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This Website is Dedicated to Alvin Alexander Cheyne January 10, 1921 - June 17, 2005 |
Irrigators talk power;
Indians talk fish
Steve Kadel
Freelance Writer
Capital Press
November 17, 2006
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Klamath Basin irrigators voiced concerns over increased electrical power rates Nov. 14 as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission began its round of hearings on the environmental impact of relicensing the Klamath Hydroelectric Project.
Members of the Klamath Tribes spoke in favor of removing downstream dams to allow salmon to reach upper Klamath Basin spawning areas.
Nearly four dozen people spoke during a public meeting on FERC's draft Environmental Impact Statement. Public comment is being taken until Dec. 1, with the final EIS due in April.
John Crawford, a Klamath Reclamation Project irrigator, said farmers know it is important to support salmon restoration. But he said reasonably priced electricity is needed to pump water from Tulelake Irrigation District to the Tulelake National Wildlife Refuge and back into the Klamath River.
Crawford added that water from the Lost River watershed - connected to the project by canals - also benefits Klamath River flows as well as being used by irrigators.
Scott Seus, chairman of the Klamath Water Users Association's Power Committee, said irrigators "depend on low-cost power to keep our communities whole." PacifiCorp's economical electricity is a key part of Klamath Project operations, he said.
Most of those who testified favored dam removal or installation of fish ladders to allow salmon passage. Members of the Klamath Tribes wore T-shirts proclaiming "Bring the salmon home" and carried signs and balloons with the same message.
Tribal fisherman Don Gentry said the issue involves more than subsistence to Indians.
"We're hungry for that fish not only physically, but spiritually," he said. "Please return those fish so we can be the people the creator intended us to be."
Amanda Herkshan, a 17-year-old Klamath Tribes member, said, "My great-grandfather said when the fish are gone, the people are gone. I don't know what it's like to live with my culture."
Several Klamath Tribes members recalled the Treaty of 1864, saying it promised tribes could fish the rivers forever. They claim that California-Oregon Power Co. promised to install fish ladders when it built the river's first dam in 1917, but the promise was never fulfilled. PacifiCorp is Copco's successor.
"The dams must go," said Jim Carpenter, a Klamath Falls fishing guide. "The benchmark is water quality, and the way to achieve it is through a free-flowing river."
Phil Tupper suggested a remedy that would benefit irrigators as well as salmon.
"If you really want to solve this problem, you need deep, cold water storage," he said. That's beyond the scope of whether PacifiCorp turbines get license renewal.
Referring to PacifiCorp's estimate that the hydroelectric project provides power for 70,000 homes a year, Tupper said, "That just doesn't justify having those dams there."
Those who want to comment on the draft EIS prior to Dec. 1 should send a letter to Magalie R. Salas, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First St. NE, Washington, D.C. 20426. The envelope should include the words Klamath Hydroelectric Re-licensing Project, No. 2082-027.
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Klamath Basin irrigators voiced concerns over increased electrical power rates Nov. 14 as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission began its round of hearings on the environmental impact of relicensing the Klamath Hydroelectric Project.
Members of the Klamath Tribes spoke in favor of removing downstream dams to allow salmon to reach upper Klamath Basin spawning areas.
Nearly four dozen people spoke during a public meeting on FERC's draft Environmental Impact Statement. Public comment is being taken until Dec. 1, with the final EIS due in April.
John Crawford, a Klamath Reclamation Project irrigator, said farmers know it is important to support salmon restoration. But he said reasonably priced electricity is needed to pump water from Tulelake Irrigation District to the Tulelake National Wildlife Refuge and back into the Klamath River.
Crawford added that water from the Lost River watershed - connected to the project by canals - also benefits Klamath River flows as well as being used by irrigators.
Scott Seus, chairman of the Klamath Water Users Association's Power Committee, said irrigators "depend on low-cost power to keep our communities whole." PacifiCorp's economical electricity is a key part of Klamath Project operations, he said.
Most of those who testified favored dam removal or installation of fish ladders to allow salmon passage. Members of the Klamath Tribes wore T-shirts proclaiming "Bring the salmon home" and carried signs and balloons with the same message.
Tribal fisherman Don Gentry said the issue involves more than subsistence to Indians.
"We're hungry for that fish not only physically, but spiritually," he said. "Please return those fish so we can be the people the creator intended us to be."
Amanda Herkshan, a 17-year-old Klamath Tribes member, said, "My great-grandfather said when the fish are gone, the people are gone. I don't know what it's like to live with my culture."
Several Klamath Tribes members recalled the Treaty of 1864, saying it promised tribes could fish the rivers forever. They claim that California-Oregon Power Co. promised to install fish ladders when it built the river's first dam in 1917, but the promise was never fulfilled. PacifiCorp is Copco's successor.
"The dams must go," said Jim Carpenter, a Klamath Falls fishing guide. "The benchmark is water quality, and the way to achieve it is through a free-flowing river."
Phil Tupper suggested a remedy that would benefit irrigators as well as salmon.
"If you really want to solve this problem, you need deep, cold water storage," he said. That's beyond the scope of whether PacifiCorp turbines get license renewal.
Referring to PacifiCorp's estimate that the hydroelectric project provides power for 70,000 homes a year, Tupper said, "That just doesn't justify having those dams there."
Those who want to comment on the draft EIS prior to Dec. 1 should send a letter to Magalie R. Salas, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First St. NE, Washington, D.C. 20426. The envelope should include the words Klamath Hydroelectric Re-licensing Project, No. 2082-027.
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