PacifiCorp Energy eases to closure of Klamath dams
8/3/2006
While admitting that “many complex social, political and economic issues” still need to be addressed, the president of one of the nation’s leading power supply companies says he is optimistic about the future of Native American interests in the Klamath River Basin area.
Bill Fehrman, president of PacifiCorp Energy, said his company was not opposed to dam removal or other settlement opportunities “as long as our customers are not harmed and our property rights are respected.”
For the past several years, Klamath Basin Tribes have appealed to PacifiCorp to remove their Klamath River dams. The tribes and other groups argue that the dams deny salmon access to more than 350 miles of historic spawning habitat, heat the river to temperatures lethal to salmon and provide habitat for massive blooms of toxic blue algae.
“These negative impacts of these dams clearly justify their removal,” said Howard McConnell, chairperson of the Yurok Tribe.
Fehrman’s announcement coincided with a Wednesday rally in Portland, where international hydropower corporations are holding a major conference. Portland also is the home of PacifiCorp Energy and Pacific Power.
In a media release, the Klamath Tribes of Oregon, the Karuk Tribe and the Yurok Tribe noted that “the Klamath River has been the poster child for ecological collapse since the new infamous fish kill of 2002 left 68,000 adult salmon dead. Since then, the tribes, conservation groups, fishermen, farmers and now PacifiCorp have been working on solutions to what has metastasized into a major problem for the entire West Coast.”
Scott Boley, a fisherman and member of the Oregon Salmon Council, said, “This year’s West Coast fisheries closures were mandated to protect struggling Klamath River salmon runs. It is costing the states of Oregon and California millions in lost revenues and many fishermen are losing their jobs.”
“We consider salmon to be our relations,” said Leaf Hillman, vice chair of the Yurok Tribe. “They are part of our cultural identity. What’s more, many of my people still fish to feed themselves and their families.”
Allen Foreman, chairperson of the Klamath Tribes, said, “We have not fished for salmon for more than 88 years when the first ladderless dam was built. Now, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to remove these dams and bring our salmon home.”
McConnell said the Yurok “are seeing positive momentum on the issue of dam removal” and that Fehrman’s comments are “very encouraging.”
“The next step,” McConnell said, “is pairing action with words. The Yurok Tribe will work closely with all parties in the basin to achieve our long-term goal of a free-flowing river and a restored fishery.”
Copyright (C) 2005, The Eureka Reporter. All rights reserved.
8/3/2006
While admitting that “many complex social, political and economic issues” still need to be addressed, the president of one of the nation’s leading power supply companies says he is optimistic about the future of Native American interests in the Klamath River Basin area.
Bill Fehrman, president of PacifiCorp Energy, said his company was not opposed to dam removal or other settlement opportunities “as long as our customers are not harmed and our property rights are respected.”
For the past several years, Klamath Basin Tribes have appealed to PacifiCorp to remove their Klamath River dams. The tribes and other groups argue that the dams deny salmon access to more than 350 miles of historic spawning habitat, heat the river to temperatures lethal to salmon and provide habitat for massive blooms of toxic blue algae.
“These negative impacts of these dams clearly justify their removal,” said Howard McConnell, chairperson of the Yurok Tribe.
Fehrman’s announcement coincided with a Wednesday rally in Portland, where international hydropower corporations are holding a major conference. Portland also is the home of PacifiCorp Energy and Pacific Power.
In a media release, the Klamath Tribes of Oregon, the Karuk Tribe and the Yurok Tribe noted that “the Klamath River has been the poster child for ecological collapse since the new infamous fish kill of 2002 left 68,000 adult salmon dead. Since then, the tribes, conservation groups, fishermen, farmers and now PacifiCorp have been working on solutions to what has metastasized into a major problem for the entire West Coast.”
Scott Boley, a fisherman and member of the Oregon Salmon Council, said, “This year’s West Coast fisheries closures were mandated to protect struggling Klamath River salmon runs. It is costing the states of Oregon and California millions in lost revenues and many fishermen are losing their jobs.”
“We consider salmon to be our relations,” said Leaf Hillman, vice chair of the Yurok Tribe. “They are part of our cultural identity. What’s more, many of my people still fish to feed themselves and their families.”
Allen Foreman, chairperson of the Klamath Tribes, said, “We have not fished for salmon for more than 88 years when the first ladderless dam was built. Now, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to remove these dams and bring our salmon home.”
McConnell said the Yurok “are seeing positive momentum on the issue of dam removal” and that Fehrman’s comments are “very encouraging.”
“The next step,” McConnell said, “is pairing action with words. The Yurok Tribe will work closely with all parties in the basin to achieve our long-term goal of a free-flowing river and a restored fishery.”
Copyright (C) 2005, The Eureka Reporter. All rights reserved.
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