http://www.heraldandnews.com/articles/2004/06/16/news/top_stories/top1.txt

Should Chiloquin dam go?

Wednesday, June 16, 2004 4:05 PM PDT

BIA seeks public comment

Published June 16, 2004

By DYLAN DARLING

The Bureau of Indian Affairs will hold a public meeting tonight in Chiloquin to collect information about the proposed removal of Chiloquin Dam on the Sprague River.

The meeting will be from 7 to 9 p.m. in the auditorium of the Klamath Tribes administration building.

Many in and out of the Klamath Basin have called for the removal of the dam, and the BIA is evaluating that option along with others to improve the passage of endangered sucker fish over the dam.

Last year, a group of federal officials and stakeholders recommended that the dam, said to block 70 miles of fish habitat, be removed. President Bush set aside $2.1 million in his fiscal 2005 budget for its removal.

"Dam removal continues to be the preferred alternative," said Doug Tedrick, the BIA's chief range conservationist.

But the BIA must evaluate all passage options for the suckers, and wants to hear what the public has to say.

Oral public comments may be given at the meeting, during which officials will explain the options and discuss research conducted so far. Written comments must be submitted by July 16.

The recommendation for the dam should come out in December, officials said.

For more information, call June Boyton, BIA regional environmental protection specialist, at (503) 231-6749. Written comments should be sent to Boyton at BIA, Northwest Regional Office, 911 NE 11th Ave., Portland, OR 97232 or faxed to (503) 231-6701.