Klamath Dams Certified for Removal
On April 7, 2020, the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) issued its Clean Water Act Section 401 water quality certification for the removal of the Lower Klamath Project (Copco-1, Copco-2, and Iron Gate Dam). This means that the dam removal project complies with applicable state water quality standards and will continue forward.
“This 401 certification represents a historic opportunity to revive one of the west coast’s most prolific salmon and steelhead runs, and we plan to see it through,” says Curtis Knight, CalTrout’s Executive Director.
Before issuing the certification, the project passed a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) analysis which identified potential environmental impacts resulting from the project as well as measures to avoid, mitigate, or offset those effects.
The 401 certification is a federally mandated, state-level permit needed to proceed with dam removal. the project has already received the required 401 permit from the state of Oregon, where a fourth dam J.C. Boyle, is also slated for removal.
CalTrout will continue working with the Klamath River Renewal Corporation to push forward the removal of the Klamath Dams.
Check out the Klamath Dam Removal Project Frequently Asked Questions document for more information.
