Eel River dam removal is just around the corner. On Friday, July 25th PG&E published their final License Surrender Application and Decommissioning Plan (LSA), bringing the Eel River one step closer to becoming California’s longest free-flowing river.
The Potter Valley Project includes two century-old dams in the Eel River headwaters and an out-of-basin diversion into the Russian River. The Project has failed in just about every way it can. It has long been uneconomic, no longer produces electricity, poses serious seismic risks, and the water supply is increasingly unreliable due to sedimentation of the reservoir.
Friends of the Eel River invites the public to two opportunities to learn about the Eel River dam removal process and voice your support for timely removal of these ancient barriers. First, on Thursday, August 7th from 5 – 8 pm you can join us at Paskenta Mad River Brewing for a pint night and comment writing session. FOER will earn $1 from every sale, and provide a presentation and suggested comments on PG&E’s decommissioning plan.
Second, you can join us on Friday, August 15th from 4 – 7 pm at the Willits Environmental Center for a social with the Sierra Club Mendocino Group. Meet the Redwood Chapter’s new director Alicia Bales, enjoy refreshments, and participate in a comment writing workshop.
The Wild and Scenic Eel River presents unique opportunities for revitalization of native fish. The watershed has high-quality habitat protected in large tracts of wild spaces. Importantly, the Eel’s salmon, steelhead, lamprey, and other native fish still hold their wild genetics. Removing the Eel River dams will open access to hundreds of miles of excellent habitat in the upper headwaters, restore the natural flow of sediment, eliminate the accumulation of methylated mercury, and improve water quality downstream of the dams.
Removing the Eel River dams is the single most important restoration action we can take to support recovery of the Eel’s once-abundant native fish. The effort to Free the Eel is broadly supported by Tribes, commercial and recreational fishing folk, recreation advocates, and environmental NGOs. Take this opportunity to join your community and help correct a century of harm. Be a part of the movement to Free the Eel!