Take Action to Support Klamath Dam Removal!

Dams on the Klamath River must come down to restore Coho and Chinook salmon runs to their historic spawning grounds. The federal government is currently accepting comments on the Environmental Impact Statement that proposes to commence dam removal in 2023, which includes procedures that would be used to draw down the four reservoirs; remove the dams and associated facilities; restore lands currently occupied by the dams, reservoirs, and other facilities; improve access for salmon to historical and existing habitat; and minimize adverse effects on environmental resources. It is critical that government officials hear from people supporting restoration of the Klamath River. Please take a moment to submit your comments below. Make sure to personalize why the Klamath matters to you.

The Klamath River Basin is one of the last strongholds for wild salmon populations on the North Coast and serves as a primary lifeline for tribes, fisheries and river communities. Unfortunately, decades of water mismanagement and outdated dam structures have resulted in toxic conditions that at times are unfit for human contact and are lethal for aquatic species. Since the construction of dams on the Klamath, salmon trying to reach their spawning ground are met with low flows, high water temperatures, toxic algae, and fish killing diseases that are pushing wild Coho and Chinook salmon populations towards the brink of extinction.

The Upper Klamath Basin was once home to spring Chinook salmon, the most prolific fish species in the Klamath system, with over 100,000 fish returning to the river each year to spawn. However, by the early 20^th century, springers suffered precipitous declines due to hydraulic mining, logging, diversions and especially from the fish blocking dams on the Klamath. Tribes in the Klamath Basin have suffered both economically and spiritually since the near extirpation of spring Chinook in the Middle and Upper Klamath. Dam removal would reopen vast amounts of good habitat for springers, giving hope and an opportunity to restore historic fish runs and improve the overall health of the Klamath River. 

After over a decade of intense negotiations, the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement was struck by dam owner (PacifiCorp), Tribes, non-profit organizations, and state and federal agencies. This historic deal allocated funding and laid out a plan to surrender the Lower Klamath project, deconstruct four dams, and restore the Klamath River. 

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has prepared a draft Environmental Impact Statement for the surrender and decommissioning of four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River. Comments on the draft EIS must be filed on or before April 18, 2022. 

Take Action Now! Sign the petition to tell FERC that you support dam removal and Klamath River restoration efforts!

Additionally, comments up to 6,000 characters can be filed at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ecomment.asp. Comments sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be addressed to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. The first page of any filing should include docket numbers P-14803-001 and P-2082-063.

Make Your Voice Heard

Ideas of what to include in your comment:

• I support dam removal and river restoration on the Klamath River as described in the Proposed Action with Staff Modifications of the draft Environmental Impact Statement. 
• The Klamath River Basin is one of the last strongholds for wild salmon populations on the North Coast and serves as a primary lifeline for tribes, fisheries, and river communities. Unfortunately, decades of water mismanagement and outdated dam structures have resulted in toxic conditions that at times are unfit for human contact and are lethal for aquatic species. Since the construction of dams on the Klamath, salmon trying to reach their spawning ground are met with low flows, high water temperatures, toxic algae, and fish killing diseases that are pushing wild Coho and Chinook salmon populations towards the brink of extinction.
• The Upper Klamath Basin was once home to spring Chinook salmon, the most prolific fish species in the Klamath system, with over 100,000 fish returning to the river each year to spawn. However, springers have suffered precipitous declines primarily due to the fish blocking dams on the Klamath. Tribes and river communities in the Klamath Basin have suffered both economically and spiritually since the near extirpation of spring Chinook in the Middle and Upper Klamath and dam removal would reopen vast amounts of good habitat for springers, giving hope and an opportunity to restore historic fish runs and improve the overall health of the Klamath River. 
• Endangered Southern Resident killer whales rely on Chinook salmon that historically returned in great numbers to rivers up and down the West coast, but with salmon stocks dwindling, killer whales are also in decline due to reduced prey. Klamath dam removal would result in increased Chinook salmon production, which would also benefit killer whales.
• Please act swiftly to implement this project. I understand that the staff has recommended obtaining all permits prior to ground disturbance, but timing could be the difference between extinction or survival of the iconic Klamath salmon that are critical to our region’s food chain and sustenance for generations to come. In order to save this important species, the process should be truncated to get the project moving.
• I commend FERC, PacifiCorp, and KRRC for undertaking this massive project and appreciate the opportunity to comment on this very important matter.