Rep. Mike Thompson Applauds Klamath River Study Results, Welcomes Salazar's Reemphasis of Agreements
September 21, 2011
Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) today applauded the positive findings in a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) released by the Department of Interior, and comments made earlier this week by Interior Secretary Salazar. The Secretary will use this DEIS to make his final determination in March of 2012 as to whether or not removal of four Klamath River dams in accordance with the Klamath Restoration Agreements are in the public interest.
“I am pleased to see the dam removal project moving forward and I was happy to hear Secretary Salazar reemphasize his support for the monumental agreements to restore the Klamath River basin and its salmon fisheries,” said Rep. Thompson. “My support has been unwavering to see agreements in place that represent the best way forward for all of our river basin communities. Under the agreements, where dams along the river are removed, we will strengthen our river basin and our economy - not only will we restore salmon habitats, we will create more than 4,600 jobs.”
In a review comparing the impacts of river restoration to current conditions, the DEIS shows that implementation of the Agreements would provide significant economic, environmental, social and cultural benefits to Northern California and Southern Oregon. One of the key findings stakeholders applauded is that the projected cost of removing four dams on the Klamath River falls well within the range of the budget agreed to by Tribes, irrigators, fishermen, and dam owner PacifiCorp.
Portions of the Agreements include reintroducing salmon to more than 400 miles of historic habitat, increasing water storage and flood control by expanding Upper Klamath Lake, and improved water security for 1,400 farm families on the Klamath Irrigation Project.
The DEIS makes several key findings that proponents of the Agreements hope will prompt Congress to pass the legislation necessary for implementation. Stakeholders emphasize the economic and health benefits, cost savings, and jobs creation that the restoration plan includes.
Combined, the Settlement Agreements invest more than $700 million in the Klamath Basin over the next 15 years. The restoration plan also protects and enhances a regional natural resource that is worth over $750 million a year to the local economy when healthy.
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 1st Congressional District, which includes the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, and Yolo. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and sits on the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
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“I am pleased to see the dam removal project moving forward and I was happy to hear Secretary Salazar reemphasize his support for the monumental agreements to restore the Klamath River basin and its salmon fisheries,” said Rep. Thompson. “My support has been unwavering to see agreements in place that represent the best way forward for all of our river basin communities. Under the agreements, where dams along the river are removed, we will strengthen our river basin and our economy - not only will we restore salmon habitats, we will create more than 4,600 jobs.”
In a review comparing the impacts of river restoration to current conditions, the DEIS shows that implementation of the Agreements would provide significant economic, environmental, social and cultural benefits to Northern California and Southern Oregon. One of the key findings stakeholders applauded is that the projected cost of removing four dams on the Klamath River falls well within the range of the budget agreed to by Tribes, irrigators, fishermen, and dam owner PacifiCorp.
Portions of the Agreements include reintroducing salmon to more than 400 miles of historic habitat, increasing water storage and flood control by expanding Upper Klamath Lake, and improved water security for 1,400 farm families on the Klamath Irrigation Project.
The DEIS makes several key findings that proponents of the Agreements hope will prompt Congress to pass the legislation necessary for implementation. Stakeholders emphasize the economic and health benefits, cost savings, and jobs creation that the restoration plan includes.
Combined, the Settlement Agreements invest more than $700 million in the Klamath Basin over the next 15 years. The restoration plan also protects and enhances a regional natural resource that is worth over $750 million a year to the local economy when healthy.
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 1st Congressional District, which includes the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, and Yolo. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and sits on the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
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