“At this point, they’ve put it on hold for some
reason, and we don’t know what it is,” said state spokesman
Dave Clegern.
Toby Freeman, regional community manager with the
company, said the application was withdrawn to furthere
discussions about the dams with state and federal
officials.
Water quality certification is necessary for
PacifiCorp to continue using the dams, which are a key
component of the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement.
Proponents want them removed to restore passage for
migratory fish and aid habitat restoration.
Water agreement
Released Jan. 15, the agreement calls for a
variety of projects and actions to allocate water between
Basin communities, and it advocates removal of four
hydroelectric dams
on the Klamath River. It also includes money to help pay for
the purchase of private land for the Klamath Tribes and
establishes a stable power rate for irrigators.
PacifiCorp voiced concerns
about dam removal, including liability for any consequences
and cost to customers and stockholders, but it hasn’t ruled
out the possibility. The company has given no timeline for
reaching a decision.
Clegern said the withdrawal holds up the dam
relicensing process. The state will now delay meetings and
workshops establishing timelines and needed documentation.
Freeman said withdrawal of similar
applications has happened in other dam relicensing cases and
is fairly common. He acknowledged PacifiCorp’s move related
to talks with government officials in Oregon, California and
Washington, D.C., but he declined to comment on how it would
impact discussions about the dams or when a resolution would
come.
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