AGENCY PRESS RELEASES:

Mid-Pacific Region, Sacramento, Calif. June 26, 2008

On July 2, 2008, at 2 p.m., the Bureau of Reclamation and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) will celebrate the pending removal of Chiloquin Dam at an event to be held at the dam site on the Sprague River in Chiloquin, Oregon.  The joint project began in 2002; dam removal is expected to be completed in 2008.  The removal is needed because the dam blocks access to 95 percent of upstream spawning habitat for the endangered Lost River and shortnose suckers.

Project partners include the Modoc Point Irrigation District, The Klamath Tribes, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Water Resources Department, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Klamath River Inter-tribal Fish and Water Commission, Klamath Water Users Association, Klamath Watershed Partnership, City of Chiloquin, Klamath County, Klamath County School District, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Forest Service, Sprague Water Users, Jeld Wen, Lonesome Duck Ranch, Glenn and Bonnie Kircher, Tightline Troutfitters, and Blue Flame.

WHAT/WHEN:  Event to celebrate the pending removal of Chiloquin Dam on Wednesday, July 2, 2008, at 2 p.m.

WHERE:  Chiloquin Dam site on the Sprague River, Chiloquin, Oregon.  Please wear shoes for rough terrain.

WHO:  Confirmed speakers include Representative Greg Walden; Chairman Joe Kirk, The Klamath Tribes; Reclamation Commissioner Robert Johnson; Mr. Donald Glaser, Regional Director, Mid-Pacific Region, Reclamation; Mr. Jerry Gidner, Director, BIA; Mr. Stanley Speaks, Regional Director, Northwest Region, BIA; and Mr. Steve Thompson, Regional Director, California and Nevada Region, FWS.

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES:  The event will conclude with a Tribal Water Song by The Klamath Tribes.  A barbecue will follow at the Lonesome Duck Ranch.  All attendees, including all media, are invited.  Maps to the Ranch will be provided at the event.  Attendees will return to the parking lot via shuttles and then drive themselves to the Ranch.

PARKING/TRANSPORTATION:  All attendees, including all media, must park at the Chiloquin High School Football Field Parking Lot, 300 Elm Street.  Shuttle service will be provided.  Please arrive early; shuttles to the event will run from 12:45-1:45 p.m.  Return shuttles to the parking area will begin immediately following the event (approximately 3 p.m.) until 4 p.m. 

RSVP/CONTACT:  For questions and to RSVP, please contact Mr. Kevin Moore at Reclamation's Klamath Basin Area Office at 541-880-2557 or e-mail klmoore@mp.usbr.gov.