Klamath River impaired

EPA says segments of Klamath are polluted by toxic algae

By LEE JUILLERAT
H&N Regional Editor

March 22, 2008

   The Environmental Protection Agency has deter mined segments of the Klamath River , watershed — also advocates removal of four dams. 

   EPA’s decision reversed an earlier decision, and it determined the river between Oregon and the and fishermen to remove Klamath River dams. The proposed Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement — which allocates water to stakeholders along the Klamath River including the Copco and Irongate reservoirs, are polluted by toxic algae. 

   The announcement is expected to increase efforts by Indian tribes, environmental groups Iron Gate dam, including the Copco and Iron Gate reservoirs, was impaired by microcystin toxins or blue-green algae.

   The EPA finding did not point to the dams as the source of the algae toxins. That is an issue for later consideration. But it did note that toxins were found at unhealthy levels in the reservoirs behind the dams, and not in the river downstream. Low levels have been found in fish, but not enough to warn people against eating them. 

   EPA spokesman Peter Kozelka termed the reversal “not very common” and said it may complicate the ability for PacifiCorp, a Portland based power company, to guarantee clean water along the river. 

   But Toby Freeman, PacifiCorp’s regional community manager, said Friday he did not expect the decision to impact the certification process. 

   “In fact,” he said, “the EPA confirmed in a telephone conversation today that this is not a deal-breaker for Clean Water Act certification. 

   “We have always taken the matter of algae along the Klamath River system seriously. Algae occurs naturally throughout the Klamath system and has been documented as long as folks have been writing about the Klamath,” he added. “The EPA does not point to any particular source for the algae toxins in the lower Klamath River .”

California Water Board 

   The California Water Board could consider the algae toxins in the two reservoirs, along with three previously listed pollutants, when it decides whether to grant Clean Water Act certification needed for PacifiCorp to get a new operating license for the dams. 

   Regina Chichizola, a riverkeeper for Klamath Riverkeeper, the group that filed the lawsuit that led to the EPA reversal, was pleased with the decision. 

   “The reservoirs created by PacifiCorp’s dams are the origin of the blooms of the toxic blue green algae Microcystis aeruginosa, a liver toxin and known tumor promoter,” she said. 

   The decision, Chichizola said, “means PacifiCorp will have to clean up the reservoirs … and will ultimately drive another nail in the coffin for PacifiCorp’s dams.” 

   Neon green 

   Chichizola claims toxic algae released from the reservoirs last summer “turned the river neon green during the peak of the Klamath River fishing season and Native Tribes’ ceremonies.” 

   State agencies urged people to avoid the river, which she termed “a major blow to the remote Klamath’s rural economy.”  

Side Bar 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, any copyrighted
material  herein is distributed without profit or payment to those who have
expressed  a  prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit
research and  educational purposes only. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml

Source:  http://pioneer.olivesoftware.com/Daily/Skins/heraldandnews/

navigator.asp?skin=heraldandnews