California’s largest newspapers continue to favor the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement (KBRA); this time the LA Times cites the benefits of removal of the four lowest Klamath River dams.
Environmental reviews and a number of separate technical studies concluded the project would open more than 400 miles of upstream habitat for steelhead. It would also increase the annual median production of adult Chinook in the Klamath basin by 81% and the median commercial and sport ocean catch of Chinook by 46%. Combined with restoration efforts, the removal would improve water quality, reduce fish disease and create more than 5,000 jobs, according to the reports, which estimated the cost of dam demolition at $291.6 million.
Environmental reviews and a number of separate technical studies concluded the project would open more than 400 miles of upstream habitat for steelhead. It would also increase the annual median production of adult Chinook in the Klamath basin by 81% and the median commercial and sport ocean catch of Chinook by 46%.
Combined with restoration efforts, the removal would improve water quality, reduce fish disease and create more than 5,000 jobs, according to the reports, which estimated the cost of dam demolition at $291.6 million.
With a decision to remove (or try to retain) the dams due from the Department of Interior next March, this issue will likely continue to grab headlines.
