[env-trinity] Important Klamath 401 Hearings -- but not in Eureka

[Greg King]

PLEASE FORWARD

Dear Friends,

PacifiCorp, owner of four salmon-killing dams on the mainstem of the  
Klamath River, is applying to the California Water Resources Control  
Board for a "401" clean water certification, required under the  
federal Clean Water Act. The shallow, warm reservoirs behind the dams  
create massive plumes of blue-green algae, which produce the highly  
toxic microcystis aeruginosa at levels that sometimes reach 4,000  
higher than the World Health Organizations considers a "moderate"  
risk to human health. The microcystis is so toxic it can actually  
kill a person.

Many of us fighting for removal of these dams consider the 401  
process one of the most powerful tools available for removing the  
four dams. How can PacifiCorp receive a "clean water" certification  
when their dams produce some of the worst water quality in the world?  
Without such certification there is a strong chance the dams would  
have to be torn down.

The Water Resources Control Board needs to hear from the public on  
this issue, both in person and in writing. Please try to attend one  
of the four upcoming "scoping" hearings on the Environmental Impact  
Report for  PacifiCorp's 401 application:

July 22nd in Sacramento (time tba)
There will be a major "friendly" rally in front of the state building  
prior and during the hearing.

July 31 in Klamath at the Yurok offices 11-1pm
July 31, in Orleans at the Karuk Department of Natural Resources, 6  
to 8 p.m.
August 1st in Yreka at the Yreka Grange 11-1 pm

Written comments should be sent to:

Ms. Dorothy Rice
Executive Director
State Water Resource Control Board
1001 I Street, 151h Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

The NEC is pressuring the state to include a hearing in Eureka. This  
would be a good thing to ask of Ms. Rice, along with a request that  
the agency deny PacifiCorp's 401 certification. The Eureka area  
contains the largest population base immediately connected to the  
Klamath basin, and should therefore be the site for a hearing on this  
critical application.

Rice's phone and email:

(916) 341-5615
drice at waterboards.ca.gov

Many thanks,

Greg King
NEC



--
Greg King
Executive Director
Northcoast Environmental Center
1465 G Street
Arcata, CA 95521
(707) 822-6918
greg at yournec.org
http://www.yournec.org



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