Rogue River dam removal

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Pacific Northwest Regional Office
Boise, Idaho
Media Contact: Diana Cross (208) 378-5020
dcross@pn.usbr.gov
Robert Hamilton (208) 378-5087
rhamilton@pn.usbr.gov
TTY/TDD: 711
For Release: August 9, 2006
Reclamation Awards $28 Million Contract for Savage
Rapids Work
The Bureau of Reclamation awarded the first part of a contract for construction of the Savage
Rapids pumping plant and subsequent removal of a major portion of the Grants Pass
Irrigation District's Savage Rapids Dam located on the Rogue River near Grants Pass, Ore.
Slayden Construction Group, Inc. of Stayton, Ore. was awarded the contract on August 9.
The entire project, including dam removal, is scheduled to be completed by December 19,
2009.
The first phase of the contract covers construction of a pumping plant capable of handling
flows up to 150 cubic feet per second to ensure that the Grants Pass Irrigation District can
continue service to its patrons on both sides of the river once Savage Rapids Dam is
breached.
A second phase of the contract, which will be awarded once the remaining construction
easement is acquired, will cover construction of a pipe bridge designed to carry a portion of
the district's water across the river. This will be followed by removal of a major portion of
the dam.
"Reclamation looks forward to assisting the Grants Pass Irrigation District with permanently
resolving fish passage problems at Savage Rapids Dam while ensuring a continued water
supply for district patrons," said Acting Commissioner Bill Rinne.
The President's fiscal year 2007 budget request included $13 million in funding for the
project. The funding has been approved by the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate
Appropriations Committee. Action in the Senate is pending.
###
Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier and the second largest producer of
hydroelectric power in the United States, with operations and facilities in the 17 Western
States. Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife
benefits. Visit our website at www.usbr.gov.

[jbird]

Thanks for the update Bill...Looks like its really gonna happen...finally.

Jay

[sculpin]

After all these years it might actually happen. I'm still not holding my breath. Thanks for the update Bill

Mark

[Digger]

great news, always glad to hear about another dam to be removed.

from PacifiCorp press release:

Wed, Aug 02, 2006
PacifiCorp, Klamath Basin tribes acknowledge settlement process

Media Advisory – Media Advisory
Salmon rally in Portland underscores focus on restoration of the Klamath Basin

PORTLAND, Ore. – PacifiCorp is sympathetic to the interests of the Native American community, commercial fisheries and the agricultural community in the Klamath River Basin area. There are many complex social, political and economic issues that must be addressed in any plan for restoration of the Klamath River Basin.

As a regulated utility, PacifiCorp’s focus and business is to safely and reliably generate and deliver power to its customers at a reasonable price. The company continues to believe that the settlement process is the right place to work on and resolve the complex issues in the Klamath Basin. Thus, PacifiCorp does not oppose settlement opportunities, including dam removal, as long as any settlement safeguards the economic interests of our customers and respects the company’s ownership rights in the project facilities.

PacifiCorp stands ready to work with vested stakeholders to address these issues and help in the restoration of the Klamath River Basin. According to PacifiCorp Energy President Bill Fehrman, “We have heard the tribes’ concerns. We are not opposed to dam removal or other settlement opportunities as long as our customers are not harmed and our property rights are respected.”

-30-

Media inquiries:Newsdesk@PacifiCorp.com .

Note: PacifiCorp operates Iron Gate, Copco 1 & 2, JC Boyle Dams