The Confluence page 2
Action Alert: Restore the River to Its Historic Channel
(Continued from page 1)
Auburn’s American River Canyon can and should play a vital role in satisfying
that demand. Indeed, we feel this canyon, because of its accessibility and
natural beauty, could be the crown jewel of the recreational mecca Placer County
is now becoming.
One vital step to realizing this dream involves restoring
the river to its natural streambed at the site of the former Auburn Dam
construction project. As part of the initial phase of the dam project,
which began over thirty years ago, the river was diverted through a tunnel
at the dam site, leaving a 3/4 mile stretch of river bed in a dry or “dewatered”
state. Because of the construction activity and safety hazards associated
with the bypass tunnel, the United States Bureau of Reclamation imposed
a ban on all forms of recreational boating from the confluence to the dam
site. This ban has remained in place to this day, despite the fact
that dam construction was halted 22 years ago.
PARC believes the time has come to close the bypass tunnel,
put the river back in its natural channel, and let the public use the river
again. Three times this decade Congressman John Doolittle has attempted
to persuade Congress to authorize the resumption of Auburn Dam construction
and three times Congress has responded with an emphatic “no.” What
PARC is proposing would not preclude future construction of a dam at Auburn,
should Congress at some point see fit to appropriate funds for that purpose.
We simply are saying that unless and until that occurs, the public should
have the right to fully enjoy these public lands and this public river.
This summer we have a golden opportunity to advance that
goal. The Bureau of Reclamation is planning to construct a permanent
pump station for the Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) in the American
River Canyon near the dam site. One option for consideration would
close the bypass tunnel, restore the river and open the river back up to
public use. The Bureau and PCWA at one time favored this plan, given
its obvious recreational and environmental benefits as well as its superior
appeal from both public safety and engineering standpoints. Unfortunately,
John Doolittle strenuously opposes the proposal, apparently because he
fears opening up the river to public recreation will serve as a death knell
for his beloved Auburn Dam. Under great pressure from Congressman
Doolittle, the Bureau and PCWA are now favoring an alternative design proposal
that will not close the tunnel, restore the river, or open the river to
public use.
The Bureau is currently soliciting views of all interested
parties regarding the scope and content of environmental information that
should be included in the environmental impact statement the Bureau and
PCWA are preparing. PARC believes the tunnel closure/river restoration
plan, known as the “mid-channel” alternative, has clearly superior environmental
and recreational benefits. We encourage interested citizens to submit
written comments to Rod Hall, Environmental Specialist, Bureau of Reclamation,
7794 Folsom Dam Road, Folsom, CA 95630-1799. The deadline for submitting
comments is July 30, 1999. Please use the insert page titled “Comment
Card.”
Your comments are needed now.
POINTS TO ADDRESS IN YOUR COMMENTS:
- The diversion tunnel constitutes a serious public safety hazard and should
be closed.
- The current “closed” status of this stretch of the river deprives the public
of incredible recreational opportunities and is a violation of California’s
Public Trust Doctrine, which guarantees the public the right to
use public waterways
- The proposed “upstream diversion” (Doolittle’s plan) perpetuates ongoing
environmental harm to the river ecosystem that can no longer be justified
as a necessary consequence of dam construction.
- The proposed “upstream diversion” plan provides only the single benefit
of allowing PCWA to access American River water.
- The “mid-channel” (community plan) is the most cost-effective plan since
it eliminates a public safety hazard, restores the river eco-system and restores
the public’s right to use the river for recreational purposes.
- How will diverting up to 35,000 acre feet of water affect fall and winter
Chinook salmon and steelhead runs on the lower American River?
