California Dam Demolitions a Victory for Some, Devastation for Others

Contact Your Elected Officials
The Epoch Times Header

SISKIYOU COUNTY, Calif.โ€”As the Klamath Dam Removal Projectโ€”the largest in the nationโ€™s historyโ€”nears completion, reaction to the aftermath has been mixed, ranging from celebration to devastation.

Proponents are celebrating the four dam removals after their decades-long battle to restore the free-flowing river, while other residents and property owners say the destruction of the dams and loss of the manmade lakes is crippling tourism and recreation activities such as camping, water skiing, sport fishing, and boating, as well as hurting wildlife and increasing wildfire risks.

Environmental nonprofit groups and local Native American tribes have pushed for decades to demolish the dams along the Klamath River, saying they damaged the ecology of the river and blocked upstream spawning habitat, causing a decline in salmon populations.

The 263-mile river drains a basin spanning about 12,000 square miles and traverses the Californiaโ€“Oregon border from its headwaters in Oregon through the Cascade Mountains to the Pacific Ocean south of Crescent City, California.

The demolition of the four damsโ€”John C. Boyle, Copco 1, Copco 2, and Iron Gateโ€”which were built between 1911 and 1962, is expected to be complete by late August.

Klamath River Renewal Corp. (KRRC), a nonprofit coalition formed to manage the dam removal and river restoration project, has a 15-member board of directors, including nine members appointed by the California and Oregon governors, one member from each of the Karuk and Yurok tribes, one from fisheries groups, and two appointed collectively by environmental groups such as American Rivers, California Trout, Klamath Riverkeeper, Sustainable Northwest, and Trout Unlimited.

The project is intended to โ€œimprove the habitat and health of fisheries by allowing salmon, steelhead, and lamprey access to over 400 stream-miles of historic spawning habitat upstream of the dams,โ€ prevent stagnant reservoirs from increasing water temperatures in the summer, and help alleviate poor habitat conditions that contribute to algae growth and fish diseases, according to KRRC.

Some Residents Devastated

As she stood at her familyโ€™s cabins in Northern California looking out over the Klamath River, where Copco Lake once flourished with wildlife and recreation, Chrissie Reynolds said she was overwhelmed with sadness.

Byย Brad Jones

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Epsteinโ€™s Niece Exposes the Illuminati!

There is a shocking interview by the podcaster Shaun Attwood, an English former ecstasy trafficker turned YouTube podcaster, speaker, activist, and author.

When Gynocrats Attack: Innocent Locker Room Talk Interrupted By Rabid Karen

The question posed: โ€œWho do you think has a...

Obamaโ€™s Treason is a Betrayal of American Democracy and Demands Real Accountability

Few scandals have cast a longer shadow than the 2016 Russia investigationโ€”the manufactured crisis by President Obama designed to cripple Trump's presidency.

Chronic Grievous Insufficiency

A president's physical vigor, stamina, and mental acuity are essential to his ability to fulfill the duties of office and those qualities should matter with no regard to party affiliation.

Russiagate – Obama’s Coup Against Trump?

I had little confidence in wrongs committed by D.C. official elites being rectified, but Gabbardโ€™s disclosures provides impetus for reassessment.

US Witnessing โ€˜CapEx Comebackโ€™ as Investment Wave Hits Economy: Treasury

The U.S. economy is experiencing a โ€œCapEx Comebackโ€ this year as private-sector investment soars, the Treasury Department said.

What to Know About New ‘Visa Integrity Fee’

New refundable โ€œVisa Integrity Feeโ€ for foreign nationals applying for nonimmigrant visas to enter the United States.

Oregon High School Athletes File First Amendment Lawsuit Over Podium Protest

AFPI filed lawsuit for Oregon high school athletes, alleging OSAA violated their First Amendment rights by punishing their peaceful protest of boy competing in girlsโ€™ event.

Professional Wrestling Legend, Hulk Hogan, Dies at 71

Hulk Hogan, former WWE superstar and one of the most recognizable figures in the sports entertainment industry, has died at 71 years old.

Odds of U.S.-EU Trade Deal Are 50โ€“50 Ahead of Tariff Deadline: Trump

President Donald Trump said thereโ€™s a 50โ€“50 chance that the United States will finalize a trade deal with the European Union before an Aug. 1 deadline.

Trump Pulls Habbaโ€™s Nomination for New Jerseyโ€™s Top Prosecutor, Making Her Acting US Attorney

President Trump withdrew his nomination of Alina Habba to serve as NJโ€™s top federal prosecutor, making her Acting US Attorney.

Trump Says He Wants Muskโ€™s Companies to โ€˜Thrive Like Never Beforeโ€™

On Thursday, President Trump said, โ€œI want Elon, and all businesses within our Country, to THRIVE, in fact, THRIVE like never before!โ€

DOJ Forms Strike Force to Assess DNI Findings on Russia Collusion Allegations

DOJ is forming task force following the declassification of docs that shed light on origins of false claims that Trump won 2016 election with Russiaโ€™s help.
spot_img

Related Articles