Garamendi: Ruling on Yuba dams will likely be revised

An opinion by a federal agency calling for the removal of two Yuba River dams to assist endangered-fish runs is likely to be revised after ongoing talks, US Rep. John Garamendi said Monday.

The opinion by the National Marine Fisheries Service, in response to the beginning of the relicensing process for Daguerre Point and Englebright dams, needs more work, said Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove.

"I don't think it's reasonable for the dams to be taken down," said Garamendi, whose Nov. 6 opponent, Colusa County Supervisor Kim Vann, has also called for the opinion to be reconsidered and opposed the dams' removal. "Some significant problems would result there, and that's not a good option."

After the opinion came out earlier this year, Garamendi said, he encouraged the Fisheries Service to meet with other agencies connected to the river, including the Yuba County Water Agency and the US Army Corps of Engineers, which operates the two dams.

Representatives from those agencies have met and plan to continue meeting, he said.

"There was some good sharing of important information, and the opinion may be reworked based on information not in the original opinion," he said.

A revised opinion could provide a better suggestion for how the rivers could be managed to restore fish runs, which environmental groups have said cannot flourish unless the dams are removed.

But Garamendi said he could not guess what the ultimate solution might be.

"I expect you'll see a better understanding by all parties of what the facts are," he said.

CONTACT Ben van der Meer at bvandermeer@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4786. Find him on Facebook at /ADbvandermeer or on Twitter at @ADbvandermeer.