Tribes, fishermen talk dam removal

by Nathan Rushton

5/1/2007

Eureka Reporter

Area Indian tribes and fishermen who depend on Klamath River salmon for their livelihood are converging in Omaha, Neb., this week in an attempt to convince the corporate owners of several Klamath River dams that the structures must go to improve salmon stocks.

The Karuk, Yurok and Hoopa Valley tribal members, fishermen and other environmental groups working together to raise awareness of the issue rallied in Sacramento last week.

The groups hope they can take their dam removal message straight to PacifiCorp’s parent company Berkshire Hathaway’s investors, who are scheduled to meet with billionaire owner Warren Buffett in Omaha this week.

At issue are several of PacifiCorp’s aging hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River that are widely blamed for deteriorating water quality.

Dam removal advocates say economic analyses completed by state and federal energy agencies show dam removal is less expensive than the numerous mitigation measures required for relicensing.

A PacifiCorp spokesperson said the licensing process is moving along and the final environmental impact statement is expected to be released by FERC any day.

Reached in Omaha, Kelly Catlett, a policy advocate for Friends of the River, said the contingent of approximately 30 people are arriving in Omaha Tuesday to strategize for the rest of the week’s activities.

The tribes are scheduled to host a series of events in Omaha this week leading up to a rally on Saturday at the Berkshire Hathaway shareholders’ meeting, including a traditionally prepared roasted salmon meal on Thursday and a Brush Dance healing ceremony Friday.

Catlett said feedback from the groups’ efforts has been positive so far.

Although no meeting has yet been confirmed with Buffett, Catlett said she is hopeful.

Also in Omaha is Eureka resident Ronnie Pellegrini, the wife of Humboldt Bay-based commercial fisherman Paul Pellegrini.

Pellegrini auctioned her family on eBay earlier this year in a humorous attempt to raise awareness about the plight of West Coast fishing families hit hard by declining Klamath River salmon.

Pellegrini said she is hoping to meet and educate shareholders and “bend Mr. Buffet’s ear” to call for the removal of the dams.

“He can make that happen,” Pellegrini said.