After 100 years in operation Leaburg dam and power generating plant are a part of the community. There are many stakeholders who need to be involved in any decision to retain or demolish the dam. Yet decisions have been made without the regulatory rigor which might be demanded. As an example, the demolition of California's Klamath dam has left some very upset residents, a community's economy upended, and many folks with fallen water tables and no working well. Different opinions exist on the McKenzie, and some strong feelings all round. The recent past fires changed the McKenzie community, it made us stronger, and people showed who they really were in a good way. Sometimes difficult decisions have to be made, but it is not unreasonable to expect fair decisions and transparency. The triple bottom line study used as a basis for demolishing a dam affecting so many was not a fit for purpose tool. Some of the data used in making the decision to close the Leaburg generating plant may be inadequate.
After 100 years in operation Leaburg dam and power generating plant are a part of the community. There are many stakeholders who need to be involved in any decision to retain or demolish the dam. Yet decisions have been made without the regulatory rigor which might be demanded. As an example, the demolition of California's Klamath dam has left some very upset residents, a community's economy upended, and many folks with fallen water tables and no working well. Different opinions exist on the McKenzie, and some strong feelings all round. The recent past fires changed the McKenzie community, it made us stronger, and people showed who they really were in a good way. Sometimes difficult decisions have to be made, but it is not unreasonable to expect fair decisions and transparency. The triple bottom line study used as a basis for demolishing a dam affecting so many was not a fit for purpose tool. Some of the data used in making the decision to close the Leaburg generating plant may be inadequate.