LaMalfa Requests Delay in Oroville Dam Relicensing
Press Release
Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement after sending a letter to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Acting Chairman Cheryl LaFleur requesting a delay in the relicensing of the Oroville Dam due to ongoing safety concerns following February's spillway incident.
LaMalfa said: "I have always been a strong supporter of Oroville Dam's relicensing effort. After waiting for many years to finalize the relicensing agreement, waiting a couple more months for the independent forensic report promised for September is a reasonable request. The citizens of Oroville, Butte County and Northern California are counting on a proper and independent review that is completed, analyzed, and made available to the public. We can't let the Federal and State entities rush away from the table with a final 50 year agreement before the concerns of our constituents are met."
The letter asks Acting Chairman LaFleur to delay relicensing until the following milestones are met:
The independent board of consultant's final forensic report is delivered to FERC.
FERC takes adequate time to fully analyze and consider the findings of the forensic report.
FERC issues direction to the DWR providing detailed instructions, implementation plans, and compliance requirements to address any findings of the report impacting dam operations and maintenance, safety, or structural improvements.
The license includes adequate annual compensation for the City of Oroville and the County of Butte for the services these local governments provide to the State Water Project by hosting a facility of this magnitude, including but not limited to law enforcement efforts to secure the dam, search and rescue responsibilities on Lake Oroville, operation and maintenance of associated recreation facilities, and other impacts.
A complete analysis and report determining the condition and adequacy of all recreational facilities within the parameters of the project. Required upgrades to facilities or new additional recreational opportunities must be clearly defined and supported with design and implementation plans.
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