Brief History of the
Proposed Dams
on the Tributaries of the
Upper Sacramento
by Donna Boyd
October 2002
To
set the scene:
In
2001 California is in a HUGE energy mess as eletricity suppliers manipulate the
market. Governor Davis is signing
long-term very high-profit contracts with energy suppliers. This makes small-scale hydroelectric
generation lucrative….
July
2001 Richard Williamson, developer from the Bay
Area, applies to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for a
preliminary permit to build dams on the Middle and South forks or the Upper
Sacramento. FERC opens a 60-day comment
period for the public to have input on the projects.
August
2001 Local community works together to protest
these projects. There are several meetings, articles in the paper and even a
website is created. Over 200 personal letters and a petition with 400
signatures are gathered. FERC required
that each letter be sent with 8 copies attached. Several individuals donated money for postage and a local
business donated the copies. By the end
of the comment period several huge packages are delivered to FERC containing
letters in protest of the dams.
Additionally, Siskiyou County takes an official stand against the
projects.
September
2001 Mr. Williamson holds a public meeting in Mt.
Shasta to discuss the project and answer the public’s questions. Over a hundred individuals and many
government agencies attend. Lavada
Erickson and a planner from Siskiyou Co. come to express their concerns. Employees from the US Forest Service, CA
Fish and Game, and US Fish and Wildlife all came to listen. Local community groups such as the River
Exchange, California Trout, and the Mt Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center
attend.
The
public comments are overwhelmingly against the project. All over the room people hold up small
papers with “NO DAMS” in big letters.
Mr. Williamson receives a complete set of copies of the protest letters
sent to FERC.
FERC
issues the preliminary permits. This
triggers a second 60-day comment period with regards to the scientific study
work that must be done to determine the impact of these projects should they be
built.
October
2001 The Upper Sacramento River Exchange and
California Trout jointly host a public information evening. Curtis Knight from California Trout
describes the FERC Hydroelectric Licensing process and identifies when and how
the public can comment/participate in the decision making. Lavada Erickson and several Siskiyou County
staff people including planners, lawyers, etc. come to explain the counties
position and how they are involved. Letters are sent requesting the feasibility
studies give weight to the impact on the local environment and the community.
November
2001-the
study comment period ends. Mr.
Williamson now has three years from July 2001 to complete the study work and
submit his license application.
Now,
the scene changes:
California’s
energy “crisis” is over and the high dollar contracts are no longer
available. This makes small Scale
hydroelectric generation a much riskier investment….
Spring/Summer
2002 Mr. Williamson fails to do any study work
and misses a reporting deadline with FERC
August
2002 FERC notifies Mr. Williamson of his failure
to report and gives him 30 days to respond.
Mr. Williamson does not respond.
September
2002 FERC issues an order canceling the permits.