FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 25, 2020
CONTACT:
Matt Cox, KRRC
(916) 847-6459 (cell)
matt@klamathrenewal.org
Sandy Duran, McMillen Jacobs
(208) 342-4214 (office)
duran@mcmjac.com
KLAMATH BASIN – The Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC) continues progress toward implementing the Amended Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement (KHSA), removing the Klamath dams and restoring a free-flowing Klamath River, by selecting McMillen Jacobs Associates (McMillen Jacobs) to provide owner’s representation services.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with McMillen Jacobs to help ensure that all the various phases of this landmark project are running smoothly and in concert with one another,” said Mark Bransom, KRRC Chief Executive Officer. “They are one of the few firms who have either designed or constructed most of the elements involved in the removal of the lower Klamath dams, so they are uniquely positioned to offer the experience and expertise needed to deliver success.”
McMillen Jacobs is a full-service engineering, construction management, environmental, and self-performing construction firm in the water resources, hydropower, fisheries, water conveyance, irrigation, transportation, heavy civil, and underground markets. They have completed more than 150 projects over the past 10 years at hydropower and fisheries facilities, and are fully qualified to advise on dam decommissioning, reservoir modifications, construction of fish hatcheries, water line replacements, fish passage and habitat restoration.
Mort McMillen will serve as the Program Manager for McMillen Jacobs, providing guidance for overall project implementation and risk management, along with his support team of environmental, engineering, and construction staff.
“I have been fortunate to work on a wide range of water resources, hydropower and dam, and fisheries projects over my 35-year career,” said McMillen. “The Klamath dam removal provides an opportunity to bring all of these elements together into one exciting and challenging project that offers tremendous value to fish, wildlife resources and communities.”
The Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC) is an independent nonprofit organization founded in 2016 as part of the amended Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement (KHSA). KRRC is part of a cooperative effort to re-establish the natural vitality of the Klamath River so that it can support all communities in the basin. Signatories of the amended KHSA incude the states of California and Oregon, local governments, tribal nations, dam owner PacifiCorp, irrigators, and several conservation and fishing groups. KRRC was formed for the sole purpose of taking ownership of four PacifiCorps dams—J.C. Boyle, Copco No. 1 & 2, and Iron Gate—and then removing these dams, restoring formerly inundated lands, and implementing required mitigation measures in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations. KRRC’s work is funded by PacifiCorp customer surcharges and California Proposition 1 water bond funds.
KRRC values transparency and cooperation with all stakeholders and is committed to working with residents and governments to minimize any nuisance or negative impacts while enhancing the project’s local benefits.