Publish to Newswire
Add an EventFrom the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature
Klamath Tribes, Fishermen and Riverkeeper petition California for relief from toxic algae
This quote from Regina Chichizola, Klamath Riverkeeper, sums up the reason for the petition that dam removal advocates filed with the California Water Resources Control Board today: "The only thing green about the Klamath dams is the toxic algae scum in their reservoirs.”
NEWS RELEASE: For immediate release: May 10th, 2007
Contacts:
Regina Chichizola, Klamath Riverkeeper: 530-627-3280
Craig Tucker, Karuk Tribe: 530 627-3446 ext 3027
Glen Spain (PCFFA): 541-689-2000 (office) or 541-521-8655 (cell)
Rebuked by Buffett: Klamath Tribes, Fishermen and Riverkeeper petition California for relief from PacifiCorp toxin pollution.
Sacramento, CA: In an uncharacteristic deferral to regulators, billionaire Warren Buffer passed the buck last week to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and state agencies for the toxic pollution his subsidiary PacifiCorp creates in the Klamath River. Today, Klamath River Tribes, fishermen and environmental groups petitioned the California’ Water Resources Control Board to declare PacifiCorp a polluter, requiring the company to get a permit for toxic algae blooms proliferating in the river as a result of dams run by the utility.
“PacifiCorp’s dams and the toxins they cause are making the Klamath River unsafe for tribal members that use the river for religious ceremonies and subsistence fishing, yet the state of California has yet to declare PacifiCorp a polluter, or regulate them,” said Craig Tucker with the Karuk Tribe. “We hope California will protect Klamath residents from PacifiCorp’s pollution, as we know they are deeply committed to removing the Klamath dams and protecting salmon.”
The blooms generate the highly dangerous liver toxin, microcystin, a serious human health hazard, which can cause fatal liver damage, particularly in children, in concentrations now routinely observed in the Klamath. California public health officials have posted unsafe water warnings along the Klamath, alerting residents not to have contact with the water. Microcystin can also accumulate in the livers of many fish, particularly salmon. Attorneys Robert Kennedy and Joe Cotchett have filed a nuisance suit against PacifiCorp on behalf of local fishermen, tribal leaders and businessmen, whose livelihoods and culture have been destroyed by the dams.
When confronted with the facts of this case in an emotional plea by Klamath residents at his shareholders meeting, the normally polished Buffett fumbled through papers to read a written response. Even Forbes magazine commented: “It would have been more heroic to agree to meet with the people affected and to put his weight behind a fair and proper solution.” (http://www.forbes.com/opinions/2007/05/05/berkshire-annual-meeting-oped-cz_bl_0505buffett.html)
The petition submitted by the Karuk Tribe, Klamath Riverkeeper, the Institute for Fisheries Resources and the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen claims that PacifiCorp fits the California State Water Resources definition of a polluter because concentrations of toxic algae created and released at their dams have been recently been recorded in concentrations up to 4,000 times the level considered safe for contact by the World Heath Organization. Further, the petition provides proof that PacifiCorp has known about the hazard for at least seven years, according to the utility’s own records, but did not notify public health officials, local residents or the public until local tribes conducted their own tests.
The groups contend that for at least the last two years concentrations of toxic algae have been way over safe levels, which has hurt not only tribes and fishermen, but also the local economy.
“These dams are an ongoing disaster for the Klamath River and its vitally important salmon fisheries,” noted Glen Spain of PCFFA, a commercial fishing industry trade association that is one of the Co-Petitioners. “Dam operations that create toxic hazards in the Klamath River that jeopardize both fish and fishermen should not be tolerated.”
Commercial fishermen and the Tribe also cite recent economic studies by the State of California that prove the removal of PacifiCorp’s dams, which cause this toxin, is more cost effective than the mitigations required to re-license them. Meanwhile, PacifiCorp is claiming dam removal will exacerbate global warming despite the California Energy Commission’s conclusion that removing the dams will not increase greenhouse gas emissions and the state of Oregon’s refusal to count the dams as green energy.
“Out of 28 stakeholders, only one – PacifiCorp – wants the dams to stay. State and federal agencies, farmers, fishermen, tribes and environmental groups all call for the dams to come down, “said Regina Chichizola from Klamath Riverkeeper. “Mr. Buffett is getting bad advice. The only thing green about the Klamath dams is the toxic algae scum in their reservoirs.”
Photos and B-Roll available.
Regina Chichizola
Klamath Riverkeeper
P.O Box 21
Orleans, CA 95556
530 627-3280
541 951-0126
Contacts:
Regina Chichizola, Klamath Riverkeeper: 530-627-3280
Craig Tucker, Karuk Tribe: 530 627-3446 ext 3027
Glen Spain (PCFFA): 541-689-2000 (office) or 541-521-8655 (cell)
Rebuked by Buffett: Klamath Tribes, Fishermen and Riverkeeper petition California for relief from PacifiCorp toxin pollution.
Sacramento, CA: In an uncharacteristic deferral to regulators, billionaire Warren Buffer passed the buck last week to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and state agencies for the toxic pollution his subsidiary PacifiCorp creates in the Klamath River. Today, Klamath River Tribes, fishermen and environmental groups petitioned the California’ Water Resources Control Board to declare PacifiCorp a polluter, requiring the company to get a permit for toxic algae blooms proliferating in the river as a result of dams run by the utility.
“PacifiCorp’s dams and the toxins they cause are making the Klamath River unsafe for tribal members that use the river for religious ceremonies and subsistence fishing, yet the state of California has yet to declare PacifiCorp a polluter, or regulate them,” said Craig Tucker with the Karuk Tribe. “We hope California will protect Klamath residents from PacifiCorp’s pollution, as we know they are deeply committed to removing the Klamath dams and protecting salmon.”
The blooms generate the highly dangerous liver toxin, microcystin, a serious human health hazard, which can cause fatal liver damage, particularly in children, in concentrations now routinely observed in the Klamath. California public health officials have posted unsafe water warnings along the Klamath, alerting residents not to have contact with the water. Microcystin can also accumulate in the livers of many fish, particularly salmon. Attorneys Robert Kennedy and Joe Cotchett have filed a nuisance suit against PacifiCorp on behalf of local fishermen, tribal leaders and businessmen, whose livelihoods and culture have been destroyed by the dams.
When confronted with the facts of this case in an emotional plea by Klamath residents at his shareholders meeting, the normally polished Buffett fumbled through papers to read a written response. Even Forbes magazine commented: “It would have been more heroic to agree to meet with the people affected and to put his weight behind a fair and proper solution.” (http://www.forbes.com/opinions/2007/05/05/berkshire-annual-meeting-oped-cz_bl_0505buffett.html)
The petition submitted by the Karuk Tribe, Klamath Riverkeeper, the Institute for Fisheries Resources and the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen claims that PacifiCorp fits the California State Water Resources definition of a polluter because concentrations of toxic algae created and released at their dams have been recently been recorded in concentrations up to 4,000 times the level considered safe for contact by the World Heath Organization. Further, the petition provides proof that PacifiCorp has known about the hazard for at least seven years, according to the utility’s own records, but did not notify public health officials, local residents or the public until local tribes conducted their own tests.
The groups contend that for at least the last two years concentrations of toxic algae have been way over safe levels, which has hurt not only tribes and fishermen, but also the local economy.
“These dams are an ongoing disaster for the Klamath River and its vitally important salmon fisheries,” noted Glen Spain of PCFFA, a commercial fishing industry trade association that is one of the Co-Petitioners. “Dam operations that create toxic hazards in the Klamath River that jeopardize both fish and fishermen should not be tolerated.”
Commercial fishermen and the Tribe also cite recent economic studies by the State of California that prove the removal of PacifiCorp’s dams, which cause this toxin, is more cost effective than the mitigations required to re-license them. Meanwhile, PacifiCorp is claiming dam removal will exacerbate global warming despite the California Energy Commission’s conclusion that removing the dams will not increase greenhouse gas emissions and the state of Oregon’s refusal to count the dams as green energy.
“Out of 28 stakeholders, only one – PacifiCorp – wants the dams to stay. State and federal agencies, farmers, fishermen, tribes and environmental groups all call for the dams to come down, “said Regina Chichizola from Klamath Riverkeeper. “Mr. Buffett is getting bad advice. The only thing green about the Klamath dams is the toxic algae scum in their reservoirs.”
Photos and B-Roll available.
Regina Chichizola
Klamath Riverkeeper
P.O Box 21
Orleans, CA 95556
530 627-3280
541 951-0126
Add Your Comments
Comments
(Hide Comments)
The dams in question have been in place since the mid to late 50's. Where has this toxic aglae been for the last 50+ years. The answer lie not so much in the dams as it does in the fact that each year more and more water is diverted out of the river system.
Have the dams been the single source of the downfall of the salmon in the klamath River? I think not.
The fish return numbers suggest that overfishing has had it's toll on fish returns.
This is just a little rambling from someone who understands the electricl energy system better than most.
The last dam on the Klamath River is J.C. Boyle, after which the river passes through 80+ river miles to the ocean. The only time the river temperatures are cool is in the early spring when snowmelt cools the water. This is a good time for spring retun fish. TDuring te rest of the year the Klamath pass through county where the sun bakes the country side and tempertures run in the 90's and 100's on a regular basis heating the water as it goes. Perhapse that is why the fish hang out at the last part of the river and don't travel up stream.
Agriculture return water is added to the system along much of it's route, making a prime breading ground for algae. In addition aggricultural demands have cut back on t he amount of water in the system.
So one really needs to add up less water getting downstream, overfishing, dams preventing upstream migration, natural warming of the water in the summer, and guess what? salmon numbers drop off. Is it all the fault of the dam?
Hydro power is the best firm or dependable "renewable" energy resource that we currently have for meeting peak energy demands. Wind comes and goes when it will, load demands don't. Steam plants can not react fast enough to meet rapidly changing loads. Bio-mass, co-gen, Coal, and natural gas plants all have at least the issue of CO2 to deal with. The only other proven generation source after that is nuclear power, and there people have an irrational fear about not in my backyard, when the real issue is what to do with the spent fuel.
Well thanks for the chance to ramble.
Have the dams been the single source of the downfall of the salmon in the klamath River? I think not.
The fish return numbers suggest that overfishing has had it's toll on fish returns.
This is just a little rambling from someone who understands the electricl energy system better than most.
The last dam on the Klamath River is J.C. Boyle, after which the river passes through 80+ river miles to the ocean. The only time the river temperatures are cool is in the early spring when snowmelt cools the water. This is a good time for spring retun fish. TDuring te rest of the year the Klamath pass through county where the sun bakes the country side and tempertures run in the 90's and 100's on a regular basis heating the water as it goes. Perhapse that is why the fish hang out at the last part of the river and don't travel up stream.
Agriculture return water is added to the system along much of it's route, making a prime breading ground for algae. In addition aggricultural demands have cut back on t he amount of water in the system.
So one really needs to add up less water getting downstream, overfishing, dams preventing upstream migration, natural warming of the water in the summer, and guess what? salmon numbers drop off. Is it all the fault of the dam?
Hydro power is the best firm or dependable "renewable" energy resource that we currently have for meeting peak energy demands. Wind comes and goes when it will, load demands don't. Steam plants can not react fast enough to meet rapidly changing loads. Bio-mass, co-gen, Coal, and natural gas plants all have at least the issue of CO2 to deal with. The only other proven generation source after that is nuclear power, and there people have an irrational fear about not in my backyard, when the real issue is what to do with the spent fuel.
Well thanks for the chance to ramble.
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!
Donate
$190.00 donated
in the past month
Get Involved
If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.
Publish
Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.
Topics
More
Search Indybay's Archives
Advanced Search
►
▼
IMC Network