GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) — In the first test of the landmark agreement to remove dams from the Klamath River, PacifiCorp has filed notice it was not properly consulted by federal agencies before they cut river flows this winter.
The Portland-based utility warned in a letter Tuesday that they feel the reduced flows will cut their power production below levels set out in the dam-removal agreement.
PacifiCorp spokesman Art Sasse (SASS-ee) says they feel confident the issues can be worked out. But if these flow reductions stay in place, the economic losses will delay the 2020 target date for removing the dams.
The agencies have ordered river flows reduced to build up lagging reservoir storage so there will be enough water for salmon as well as farmers next spring.
