OROVILLE — The Feather River Recovery Alliance has filed a motion to intervene with the Department of Water Resources’ pending application to re-license operation of the Oroville Dam.
“Although steps have been taken to identify physical concerns at the Oroville Dam through the current Comprehensive Needs Assessment being conducted by DWR, the Forensic Report on the 2017 Spillway Failure identified other causes that are not being addressed,” said a press release from the alliance. “The lake level continues to be managed for water supply rather than for safety, despite ongoing issues identified by the (Comprehensive Needs Assessment) team that have not yet been fixed.”
The motion requests that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission reopen the licensing process that was conducted over a decade ago, and prior to the community becoming aware of safety concerns at the Oroville Dam.
It also requests that the process be broadened to include all aspects of the dam such as operations and reservoir management and that an interim reservoir management plan be used until the Comprehensive Needs Assessment work is complete and all safety recommendations have been implemented.
“To cover the cost of any future damages caused by the negligence of DWR, it is requested that a surcharge be added to all water deliveries and that DWR provide funds for required DWR/Community associations that are required by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission so that proper staff and professional advisers can be utilized,” said the press release.
The alliance also requests that the minutes of all meetings between DWR and state water contractors regarding maintenance and reservoir management are made public.
Robert Bateman, an Oroville resident and one of the organizers of the Feather River Recovery Alliance, said it’s very difficult for the city and the Oroville Chamber of Commerce to take an objective position.
“They gave up on Oroville Strong! so we got together the Feather River Recovery Alliance,” Bateman said. “We want to change the behavior of the DWR so they’re worthy of our trust.”
He said the motion was filed to put pressure on DWR and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to keep the process open and public.
“DWR treats us as colonial subjects, only worthy of information that suits their books,” he said. “And FERC has not bothered with an intervention.”
Bateman said he believes another disaster like the 2017 spillways emergency will happen again.
“They’ve got their own interests to look after,” he said. “They don’t use their power in the interest of the community; they use it in the interest of getting the maximum amount of water.”
