Klamath Restoration Agreements

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Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement
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A Roadmap to Dam Removal

full text of KHSA

Klamath River Basin stakeholders have negotiated a Settlement Agreement that lays out the steps and criteria for removing the lower four Klamath River dams. This is the most ambitious and large scale dam removal effort in U.S. History.

irongateThe Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement, or KHSA, lays out the process for conducting necessary additional studies, environmental reviews, and a decision by the Secretary of the Interior as to whether 1) removal of the lower four dams on the Klamath River owned by PacifiCorp will advance restoration of the salmonid fisheries of the Klamath Basin, and 2) removal of dams is in the interest of Tribes, local communities, and the general public. The Hydroelectric Settlement includes provisions for the interim operation of the dams prior to dam removal as well as the process to transfer, decommission, and remove the dams.

Existing studies by a variety of agencies and scientists, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the California Energy Commission, indicate that dam removal is not only the best way to advance fisheries restoration and improve water quality, but is cheaper than relicensing the aging facilities which would require millions of dollars in upgrades in order get a new license. Even dam owner PacifiCorp agrees that under terms of the KBRA, ratepayers pay less than they would if the dams were upgraded and relicensed (PacifiCorp Statement).

The KHSA establishes 2020 as the target date for dam removal. This timeline allows for completion of necessary environmental and regulatory reviews and the collection of $200 million for dam removal from PacifiCorp customers - far less than they would otherwise pay to relicense the facilities.

The KHSA is the companion agreement to the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement. It is the two Agreements together that address the needs of the river through dam removal, enhanced in-stream flows, and restoration. At the same time, the two agreements combine to address the economic needs of local communties through water and power security.

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Did You Know?

Water Shut-off Highlights Need for Klamath Agreements

Karuk Tribe

P R E S S  R E L E A S E

For Immediate Release: March 18, 2010

For more information: Craig Tucker, Klamath Coordinator, Karuk Tribe, cell 916-207-8294

 

Drought Highlights Need for Klamath Agreements

Fish and Farms would be better off today if the Klamath Restoration Agreements where already in place

 Orleans, CA – Today Secretary of Interior Salazaar addressed the current drought situation in the Klamath Basin by breaking the hard news to irrigators that water deliveries will be reduced to 30-40% of average. Before agricultural deliveries can be made, the Bureau of Reclamation must first ensure that the water level in Upper Klamath Lake and the flows in the Klamath River meet minimal requirements to allow for the survival of ESA listed suckers and coho salmon.

 “It’s a difficult year for everyone. Even though irrigation deliveries are being dramatically cut, the water fish are getting only meets the minimal amount needed to avoid extinction. It’s barely enough water to keep the fishery on life support,” according to Leaf Hillman, Director of Karuk Natural Resources Department.

 The current situation is due in large part to a lack of precipitation, but if fisheries managers had the flexibility to manage the system in the manner prescribed by the recently signed Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement, more water would be available for fish in the crucial spring months ahead and more water would be available for agriculture as well.

 The current management plan prescribes winter flows in the river without considering weather events in real time. In a dry winter like this one, the result is that flows are held steady even in the face of deteriorating hydrologic conditions. Under Real Time Management, flows would have been pared back to better reflect the weather conditions in real time. This approach would have allowed resource managers to provide more water to the river in the spring when fish need it most, left more water in Upper Klamath Lake for suckers, and more management flexibility in meeting irrigation needs.

 According to Hillman, “We basically ran up a water deficit this winter gambling that a late season storm would bail us out, but the rains never came. Implementation of the Klamath Restoration Agreement would provide a more sound approach to water management.”

 In addition, the Real Time Management Plan called for by the KBRA would restore some of the Klamath’s natural hydrograph. This means river flows would be greater during storm events and less during dry periods. Current management calls for flat line flows out of Iron Gate Dam which is bad for fish. “Flat line flows contribute to the algae and fish disease problems on the Klamath by creating a stable environment for algae and disease carrying parasites to flourish. If we mimicked the river’s natural flow pattern with normal flow variability, it would help these problems greatly,” according to Karuk Senior Fisheries Biologist Toz Soto.

 Tribes are offering to support disaster relief measures to help farm families through the season. “Hopefully, we can get the Klamath Restoration Agreements enacted by congress this year and avoid a crisis like this in the future. Until then, Tribal and fishing communities will need to support our neighbors in farming and ranching as they brace for a year of economic hardship,” said Hillman.

 

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Technical memo describing how KBRA management would have helped address this year’s drought