Last Monday the Interior Department published a draft report summarizing two years of scientific and technical studies conducted to help inform a forthcoming decision on whether to remove four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River, per the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement (KHSA) of 2010.

The comprehensive draft report, entitled Klamath Dam Removal Overview Report for the Secretary of the Interior: an Assessment of Science and Technical Information (Overview Report), and each individual study conducted on the environmental and economic impacts of the potential dam removal, are available at www.KlamathRestoration.gov.

The Klamath Basin, covering over 12,000 square miles in southern Oregon and northern California, contains many natural resources and economic opportunities related to fisheries, farming, ranching, timber harvest, mining, and recreation. Each of these resources and opportunities has sustained communities throughout the basin for many decades.

The Klamath Basin is home to six federally recognized Indian tribes who have depended on many of these same natural resources for thousands of years to support their way of life and spiritual wellbeing. Natural resources in the basin, including clean water, abundant and reliable supplies of fish, and terrestrial plants and animals, are central to their cultural identity.

The construction of PacifiCorp's hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River combined with irrigated agriculture, both beginning in the early 1900s, contributed to declines in fisheries and water quality as well as to detrimental impacts to tribal resources and culture throughout the Klamath Basin.

Present crises in agricultural water availability and fish populations combined with relicensing requirements to lead basin stakeholders to come to agreement on the KHSA and the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement to remove four of these dams.

The report presents a summary of dozens of reports regarding the economics, engineering, biology, water quality, recreation and real estate impacts of dam removal that were first published last September.

"The science and analyses presented in these reports are vital to making an informed and sound decision on the Klamath River dam removal," said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.

"As we work toward strengthening the health and economic prosperity of all that depends on the Klamath - including our watersheds, fisheries, and forests - I encourage members of the public to offer their input on this draft overview report and perspectives on the opportunity that lies ahead."

The economic reports analyzed find that dam removal and implementation of the related watershedwide restoration program provide an opportunity to bring significant additional jobs to the region and strengthen local economies in the Klamath Basin for reasons that include improved fish populations; additional recreational and commercial fishing opportunities; and increased agricultural output due to more certainty in water deliveries. As part of its commitment to openness, transparency and scientific integrity, the Interior Department is arranging for a scientific peer review of the report by a sixmember independent panel.

In addition, the Department is encouraging the public to review and offer technical comments on the draft report for the peer reviewers to consider during their deliberations.

The public comment period on the draft report is open from Jan. 24 through Feb. 5, 2012. Comments received after this date will not be considered by the peer reviewers so it is vital that public comments be emailed to: ksdor@atkinsglobal.com.

The chairman of the House water and power subcommittee strongly opposes dam removal leading fellow Republican and our representative Wally Herger to email me the following rhetoric: "I have long been an advocate for reforming misguided environmental laws and I have joined my colleagues on multiple occasions with legislation to reform our regulatory environment.

I will continue to be a strong advocate for our private property rights, common-sense natural resources management, and the rural way of life we enjoy in Northern California. I will actively oppose federal funding for job-killing proposals that are masked by the feel-good word "sustainability."

I encourage all to take time to review the report rather than wallow in Wally's knee-jerk politics.

In my opinion sustainability is far more than a "feel-good word" but is the key to the equitable, environmentally sound, and lasting solution of vexing contemporary issues and problems.

Only with thorough and balanced consideration of all aspects of the area can we ensure water and economic vitality in the Klamath basin.

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Richard Mazzucchi is a retired research engineer specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy. He has travelled extensively and now makes his home in Los Molinos, where he is striving to manifest a sustainable