[env-trinity] (no subject)

[Byron Leydecker]

cid:image001.png at 01CAB09E.CC8CEEB0

 

Date: February 18, 2010

Contact: Kendra Barkoff, (202) 208-6416

Julie Rodriguez, (202) 208-6416

 

Secretary Salazar, Governors Kulongoski and Schwarzenegger Announce
Agreement on Klamath River Basin Restoration

 

SALEM, Oregon - Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today joined Oregon
Governor Ted Kulongoski, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger,
PacificCorp Chief Executive Officer Greg Abel and the chairmen of the
Klamath, Yurok and Karuk Tribes in announcing final agreements that could
potentially lead to removal of four dams on the Klamath River and the
largest river restoration project in our nation's history.

 

The Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement and the Klamath Hydroelectric
Settlement Agreement provide a framework for removal of the dams by 2020
contingent on Congressional approval and a scientific assessment by the
Interior Department confirming that their removal is indeed in the public
interest.  The agreements also outline activities that would be undertaken
to restore fisheries and provide water supply certainty to communities and
water users in the Basin.

 

"The Klamath River, which for years was synonymous with controversy, is now
a stunning example of how cooperation and partnership can resolve difficult
conflicts," said Secretary Salazar.  "The Agreements provide a path forward
to meet the needs of local communities, tribes, farmers, fishermen and other
stakeholders while restoring a beautiful river and its historic salmon
runs," Salazar said.

 

"Today we celebrate a thoughtful, collaborative approach that will bring
certainty and stability to water issues to support agriculture and, at the
same time, will restore the Klamath River to support wild salmon
populations," said Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski. "A restored basin will
serve all Oregonians - from the basin to our coastal communities - who
depend on the river and its resources for their social and economic
livelihoods."

 

"Today's historic agreement is testament to the great things we can achieve
by working together. Everyone here cares about the magnificent Klamath River
and we are taking action now to preserve this natural wonder for generations
to come," said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

 

"Our top priority at PacifiCorp has been and continues to be protecting our
customers in terms of cost and liability, said Greg Abel, PacifiCorp
Chairman & CEO.  "This is another significant milestone toward establishing
the framework that ensures our customers' best interests are front and
center, no matter what the ultimate public policy decision is in terms of
dam removal."

 

"These agreements will vastly improve habitat conditions for fish by
re-establishing the connectivity between physical, chemical and biological
processes within the basin that are essential to ecosystem health and the
sustainability of the basin's valuable natural resources," said Jane
Lubchenco, Under Secretary of Commerce for  Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA
Administrator. NOAA, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is the federal
agency responsible for the stewardship of the nation's living marine
resources and their habitats.

 

Interior will undertake a rigorous, science-based analysis, as well as a
full analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act, and make a final
determination by March 31, 2012, whether the benefits of removing the dams
will advance restoration of salmon in the Klamath Basin and be in the public
interest. The decision will be made in consultation with state, local, and
tribal governments and other stakeholders, as appropriate. 

 

The potential removal of the dams is a key piece of a major restoration
effort for the Klamath developed by more than 30 diverse stakeholders,
including California and Oregon, three tribes, PacifiCorp, water users and
conservation groups. The restoration agreements, if confirmed by Congress
and fully implemented, would provide sustainable allocation of water for
fish harvest, agriculture uses, national wildlife refuges, and other users. 

 

###

 

 

Byron Leydecker, JcT

Chair, Friends of Trinity River

PO Box 2327

Mill Valley, CA 94942-2327

415 383 4810 land/fax (call first to fax)

415 519 4810 mobile

 <mailto:bwl3 at comcast.net> bwl3 at comcast.net

 <mailto:bleydecker at stanfordalumni.org> bleydecker at stanfordalumni.org
(secondary)

 <http://fotr.org/> http://www.fotr.org 

 

 

 

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