CalTrout’s involvement with the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement (KBRA), which attempts to bring together the groups that have long fought over the Klamath River, its water and its imperiled steelhead and salmon populations.

Recently, an idependent science panel finalized a series of reports which characterized the KBRA as a “major step forward” in restoring native Klamath fish populations, yet an article in the Los Angeles Times focused only on the panel’s reservations about issues of water quality and the complexity of the undertaking.

The press release below offers a more balanced look at Klamath Dam removal and the KBRA:
 

For Immediate Release: July 20, 2011

For more information contact:
Craig Tucker, Karuk Tribe, 916-207-8294
Glen Spain, PCFFA, 541-689-2000

Independent science panel calls Klamath Agreements a “MAJOR STEP FORWARD”

• Independent Experts Note that Success Hinges on Effectively Implementing Restoration Actions in the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement (KBRA)

• Klamath River Tribes and Commercial Fishermen Say Dam Removal Needed to Restore Livelihoods and Cultures

Yesterday, a series of independent science reports were finalized that highlight the benefits of dam removal and river restoration on Klamath fisheries. The reports emphasize that in order to fully realize the benefits offered by the pending Klamath Agreements, adequate funding and effective implementation of specific restoration measures is necessary.

“The livelihoods of Klamath tribal communities and commercial fishermen up and down the west coast depend on the restoration of fish species in the Klamath River. The scientific analysis of dam removal in these independent reports generally agrees with what our tribal scientists predict too,” said Klamath Tribal Councilman Jeff Mitchell.

The new independent scientific reports provide scientific opinions on how dam removal will affect rainbow trout, bull trout, steelhead, Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, Lost River suckers, shortnose suckers, and lamprey. In general, the experts indicate that each of these species could see major population improvements if dams are removed and restoration actions implemented.

Dam removal, under terms of the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement, has also already been confirmed to be in the best interest of public utility customers by both the Oregon and California public utility commissions (PUCs), the regulatory agencies that protect ratepayers. Those PUCs said that ratepayers’ costs would be at least half that of the other option to repair the aging dams and retrofit the structures to comply with modern safety and environmental regulations.

These scientific reports are part of a comprehensive body of information that is being compiled in a single report that will also be peer reviewed and presented to the Secretary of the Interior so he can be fully informed when making the Secretarial Determination on whether to remove the Klamath River dams, which is expected next March.

“This is very encouraging,” noted Glen Spain, representing coastal commercial salmon fishermen. “I think the panel reports show that we can indeed restore the Klamath’s fisheries and preserve local economies under the terms of the Klamath Agreements if Congress will fund it.”

Reviewers note that significant emergency funds are annually being spent on Band Aid solutions that don’t address root causes of problems. They also note that success reviving fisheries hinges, as expected, on successfully implementing the settlement Agreements.

“We know that there is more hard work in front of us than behind us. If we get the opportunity to implement plans to restore fisheries and water quality in the Klamath, we have to get it right. But we know that doing nothing will spell extinction for many of these at risk species as well as the local economies and cultures that depend on them,” said Arch Super, Chairman of the Karuk Tribe.

The Expert Panel Report highlights this point by writing, “There is much certainty that if the four dams are not removed, the Klamath Chinook salmon will continue to decline.”

Klamath River Tribes, commercial fishermen, conservation groups, farmers and ranchers worked for years on a restoration plan that would restore economically valuable fisheries while maintaining the economic viability of family farming in the Klamath Basin. Last spring these groups along with federal and state agencies and PacifiCorp signed two agreements that could lead to the largest river restoration effort in US history.

The two key components of the Agreements, removal of four aging dams and a more careful balancing of water resources between fish and farms, must be approved by Congress and the Secretary of Interior by March of 2012.

The final independent science panel reports are posted here:

Excerpts from the Expert Panel Reports

Chinook salmon

The following references can be found here:

“The Proposed Action appears to be a major step forward in conserving target fish populations compared with decades of vigorous disagreements, obvious fish passage barriers, and continued ecological degradation. The Panel concluded that a substantial increase in Chinook salmon is possible in the reach between Iron Gate Dam and Keno Dam.” (p. i)

“The Panel believes that dam removal is the greatest limiting factor precluding Chinook salmon rehabilitation. Time will also be needed for new Chinook salmon stocks to evolve to the evolving water quality conditions. Delaying dam removal seems an unwise proposal.” (p. 74)

“There is much certainty that if the four dams are not removed, the Klamath Chinook salmon will continue to decline.” (p. 69-70)

“The Proposed Action offers greater water quality potential than the Current Conditions in improving water quality for Klamath Chinook salmon.” (p. 9)

“The Proposed Action offers greater potential than the Current Conditions in reducing disease related mortality in Klamath Chinook Salmon.” (p. 12)

“The Proposed Action offers greater potential than the Current Conditions for Chinook salmon to tolerate climate change and changes in marine survival.” (p.19)

Redband/Rainbow Trout

The following references can be found here:

“Following dam removal, the abundance of redband/rainbow trout in the free-flowing reach between Keno Dam and Iron Gate Dam could increase significantly….Recreational fishing opportunities would be expected to increase in proportion to the increase in trout abundance in all areas.” (P. 77)

“Removal of the four dams downstream of Keno Dam should create significant increases in the size, abundance, and distribution of resident trout in the 45 miles of the Klamath River between Keno Dam and Iron Gate Dam.” (P. 66)

“We estimate that 43 mi of new free flowing water will be available to resident redband/rainbow trout after the removal of the four dams. This area will expand the total distribution of resident trophy trout in the fishery approximately seven times from below Keno Dam to the Iron Gate reach. This total reach should continue to produce large trout up to 23 inches.” (pp. 67-68)

“Redband/rainbow trout currently support trophy recreational fisheries in tributaries of Upper Klamath Lake, the lake itself, and in free-flowing sections of the Keno Reach between Keno Dam and J.C. Boyle Reservoir. The Proposed Action is expected to increase trout populations in all areas.” (p.77)

“Water in the Project Reach after the dams are removed will be enhanced by cold groundwater spring flow (285 cfs) located in the Bypass reach (e.g., Big Springs) (Turaski 2003; Tinniswood 2011). Water quality in the dam removal sections of the lower Klamath River would improve DO, pH, and nutrient concentrations due to KBRA implementation.” (p. 67)

“Removal of the four dams would reduce or prevent further growth of the blue-green algal blooms in the 22-23 mi (35.4-37.0 km) of slack water in the reservoirs between J.C. Boyle and Iron Gate dams (Cunanan 2009, Hamilton et al.). Water quality in the dam removal sections of the lower Klamath River would improve DO, pH, and nutrient concentrations due to KBRA implementation.” (P. 67).

Bull Trout (ESA listed)

The following references can be found here:

“The Proposed Action provides promise for preventing extinction of this species and forincreasing overall population abundance and distribution. The primary goal of actions should be the recovery and delisting of bull trout from a threatened status under the federal ESA.” (P. 77)

** Lost River and Shortnose Suckers (ESA listed)

The following references can be found here:

“Under Conditions without Dams and with KBRA, water quality conditions in Upper Klamath Lake are likely to improve particularly in restored wetlands and open water areas adjacent to wetlands so that growth and survival of the suckers in Upper Klamath Lake increases. It is also anticipated that levels of parasitism and disease will be lower with better water quality because fish will have lower stress levels and stronger immune systems.”(P. 51)

“Restoration actions under KBRA particularly in the Sprague River are substantial and should improve the quality of spawning and rearing habitat for suckers leading to higher survival and increased numbers of fish.” (P. 54)

“Water quality conditions in Keno Reservoir is extremely poor particularly during the summer…hundreds of adult (Lost River suckers, shortnose suckers and Klamath Largescale suckers) have been documented in the upper portion of this reservoir where water quality is better but many die during the summer (Piaskowski 2003). Conditions are not likely to change under current management. Conditions without Dams and with KBRA, major actions are proposed to reduce nutrients and organic matter to improve water quality and habitat conditions. If water quality conditions improve, survival of suckers moving downstream from Upper Klamath Lake into Keno Reservoir should increase and then the fish may be able to migrate back to Upper Klamath Lake as sub-adults or adults and contribute to the Upper Klamath Lake populations as spawners.” (P. 52)

Steelhead Trout

The following references can be found here:

“If the KBRA is implemented effectively, improved habitat conditions are likely for steelhead. Under the Proposed Action alternative, steelhead would have access to substantial habitat that is currently inaccessible upstream of Iron Gate Dam, and KBRA will improve habitat throughout the system.” (p. 46).

“…the Proposed Action could result in increased spatial distribution and numbers of steelhead, and in the long term (decades), increased numbers relative to those under Current Conditions. If the Proposed Action is implemented ineffectively, there may be no detectable response of steelhead. If the Proposed Action is implemented effectively, and the other related actions occur [e.g.,Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)], then the response of steelhead may be broader.”

“…spatial distribution and increased numbers of individuals within the Klamath system.” (P.ii)

“The extent of new habitat for coho and steelhead upstream of Upper Klamath Lake will depend on the success of these fish to travel through the lake and establish populations in the tributaries. Thus, it will depend on the success of KBRA restoration activities.” ( p. 29)

“Under the Proposed Action alternative, newly established populations of coho salmon and steelhead upstream of Iron Gate Dam should help spread the risk in the long-term viability of salmon and steelhead in the face of the continuing stresses from land and water resource use in the upper basin and climate change. This might be particularly applicable to populations in the upper Klamath basin, where groundwater-dominated refuges might allow persistence in thermally suitable habitats in spite of expected warming.” (PP. 42-43)

“These benefits will be greatest for steelhead, assuming they are able to successfully colonize the spring-fed stream systems upstream of Upper Klamath Lake. Benefits for coho salmon will depend on the success of establishing productive coho salmon populations in these colder upper-basin habitats.” (P. 43)

Coho salmon (ESA listed)

The following references can be found here:

“Benefits for coho salmon will depend on the success of establishing productive coho salmon populations in these colder upper-basin habitats. The highest probability of success will be within the known historical range of coho salmon where cold-water habitats can be rehabilitated or maintained, such as the lower reach of Spencer Creek.”(P. 44)

“Establishment of coho salmon above Upper Klamath Lake is much less certain, but if attained, would be a significant contribution to the spatial diversity and suite of life history options available to Klamath Basin coho populations (Lestelle 2006).” (P. 44)

“Restoration of streamflows in tributaries downstream of Iron Gate Dam (e.g., Shasta and Scott Rivers) will likely be essential for enabling coho salmon populations to respond to habitat improvements there, providing a potential source of colonists for the new habitats above Iron Gate Dam.” (P. 44)

“Although Current Conditions will likely continue to be detrimental to coho, the difference between the Proposed Action and Current Conditions is expected to be small, especially in the short term (0-10 years after dam removal). Larger (moderate) responses are possible under the Proposed Action if the KBRA is fully and effectively implemented and mortality caused by the pathogen C. shasta is reduced. (p. ii)

“Large-scale restoration, such as the Proposed Action alternative, have great potential for benefiting the targeted species, but can also easily become ineffective due to the complexities of the plan and the ecosystem.” (P.71)

“A scientific advisory structure could be implemented at the beginning of the planning process to advise continually on effective and timely adaptation of KBRA mitigation and restoration activities in response to monitoring and experimental results, to identify ineffective and counterproductive activities, and to recommend new ideas and maintaining and fine-tuning activities that prove effective. (P.71)

“Access to habitat between Iron Gate and Keno Dams will allow for a small increase in coho and potentially larger increases in steelhead populations. If both upstream and downstream passage through Keno Reservoir and Upper Klamath Lake are successful, then access to upstream habitat (above Upper Klamath Lake) could increase the abundance of steelhead (possibly substantially) and coho salmon if fish utilize the new habitat and can successfully complete their life cycles.” (P.40)

“The Panel believes that the qualitative estimates of positive population responses for both coho (small because less likely to recolonize above Upper Klamath Lake) and steelhead (possibly substantial if recolonization occurs above Upper Klamath Lake) are reasonable, but information is currently insufficient for providing quantitative estimates.” (P. 40)

Pacific Lamprey

The following references can be found here:

“Pacific lampreys are currently extirpated above Iron Gate Dam; they are unable to pass the dam and the confirmed upstream limit in the mainstem Klamath River is Bogus Creek….an additional 69 miles of Pacific lamprey habitat will be opened up by removal of the four lower Klamath River dams.” (P. 29)

“The most promising reaches for lamprey use lie between the J.C. Boyle powerhouse and Caldera rapids and in the low-gradient reach currently inundated by Copco Reservoir.” (pp. 28-29)

“Under the Condition without Dams and with the KBRA Alternative, increases in dissolved oxygen levels are expected to improve habitat productivity for Pacific and other Klamath River Basin lamprey species.” (P. 36).

“Although the Panel does not know to what extent Pacific lamprey would use the available habitat upstream of Keno Dam, the KBRA is expected to increase habitat productivity for the freshwater-resident lamprey species.” (P. 38)

S. Craig Tucker
Klamath Coordinator
Karuk Tribe
cell: 916-207-8294
home office: 707-839-1982

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