Letter writing workshop will urge regulators to swiftly remove Potter Valley Project dams

PG&E has submitted its final license surrender application to decommission the Potter Valley Project, which includes the century-old Scott and Cape Horn dams on the Eel River. Local environmental advocates assert that removing these dams is critical for the recovery of native fish species. The Sierra Club and Friends of the Eel River will lead a workshop on Friday at the Willits Environmental Center, inviting community input for comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Robin Leler from the Sierra Club emphasized the urgency of encouraging swift action to avoid delays in the dam removal process. Additionally, Leler noted concerns regarding PG&E's responsibility for cleaning up the Lake Pillsbury footprint after the Scott Dam's removal.

Previous envisioning meetings have brought together diverse stakeholders, including tribes and environmentalists, to discuss land restoration possibilities. Most of the land available for restoration is owned by land trusts, complicating potential collaborative efforts. The community aims to ensure that both ecological restoration and local interests are considered in the decommissioning process.