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<H1 style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><FONT face=Tahoma size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">A framework for dam
removal<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"
/><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></B></H1>
<P class=MsoNormal><B><FONT face=Tahoma size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">The
Times-Standard, 11/22/2008<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><B><FONT face=Tahoma size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">By Jill
Geist<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><BR><!--subtitle--><!--byline-->Since 2004, 26 diverse
parties known as the Klamath Settlement Group have worked to develop the Klamath
Basin Restoration Agreement (KBRA) built around the simple premise that removal
of the four dams preventing fish from reaching 300 miles of habitat is key to
the recovery of the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on">Klamath
River</st1:place> and her fisheries. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">Groups supporting the KBRA understand that there are
several ways to work towards Klamath Dam removal. A number of <st1:place
w:st="on">Klamath River</st1:place> advocates working towards dam removal are
using a variety of approaches, including the regulatory processes such as FERC
relicensing, and the water quality 401 certification processes. There is no one
'right pathway' to achieve dam removal, although it bears noting that FERC has
never successfully ordered a dam removal nor has a state water board. To date,
the only successful dam removal efforts were the product of a negotiated
settlement. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">What is unique about this group's approach is the scope,
detail and commitment by federal, state, tribal, local government, fishermen's
groups, agricultural, conservation organizations and PacifiCorp to work not only
toward dam removal, but a more comprehensive restoration plan that at the same
time provides economic benefits to all of the basin's rural communities. This
marks a significant departure from the past where groups used litigation as the
primary tool to affect change with little progress made by either side.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">The settlement agreement group has focused primarily on
the resources and management of the <st1:place w:st="on">Klamath
River</st1:place> until we had conceptual dam removal agreement from PacifiCorp.
There has been a tremendous amount of cynicism, skepticism and even hope by
various outside parties that we would fail. But because we are committed to
seizing this unique opportunity for <st1:place w:st="on">Klamath
River</st1:place> restoration we have developed understandings of differing
views, worked toward providing assurances where uncertainty exists and found
points of agreement. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">As readers will recall, the settlement group released a
draft KBRA for public review in January 2008, and that a sub-committee was
engaged with PacifiCorp regarding conceptual agreement for removal of four
Klamath dams. Parallel discussions were also held between federal, state and
PacifiCorp representatives in an effort to break through the dam removal
stalemate. These discussions resulted in an Agreement in Principle for the
removal of 4 <st1:place w:st="on">Klamath River</st1:place> dams by 2020. The
Agreements in Principle (AIP) are largely consistent with the draft KBRA
principles and provisions. The AIP was presented to the group, and we now
possess an agreement that recognizes and relies upon our initiative to
coordinate and develop the final agreement. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">At first blush, the AIP contains language that could be
construed as troublesome, but it is important to recognize that it provides the
framework for removal of four dams, and that the onus is placed on settlement
group members to solve these problems, work around constraints, recognize
'off-ramps' and work towards finalizing a comprehensive final agreement that the
majority of parties can accept. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">The Klamath Settlement Group will meet soon to further
evaluate the AIP for consistency with the draft KBRA, establish a work plan for
development of the hydropower chapter and further revise and refine the existing
draft KBRA agreement, with a final agreement target date of June 2009.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">Jill Geist is <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Humboldt</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>'s 5th District supervisor.
#</SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><A href=""><FONT color=black><SPAN
style="COLOR: windowtext">http://www.times-standard.com/ci_11049853?IADID=Search-www.times-standard.com-www.times-standard.com</SPAN></FONT></A>
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