For the past several years, Klamath Basin Tribes, fishermen and conservationists have appealed to Pacific Corp, the owner and operator of the Klamath River dams, to remove their dams to restore salmon populations. The urgency of removing these dams became most apparent this spring when the Bush administration proposed a complete closure of all recreational and commercial salmon fishing along the California and Oregon coast, due to projected low Klamath chinook returns resulting from fish kills of adult and juvenile salmon.

The Tribes, fishermen and conservationists argue that the dams deny salmon access to over 350 miles of historic spawning habitat, heat the river to temperatures lethal to salmon and provide habitat for massive blooms of toxic blue algae. “The negative impacts of these dams clearly justify their removal,” stated Howard MConnnell, Chairman of the Yurok Tribe.

Since the Tribes and their allies first flew to Scotland in 2004 and 2005 to urge the owner of PacifiCorp, Scottish Power, to decommission their dams and provide for fish passage, a number of key developments have transpired.

First, Berkshire-Hathaway, a company owned by Billionaire Warren Buffett, recently bought PacifiCorp after Scottish Power was targeted by the Tribes' campaign.

Second, PacifiCorp 's new management, under pressure from the campaign, is starting to listen - and indicated a willingess to give up the Lower Klamath River Dams if its customers are protected.

On August 2, PacifiCorp Energy President William Fehrman released a statement that concluded by stating, “We have heard the Tribes' concerns, we are not opposed to dam removal or other settlement opportunities as long as our customers are not harmed and our property rights are respected.”

Third, an independent poll conducted by Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin and Associates revealed that PacifiCorp ratepayers, who make up roughly one third of the Oregon electorate, support the idea of removing PacifiCorp’s even more strongly than the overall electorate, with 52 percent in favor of dam removal.

Fourth, recreational anglers, commercial fishermen, Tribes and conservationists have shown unprecedented unity by organizing rallies in Portland, Santa Rosa and Sacramento this year urging PacifiCorp to bring the dams down and calling upon the federal government to fix the water problems on the Klamath.

Now anglers and their allies can help restore the Klamath River by participating in an email letter campaign, sponsored by the American Sportfishing Association, targeted to Congress and to Warren Buffett, the new owner of PacifiCorp. 

“The objective is to generate political pressure for the removal of the four dams on the Klamath that are blocking the salmon runs,” said Dick Pool, board member of ASA. “This presents an opportunity for our state and federal governments to reach a settlement that will restore over 300 miles of this river system while at the same time accommodating PacifiCorp and its ratepayers,”    

For the first time in fifty years, this nation has the opportunity to restore the Klamath River salmon populations. By decommissioning and removing the four most seaward dams on the Klamath River it will be possible to restore the salmon populations that are now in a state of collapse. PacifiCorp, which owns the four dams, must renew its 50-year Federal Energy Regulatory Commission licenses for Iron Gate, Copco 1 and 2, and J.C. Boyle dams.

The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) said it supports the efforts of the California and Oregon state governments, federal government, Klamath Basin Indian Tribes, recreational fishermen, commercial fishermen and other affected parties to reach an “equitable settlement that will both restore the river and protect the interests of PacifiCorp and its ratepayers.”

ASA will continue to work with national and local groups to take advantage of this historic opportunity. Along with ASA, groups supporting the effort include the American Fly Fishing Trade Association, American Fisheries Society, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Berkley Conservation Institute, Coastal Conservation Association, Federation of Fly Fishers, International Game Fish Association, Izaak Walton League, National Marine Manufacturers Association, Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association and Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.

Bob Franko, president of the Coastside Fishing Club, and John Beuttler, conservation director of the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance, have also sent out action alerts to members of their organizations urging them to support the ASA’s letter writing campaign.

“This is the same system we used to get the Congress and the White House to overrule the Department of Commerce in April and reinstall the California sportfishing salmon season,” said Pool. “In a little over three weeks we generated more than 9,000 letters. The Calif. Dept of Fish and Game predicts there will be no improvement in this year's Klamath runs.  We are facing continued severe ocean salmon restrictions in the next few years.  Our best hope is to get these dams removed at an early date so the river can be restored. “  

This action alert is easy and only takes a few mouse clicks.  Log onto http://www.asafishing.org and click on policy alert in the upper right corner. Then click on “Berkshire Hathaway” or “Congress” to send a letter.

Pool also encouraged anglers to participate in a similar email letter program that covers the Delta area and many other water issues relating to fish.  It asks fishermen to sign the petition and send email letters to Congress, the Governor and the Legislature. 

Please log onto http://www.Water4Fish.org and review the program.  The petition letter will be activated in the near future.