Tuesday August 27, 2024
Jefferson Public Radio —
In March, after the removal of four dams created a spike in sediment and heavy metals going downstream, residents raised concerns to the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors about elevated levels of arsenic and lead.
Supervisors voted 4-1 to declare a local emergency and sent an emergency request to Governor Gavin Newsom’s office.
Earlier this month, that request was denied.
An Aug. 8 letter issued by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services said there are numerous safeguards in place to “ensure that the anticipated short-term impact from the Lower Klamath Dam Removal Project does not adversely impact human health.” It cited existing state and federal requirements for treating surface water used for drinking and mitigation by the Klamath River Renewal Corporation for public water sources below the dams.