Painfully long dam relicensing process moves key step forward

February 20, 2007

Klamath Falls Herald and News Editorial

PacifiCorp's decision to install fish ladders on four Klamath River dams moves the dam relicensing process a major step forward on the troubled river system. That's to be welcomed. Uncertainty dogs many facets of the Klamath.

The utility agreed to install fish ladders and screens, a requirement from federal agencies if PacifiCorp wants to renew the license. The 50-year license lapsed in 2006, but can be renewed on a year-to-year basis until a decision is made on a long-term license.

Under the agreement, the fish ladders and screens would be installed at Copco No. 1, Copco No. 2 and Iron Gate dams in California, and J. C. Boyle Dam in Oregon. The Klamath River starts at Lake Ewauna in Klamath Falls, though its major reservoir is Upper Klamath Lake, which is connected to Lake Ewauna by the Link River. The Klamath River flows through northern California and meets the ocean at Klamath, Calif., 17 miles south of Crescent City.

The river used to be a massive producer of migrating salmon, and the dams (along with the Klamath Reclamation Project) have been blamed for the drastic reduction in salmon runs. To what extent that's true remains a major point of conjecture.

Downriver American Indian Tribes and fishermen have been trying to get the dams removed, especially Iron Gate.

No on trucking

PacifiCorp offered to truck the migrating salmon around the dams, but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is requiring that the utility install fish ladders and screens. The utility's estimate of cost is $300 million, and that figure seems to grow at every major step taken. One of the early estimates - perhaps five years ago - was $100 million.

Clearly, though, the dams are valuable, and their worth may have increased in recent months as the efforts to control greenhouse gases has increased in an effort to control global warming.

Unlike some other types of generating facilities, dams don't create greenhouse gases.

Last month the Oregon Public Utility Commission rejected a conditional PacifiCorp proposal to increase its power generation by building coal-fired plants in Utah and Wyoming. That's not necessarily the final word on the proposal, but it should signal an increased value for facilities that don't cause greenhouse gases.

Whatever else their problems and impacts may be, that includes hydroelectric facilities.

The controversy over the dams won't end with PacifiCorp's decision on the fish ladders. But even with the tribes' and fishing interest in removing the dams entirely, it should bring the lengthy process much closer to an end.

Pat Bushey wrote today's editorial, which represents the view of the Herald and News editorial board.