Klamath Dam Removal Advocates Win Major Victory in Dams Toxics Case

Klamath Dam Removal Advocates Win Major Victory in Dams Toxics Case


KLAMATH RIVERKEEPER PRESS RELEASE:

For immediate release: March 20, 2008, 2008
Contact: Regina Chichizola, Klamath Riverkeeper 541 951-0126
Chris Sprowl, Environmental Advocates (415) 533-3376

KLAMATH DAM REMOVAL ADVOCATES WIN MAJOR VICTORY IN DAMS TOXICS CASE
Lawsuit moves EPA to list Klamath as impaired by PacifiCorp’s toxic discharge

Orleans, CA –Klamath Riverkeeper won a major concession today from the Environmental Protection Agency related to the toxic algae created by PacifiCorp’s reservoirs on the Klamath River. In the wake of litigation filed by Klamath Riverkeeper, the agency reconsidered its decision to not designate the Klamath River as impaired by the toxic algae. The reservoirs created by PacifiCorp’s dams are the origin of the blooms of the toxic blue green algae Microcystis aeruginosa, a liver toxin and known tumor promoter.

“Given the fact that the concentration of algal toxin exceeds international safety standards by as much as 4,000 fold, we could not believe that the EPA failed to act. We hope today’s announcement signals a commitment by the agency to stop PacifiCorp’s toxic pollution of the Klamath River and will ultimately drive another nail in the coffin for PacifiCorp’s dams,” said Regina Chichizola, the Klamath Riverkeeper.

This lawsuit was just one of a series of legal actions taken by the Klamath Riverkeeper, Tribal religious leaders, and fishermen over PacifiCorp’s toxic algae. Last year Robert Kennedy Jr. and Joseph Cotchett filed a public nuisance case on behalf of Klamath residents. The case was filed while Klamath River residents were appealing to Warren Buffett at Berkshire Hathaway’s yearly shareholders meeting in Omaha, Nebraska. PacifiCorp is owned by Berkshire Hathaway and Buffett is the president of the company and its major shareholder.

The EPA’s announcement comes at a critical time. PacifiCorp’s dams are in the final steps of a federally mandated relicensing process. In order to get a new dam license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), PacifiCorp must first get a clean water certification from the states of California and Oregon. The listing of the reservoirs and river as impaired by toxic algae could jeopardize PacifiCorp’s clean water permit applications. The EPA announcement today signals the beginning of a thirty day comment period, however a listing is all but assured by the agency’s decision to reconsider their previous stance.

Last year, releases of toxic algae from the reservoirs into the river turned the river neon green during the peak of the Klamath River fishing season and Native Tribes’ ceremonies. The toxic release lead to over one hundred miles of the Klamath River being posted by state agencies urging the public to avoid contact with the water and was a major blow to the remote Klamath’s rural economy.

“PacifiCorp has become the most destructive power company in the West,” noted Leaf Hillman, vice chairman of the Karuk Tribe and dam removal advocate. “Their dams have brought the third greatest salmon river in America to its knees. Their coal plants are putting over 80 million tons of carbon into our air. Its time we hold Warren Buffett and PacifiCorp accountable for their impacts to our environment and our communities. Buffett fights poverty and disease in the third world while PacifiCorp creates those same conditions right here in America. ”

Klamath Riverkeeper, along with local Tribes, fishermen, and environmental groups, have been pressuring PacifiCorp to surrender the Klamath dams for several years. Their efforts have been bolstered by economic analyses by both FERC and the California Energy Commission which show dam removal to be cheaper for ratepayers than relicensing.

# # #

For more information see:

http://www.klamathriver.org/

http://www.salmonforsavings.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDny8jvd950