Reclamation is proposing to replace the existing fish ladder by 2006 at the Link River Dam to meet requirements for passage of endangered suckers and redband trout. The Project's purpose is to allow fish passage from the Klamath River system to Upper Klamath Lake. The ladder is needed because the existing fish ladder does not meet requirements for passage, does not function correctly, and is not used by the target fish.

Reclamation is also currently conducting studies of fish movement in the Link River and Lake Ewauna area to investigate and potentially assist in the restoration of the species' natural migratory habits. These are actions mandated by the Endangered Species Act as a term and condition in the 2001 Biological Opinion for Operations of the Klamath Project, issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to correct problems that have affected the health of endangered species.

A Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared for the proposed Project and made available for a 30-day comment period in October 2002. A final EA was completed on January 8, 2003, and a FONSI was signed on January 13, 2003. The final EA and FONSI can be found on Reclamation’s Klamath Basin Area Office website at: http://www.mp.usbr.gov/kbao/.

For additional information, please contact Jennie Hoblit, Environmental Specialist with Reclamation's Klamath Basin Area Office, at 541-880-2572 (TDD 541-883-6935), or by e-mail at: jhoblit@mp.usbr.gov.