Thursday February
18,
2010
Gov. Schwarzenegger Signs Historic Klamath River Agreements
Source: California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
The Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement and the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement begin the process of the largest dam removal and river restoration project in our nation’s history. The actions detailed in the two agreements will also restore what was once one of California’s largest salmon runs.
“Today’s historic agreement is testament to the great things we can achieve by working together,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “Everyone here cares about the magnificent Klamath River and we are taking action now to preserve this natural wonder for generations to come.”
In November 2008, Governor Schwarzenegger, with then-Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne and Governor Kulongoski, signed an Agreement in Principal to remove the Klamath dams (three in California and one in Oregon). During the past 15 months, dozens of parties have met on a regular basis to complete the final Dam Removal Agreement. There is a complex framework for dam removal that balances the timing of removal of each of the four dams with operating conditions and the costs of replacement power for PacifiCorp customers. Subject to Congressional approval and Department of Interior environmental review, the final agreement provides a target removal date of 2020 for the first dam, with removal of the remaining dams following as soon as possible. Additional environmental and engineering work will determine precisely how and in what order that process takes place.
The Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement provides for restoration of important salmon habitat on Klamath tributaries and allocates water rights and guarantees water deliveries for both farmers and for the environment. The basin restoration will cost about $1 billion over 10 years and will be financed by the federal government. The agreement is also subject to Congressional approval.