the life cycles and habitat requirements of salmon and trout, important natural resources in the Klamath River Basin.
San Francisco, CA – At a rally .. leaders of the Yurok and Karuk Tribes of Northern California .. join Congressional Representatives Mike Thompson (D-CA), George Miller (D-CA) and Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) .. to call for lasting solutions to environmental problems on the Klamath River.
San Francisco, CA - During the agency's eighth annual Environmental Awards Ceremony in San Francisco today, U.S. EPA Regional Administrator Wayne Nastri presented plaques to three dozen organizations and individuals throughout the Pacific Southwest in recognition of their efforts to protect and preserve the environment in 2005.
Orleans, CA - The Karuk and Yurok Tribes of California join the Klamath Tribes of Oregon in supporting recent efforts of the Department of Commerce and Department of the Interior towards restoring the Klamath River. Today, the two federal agencies released mandatory terms and conditions for the issuance of a new license for Klamath Dams operated by PacifiCorp.
Happy Camp, CA – In an effort to protect the most critical cold water refugia for salmon, eel, and sturgeon, the Karuk Tribe filed a complaint with California Fish and Game demanding changes to suction dredge mining rules and regulations.
Click here for 2005 Press releases


Bring the Salmon Home Campaign

Title
Description
AFS Report
(4-1-2005)
American Fisheries’ Society Report confirms Tribal Oral Histories: Salmon once thrived in Upper Klamath Basin
A series of studies: Dam removal, sediment, economics, etc. for Klamath river basin
General background on the Klamath Dams, their impacts on the river and basin communities, and what you can do to help Bring the Salmon Home. Click here to download
Statements and citations from various agencies, decision makers, and commissions regarding the removal of Klamath Dams
For more information contact the Klamath River Campaign Coordinator,
Craig Tucker, Ph.D.

  
Click here to email Craig