Take Action

If you would like to support removal of the lower four Klamath dams, please file a comment with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). To file a short comment (less than 6,000 characters long) as a citizen representing only yourself, use FERC’s eComment system.

Step 1

Type up your comments in your favorite word processing application and make sure what you’ve written is less than 6,000 characters long (about 2 pages or less). To help get you started we prepared a draft comment letter here.

Step 2

Click on FERC’s eComment system. Fill in the online form with your contact information.

Step 3

Check your inbox for an email from FERC. Click the link in that email to go back to FERC. Now you can add the project number you are commenting on. The Klamath Dam removal project has two numbers: P-14803-001 and P-2082-063. Enter these one at a time into the appropriate “search” field. Tell it to search. When it presents the project number, click it to add to your comment. Then in the comment field copy and paste your comment.

Step 4

Hit submit.

You’re all set! Thanks!

To file on behalf of a company, agency, organization, association, or other non-individual OR if you are an individual with comments over 6,000 characters long, you must use the Commission’s eFiling system.

The eFiling system requires that you have an unrestricted eRegister account. Follow the link and directions to file your comment.

Note: It makes no difference which system - eComments or eFiling - you use to submit comments. All comments submitted under either option are placed in the official record for the specified docket or project number(s).

Sample Letter

It’s always great to personalize your letter to public officials, but some key points you may want to include in your comments to FERC are below.

RE: Docket numbers P-14803-001 and P-2082-063

To Whom It May Concern:

I care deeply about the Klamath River, its fisheries, and all the communities that depend it.

The Draft EIS represents a robust analysis of the relevant factors associated with the project. The staff conclusions are fair, sounds, and reflect a strong understanding of the best available information.

These dams block hundreds of miles of historical salmon and steelhead habitat. In recent years, the Klamath River suffered record low runs of salmon leading to lost opportunities for commercial, recreational, and tribal fishermen. This is a severe blow to struggling rural economies in Northern California and Southern Oregon. In recent years, weak runs of Klamath salmon led to fishing closures along most of the California and Oregon coasts and in the Klamath River.

The dams create conditions that produce massive blooms of toxic algae in their reservoirs, posing health risks to wildlife and humans. Below the dams, poor water conditions lead to outbreaks of fish disease in migrating salmon. Peer-reviewed studies show that dam removal will dramatically improve water quality and fish health.

Poor water quality and declines in fisheries have a devastating impact on Klamath River tribes who rely on subsistence fishing to feed their families.

With salmon populations trending towards extinction, it’s time to allow the Klamath River Renewal Corporation and PacifiCorp to implement the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement and un-dam the Klamath River. I whole heartedly support the staff recommendation to carry out the removal of the lower four Klamath River dams.

My only criticism is it is not happening quickly enough. Klamath River fisheries are at risk. Coho salmon and Spring Chinook are at immediately risk of extinction and fall Chinook are in numbers nearly unfishable. We must act immediately.

Please expedite this process to un-dam the Klamath and bring our salmon home as soon as possible.