FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Link River Dam Shuts Down For Summer and Fall Months

Temporary Halt in Hydroelectric Operations Comes After Deal Struck to Benefit Fish

Deal inked in April 2008 goes into effect as endangered fish in Upper Klamath Lake receive protection from hydroelectric operations during migration.

Hydroelectric operations at Link River Dam in Klamath Falls, Oregon halted earlier this week as part of a previously reached agreement between dam operator PacifiCorp and the conservation group Oregon Wild. The seasonal shut down in power production will last until November 15, 2008 and will provide better protection for native fish species as they migrate to the southern part of Upper Klamath Lake.

“It’s really rewarding to see this deal put into action,” said Steve Pedery, Conservation Director with Oregon Wild. “The fish are the real beneficiaries here and now that power production has been temporarily shut down, they will be safe in Upper Klamath Lake.”

“We think this is a model settlement for the community, our customers and for fish,” said PacifiCorp Energy President Rob Lasich  “It’s a common-sense, rational approach to balancing the energy needs of our customers with the environmental needs of the basin – and we did it with good faith negotiations as opposed to litigation.”

As the turbines shut down this week, Oregon Wild representatives are investigating several exciting restoration projects around the lake. Funding for these projects will come in part from proceeds generated from dam operations during the course of the year. Twenty-two percent of Link River Dam revenue will be paid into a fund to support enhancement projects—such as wetland restoration—for endangered fish. Wetland restoration of this kind results in cleaner water throughout the Klamath Basin.

The agreement is expected to provide hundreds of thousands of dollars for this restoration work.

“With so much good work to be done to benefit fish, we think this pot of money can make a big difference around the Upper Basin,” said Ani Kame’enui, Klamath Campaign Coordinator with Oregon Wild.

Oregon Wild and PacifiCorp anticipate that this agreement will remain in effect pending the completion of the FERC relicensing of the Klamath Project.

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