November 17, 2022 11:00 a.m.

On Thursday, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission unanimously approved the surrender of the Lower Klamath Project License and the decommissioning of the four hydroelectric dams in the Lower Klamath Project.

The License Surrender Order is the final decision by FERC on the Klamath River Renewal project. This is the action that allows the Klamath River Renewal Corporation to decommission and remove the four hydroelectric dams and implement related restoration activities.

Chief Executive Officer of KRRC Mark Bransom said the organization is very pleased with the Commission’s decision. Bransom said, “This important milestone reflects decades of collective work by the many dedicated Signatories of the Amended Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement to restore the Klamath River and we are prepared to begin the largest dam removal and river restoration effort in U.S. History”.

A KRRC release said the decommissioning process will start once the organization and the states of Oregon and California review terms and conditions of the surrender and accept the June 2021 License Transfer Order, which will transfer ownership of the dams from PacificCorp to KRRC and the states. The parties expect to accept the order within the next 30 days.

Wendy Ferris-George, KRRC Board member appointed by the Karuk Tribe said, “Dam removal is imminent. We deeply appreciated the many Tribal people who have dedicated their lives to bring balance to the Klamath River and their communities”.

Additional information about the Klamath dam removal project can be viewed at: https://klamathrenewal.org/