The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is finalizing its proposals for two dam projects that threaten to harm rare free-flowing segments of the McCloud, Sacramento, and San Joaquin Rivers. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell oversees the Bureau, so she has the ultimate authority to reject these ineffective, costly, and destructive projects. So called “drought relief” legislation currently pending in Congress also grants Secretary Jewell the clear authority to reject these dams. Please sign this letter TODAY urging Secretary Jewell to reject these unneeded dam projects and do everything in her power to protect these magnificent rivers.

The Bureau is recommending an 18-foot raise of the existing Shasta Dam in northern California, which will drown a segment of the McCloud River protected by state law. The dam raise will destroy the cultural heritage of the Winnemem Wintu Tribe. Wildlife agencies have expressed concern that the Shasta Dam raise will modify flows downstream in the Sacramento River and harm fish and wildlife habitat on federal lands in the Sacramento River Bend Outstanding Natural Area and the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge.

The Bureau is also finalizing its feasibility report and environmental statement for the proposed Temperance Flat Dam on the San Joaquin River Gorge northeast of Fresno. This 665 foot-high dam will flood nine miles of the river gorge and more than 5,000 acres of canyon providing outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities for up to 84,000 visitors annually. The dam will completely drown a segment of the river recommended by the Bureau of Land Management (another Interior agency) for National Wild & Scenic River protection.

Not only will these dam projects harm some of the few free flowing river segments remaining in California, the projects will cost taxpayers billions of dollars and actually do little to improve California’s water supply. As President Obama’s science advisor John Holdren noted, “…the problem isn’t that we don’t have enough reservoirs, the problem is that there isn’t enough water in them.”

With your help, we’ll make sure our rivers are protected through the drought and for future generations! Together, we give our rivers the strong voice they deserve.

Thank You!