Warren Buffett’s PacifiCorp recently submitted a Notice of Intent (NOI) to California water agencies to use algaecides as part of a study to control their toxic algae blooms in the Klamath River. PacifiCorp proposed to start using the algaecides starting on labor day weekend, despite the lack of public comment and notification. They have not gone through any public process. Use of these pesticides to control toxic algae blooms has already been proven to be infeasible.

Background: PacifiCorp’s Reservoirs are Toxic and Will Be Unless the Dams Come Out

The Klamath reservoirs produce nuisance levels of microcystis aeruginosa and the Clean Water Act listed toxin, microcystin, that the algae produces. PacifiCorp’s reservoirs create the blooms, yet instead of actively working to take out the Klamath Dam’s, as they have public stated they want to do, they are proposing the use of chemicals without any public comment period and almost no public notification. This proposal has been found to be ineffective, and may actually increase microcystin levels during Tribal ceremonies that include contact with the Klamath River. A very large run of salmon, and the fishermen catching them may also be at risk. PacifiCorp is currently using the Klamath settlement process and the proposed legislation to act as if the Klamath is a corporately controlled river. This allows them to make 27 million a year from stalling dam removal.

Dam removal is the answer not pesticides.