Located on the North Upqua in Oregon, Winchester Dam has a long history of controversy, as the dam offers no public utility other than creating a stretch of flat, stagnant waters for private landowners to recreate on. Yet, for 100 years, this dam has harmed struggling will fish populations and chokes off the natural flow of the Iconic North Umpqua. For years, the Native Fish Society has worked to hold Winchester Dam accountable and, ultimately, fully remove the derelict structure and restore the river. Today, Oregonians can lend their voice to NFS’s Action Alert: “Urge Elected Oregon Officials to Hold Winchester Dam Owners Accountable for Environmental Disaster.”
“After almost a year has passed since the catastrophic construction that occurred at Winchester Dam last summer, we are finally seeing the state move forward with holding dam owners and the contractors accountable for the numerous areas in which they have avoided regulation,” said Kirk Blaine, Southern Oregon Coordinator for Native Fish Society. “We need everyone to continue to ask the state to continue to require full transparency and accountability in all rules of the law around Winchester Dam. We cannot let history repeat itself and allow this deadbeat dam to continue to harm the precious salmon, steelhead, and pacific lamprey stocks that call the North Umpqua home.”
The Action Alert seeks to hold the Winchester Water Control District accountable for the disaster caused during last summer’s construction project. The District continues to employ delay tactics in legal cases arising from last summer and negate its responsibility to the river. If you are not an Oregon resident, you can send a note to Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, highlighting the importance of wild steelhead and restoring wild fish populations and the river system habitats they rely on.
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Follow this Native Fish Society link to learn more and urge action for Winchester Dam!
Winchester Update: Wildlife Damage Claim Against Winchester Water Control District and Contractors
