Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt has declared an
11-mile stretch of southern Oregon’s Klamath River a National
Scenic River. Babbitt’s decision deals a death blow to the city of
Klamath Falls’ proposed Salt Caves hydroelectric project, reports
The Oregonian. Oregon citizens voted six years ago to include the
free-flowing portion of the river in the state’s scenic waterway
system, and more than two years ago, Democratic Gov. Barbara
Roberts asked Babbitt for federal protection. But Klamath Falls
fought the state for more than 10 years, seeking permission to
build a $180-million project. Over the years, the city scaled it
down, finally endorsing a no-dam alternative. But even without a
dam, the Salt Caves project would sometimes have taken almost all
water out of that stretch of the river, which now supports
whitewater recreation and a rich array of wildlife. Babbitt’s
decision brought raves from environmentalists but angered city
officials and Rep. Bob Smith, R, whose district includes the city.
“It’s no secret that this administration is doing the radical
preservationists’ bidding,” Smith said. “No one who supports this
action, including the governor, has ever pretended to give a damn
about jobs in Klamath County and never will.” Federal officials
expect the city to challenge the decision in
court.
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Babbitt helps a river.
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