Klamath Tribes, Fishermen and Riverkeeper petition California for relief from toxic algae

NEWS RELEASE: For immediate release: May 10th, 2007

Contacts:
Regina Chichizola, Klamath Riverkeeper: 530-627-3280
Craig Tucker, Karuk Tribe: 530 627-3446 ext 3027
Glen Spain (PCFFA): 541-689-2000 (office) or 541-521-8655 (cell)
 

Rebuked by Buffett: Klamath Tribes, Fishermen and Riverkeeper petition California for relief from PacifiCorp toxin pollution.
 
Sacramento, CA: In an uncharacteristic deferral to regulators, billionaire Warren Buffer passed the buck last week to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and state agencies for the toxic pollution his subsidiary PacifiCorp creates in the Klamath River. Today, Klamath River Tribes, fishermen and environmental groups petitioned the California’ Water Resources Control Board to declare PacifiCorp a polluter, requiring the company to get a permit for toxic algae blooms proliferating in the river as a result of dams run by the utility. 
 
“PacifiCorp’s dams and the toxins they cause are making the Klamath River unsafe for tribal members that use the river for religious ceremonies and subsistence fishing, yet the state of California has yet to declare PacifiCorp a polluter, or regulate them,” said Craig Tucker with the Karuk Tribe.  “We hope California will protect Klamath residents from PacifiCorp’s pollution, as we know they are deeply committed to removing the Klamath dams and protecting salmon.”
 
The blooms generate the highly dangerous liver toxin, microcystin, a serious human health hazard, which can cause fatal liver damage, particularly in children, in concentrations now routinely observed in the Klamath.  California public health officials have posted unsafe water warnings along the Klamath, alerting residents not to have contact with the water. Microcystin can also accumulate in the livers of many fish, particularly salmon. Attorneys Robert Kennedy and Joe Cotchett have filed a nuisance suit against PacifiCorp on behalf of local fishermen, tribal leaders and businessmen, whose livelihoods and culture have been destroyed by the dams.
 
When confronted with the facts of this case in an emotional plea by Klamath residents at his shareholders meeting, the normally polished Buffett fumbled through papers to read a written response. Even Forbes magazine commented:  “It would have been more heroic to agree to meet with the people affected and to put his weight behind a fair and proper solution.” (http://www.forbes.com/opinions/2007/05/05/berkshire-annual-meeting-oped-cz_bl_0505buffett.html)
 
The petition submitted by the Karuk Tribe, Klamath Riverkeeper, the Institute for Fisheries Resources and the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen claims that PacifiCorp fits the California State Water Resources definition of a polluter because concentrations of toxic algae created and released at their dams have been recently been recorded in concentrations up to 4,000 times the level considered safe for contact by  the World Heath Organization.  Further, the petition provides proof that PacifiCorp has known about the hazard for at least seven years, according to the utility’s own records, but did not notify public health officials, local residents or the public until local tribes conducted their own tests.
 
 
The groups contend that for at least the last two years concentrations of toxic algae have been way over safe levels, which has hurt not only tribes and fishermen, but also the local economy.
 
“These dams are an ongoing disaster for the Klamath River and its vitally important salmon fisheries,” noted Glen Spain of PCFFA, a commercial fishing industry trade association that is one of the Co-Petitioners.  “Dam operations that create toxic hazards in the Klamath River that jeopardize both fish and fishermen should not be tolerated.” 
 
Commercial fishermen and the Tribe also cite recent economic studies by the State of California that prove the removal of PacifiCorp’s dams, which cause this toxin, is more cost effective than the mitigations required to re-license them.  Meanwhile, PacifiCorp is claiming dam removal will exacerbate global warming despite the California Energy Commission’s conclusion that removing the dams will not increase greenhouse gas emissions and the state of Oregon’s refusal to count the dams as green energy.
 
“Out of 28 stakeholders, only one – PacifiCorp – wants the dams to stay.  State and federal agencies, farmers, fishermen, tribes and environmental groups all call for the dams to come down, “said Regina Chichizola from Klamath Riverkeeper.  “Mr. Buffett is getting bad advice. The only thing green about the Klamath dams is the toxic algae scum in their reservoirs.”
 
Photos and B-Roll available. 
 Regina Chichizola
Klamath Riverkeeper 
P.O Box 21
Orleans, CA 95556
530 627-3280

541 951-0126