Splashback
Riverkeeper, Tribes and Fishermen put
Klamath Center Stage at Shareholders’ Meeting

Klamath Riverkeeper, tribal leaders, fishermen and conservationists returned home to California and Oregon on May 3, after disrupting Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway annual shareholders’ meeting in Omaha, Neb. Buffett is the owner of PacifiCorp, the company that operates the fish-killing dams on the Klamath. Tribes, fishermen and advocates asked sharply pointed questions to Buffett about why he refuses to agree to sign a dam removal agreement, effectively making the Klamath River the largest single issue addressed at the meeting.

A number of shareholders expressed support for dam removal advocates. “I want to thank the people who spoke at the meeting for educating the shareholders about the problems with the Klamath River dams,” said Joan Mersch, a shareholder from Menlo Park, Calif. “I think more people need to be educated about this issue. I appreciate what you’re doing.”

Now action is needed by Buffett and the shareholders to sign an agreement to remove the dams.

Klamath Dam Removal Advocates Win Major Victory in Dams Toxics Case

On March 20, Klamath Riverkeeper won a major concession from the Environmental Protection Agency on toxic algae created by PacifiCorp’s reservoirs on the Klamath River. In the wake of litigation filed by Klamath Riverkeeper, the agency reconsidered its decision to not designate the Klamath River as impaired by the toxic algae. The reservoirs created by PacifiCorp’s dams are the origin of the blooms of the toxic blue green algae microcystis aeruginosa, a liver toxin and known tumor promoter.
EPA’s announcement comes at a critical time. PacifiCorp’s dams are in the final stages of a federally mandated relicensing process. In order to get a new dam license, PacifiCorp must get a clean water certification from California and Oregon. The listing of the river as impaired by toxic algae could jeopardize PacifiCorp’s clean water certification and dam relicensing. Last year, releases of toxic algae from the reservoirs turned the river neon green during peak Klamath River fishing season and Native Tribes’ ceremonies, creating a major blow to the remote Klamath’s rural economy.

Utah Hydroelectric Project Halted

Plans to construct a Utah’s Hook Canyon Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project at Bear Lake have been nixed after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a letter in April denying the right to occupy Utah’s state park lands.
“This is the official death letter for the Hook Canyon project,” declared Jeff Salt, Executive Director and Lakekeeper for Great Salt Lakekeeper. “This determination demonstrates the power and efficacy of environmental democracy.”