Friday, April 29, 2005

Klamath Falls Herald and News

The federal government is taking public comment on the possible removal of Chiloquin dam.

On the Sprague River, about 30 miles north of Klamath Falls, the Chiloquin dam restricts endangered Lost River and shortnose suckers from reaching spawning and rearing grounds in the river's watershed, according to a federal press release.

The dam is slated to be removed in a two-year long project starting this summer.

In preparing for the work, the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs has developed an environmental assessment that outlines the impacts on the environment of the proposed project and other options. The document, released Wednesday, will be open for public comment until May 27.

Along with removing Chiloquin dam, federal officials propose constructing new pumping facilities with fish screens on the Sprague and Williamson rivers to provide an alternative source of irrigation water to Modoc Point Irrigation District.

A compact disc of the assessment is available upon request from Melissa Bond at (503) 231-6779. Hard copies are available from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Office at 6600 Washburn Way or at the Klamath Tribal Headquarters at 501 Chiloquin Blvd. or at the Chiloquin Community Center Library, 140 S. First St.

Written comments regarding the dam will be accepted at: Bureau of Indian Affairs, 911 NE 11th Ave., Portland, OR 97232 - Attention, June Boynton, Environmental Protection Specialist.

For more information, call Boynton at (503) 231-6749.

On the Net: www.usbr.gov/mp/kbao