PROTECT AMERICAN RIVER CANYONS

PARC Board member Dr. Laird Thompson, PhD Geology offers a fresh compelling perspective on the many faults with the proposed Auburn Dam in light of Congressman Doolittle's efforts to put the Auburn Dam "back on the table." Here are a few of the key points Dr. Thompson makes in his commentary,
which can be viewed in its entirety here.

· Clearly, Sacramento's first and best line of defense is stronger levees and an upgraded, more efficient Folsom Dam.
· Constructing an Auburn Dam on an earthquake fault could actually put Sacramento at greater risk for catastrophic flooding similar to the national tragedy in New Orleans.
· Auburn could be at greater risk for a destructive earthquake triggered by "reservoir induced seismicity" - the earthquake hazard created by building a dam on the Foothills Fault System.
· The stinking mass of dead foliage and mud created by a 600-foot reservoir that would be drawn down 300 feet or more in the summer will decrease property values in the foothills.
· Sinking billions and billions of dollars into the highly questionable environmentally destructive Auburn Dam project makes no sense.

View entire commentary