The Federal Energy Regulatory Committee has issued its draft environmental impact statement which is big hurdle moving klamath river dam removal project one step closer to fruition. There is currently a comment period open until April 18th.

As a fellow river lover, and perhaps a client of our who has fished the Klamath River system and knows the benefits dam removal with bring, please take a minute to comment in support of dam removal and urge FERC to allow KRRC to move forward ASAP with the proposed action with staff recommendations.

Here’s how to submit your comment ⬇️

Write your comment, less the 600 words in a word processor.
Click on FERC’s eComment system. Fill in the simple online form with your contact information.
Check your inbox for an email from FERC. Click the link in that email to go back to FERC. Now you can add the project number you are commenting on.
The Klamath Dam removal project has two numbers: P-14803-001 and P-2082-063.
Enter these one at a time into the appropriate “search” field. Tell it to search. When it presents the project number, click it to add to your comment. Then in the comment field copy and paste your comment.
Hit “Submit,” and you are done!

Here is an example and comment I submitted…

To Whom it may concern,

The Klamath River needs dam removal as urgently and as expeditiously as possible. It is clear the dams create poor water quality, harmful algae blooms, lead to outbreaks of fish disease, block spawning habitat and contribute to declining anadromous fish numbers and economic opportunity for local economies. The proposed action with staff modifications clearly show the potential for improvements across the board for this ailing river. The Klamath is by all accounts an exceptional river, but its ecologic and economic potential are simply being hamstrung by the effects of the four lower dams and their associated reservoirs.

As a fly fishing guide within, upriver and below the project reaches, I know and have come to know this river intimately, plying its waters and running my business here year round. It is as resilient and productive a river as I have ever encountered, even in it diminished state, but it is primed and ready to be set free again, unyoked to realize it full potential again. I believe, and studies show dam removal will improve the state of the river, it’s fish, people and the local economy across the board.

Also as an affected outfitter of the dam removal project and a member of the recreation stakeholder group providing input on the recreation plan, I appreciate and support the staff conclusions and recommendations in the draft EIS and urge that they be adopted, particularly the modifications to:

The recreation facilities plan to include the development of recreation sites and
Consulting with upper Klamath outfitters to schedule construction activities and access restrictions to minimize adverse affects on boating.

I fully support dam removal and license surrender, with staff recommendations and again urge expediency. With yet another summer drought ahead there is no time to waste for the Klamath, it’s fish and its people.

Brandon Worthington

Worthington Fly Fishing