Monday April 10, 2023
California State Water Board —
The North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board approved a National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit yesterday that will allow the California
Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to operate an upgraded fish hatchery on Fall Creek, a
tributary of the Klamath River in Siskiyou County.
“California continues to make important progress to restore the health and vitality of the Klamath
River, an ecological and cultural treasure that many tribal nations, communities and livelihoods
in our state depend on,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “This new hatchery will support natural
salmon runs that have been blocked for more than a century, righting a historical wrong and
revitalizing the environment and local economy for generations to come.”
Once upgrades are constructed, the Fall Creek Hatchery will replace the Iron Gate Hatchery,
which is being decommissioned as part of the Klamath River Renewal Project that will remove
four hydroelectric dams and restore a free-flowing river. PacifiCorp, the operator of the dams
and owner of both hatcheries, jointly applied for and received the permit with CDFW.
“The North Coast Water Board is proud to take this crucial regulatory step to allow the operation
of a newly upgraded fish hatchery that will help the salmon population flourish once again in the
Klamath River, to the benefit of tribes, the environment and the local economy,” said Hector
Bedolla, chair of the board.