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Chico E-R Editorial: Fish, rivers win two long battles

Posted by: Maven on October 2, 2009 at 7:28 am

From the Chico Enterprise-Record:

“Our [Chico E-R] view: Removing dams can be a good thing. So can building dams. People need to be flexible about both ideas.

In California’s contentious battles over water, it was a good week for the environment.

Rivers and fish won a couple of protracted fights. At the top of the state, a deal was cut to remove four hydroelectric dams along the Klamath River. In the lower half of the state, more water started flowing from a dam east of Fresno that eventually will restore year-round flows — and hopefully salmon — to the San Joaquin River.

Both developments are remarkable, and the byproduct of years of negotiation. Power companies, environmental groups, fishermen, and farmers and other water users all seem to want something different.

In the Klamath River case, they all compromised and gave up a little to reach an agreement. In the San Joaquin River case, there also was compromise — after a firm kick from a federal judge who said it needed to get done.

The Klamath River salmon run was once legendary. Now it’s in shambles. There are a few hurdles to go, and about 10 years before work begins, but once the four dams in California and Oregon are removed, it will open about 300 more miles of the river to spawning salmon and steelhead. …”

Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record by clicking here.

October 2, 2009 · Filed Under Storage and supply, Wildlife & Endangered Species

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