On Friday, October 6, 2000, at 10:00 a.m., Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt and California Secretary of Resources Mary Nichols will host an event to celebrate the removal of Saeltzer Dam on Clear Creek in northern California about 8 miles south of Redding. (See map on page 2.) Secretary Babbitt continues his 2000 California dam-busting tour on October 12 with removal of the first piece of Matilija Dam in southern California, which will be the largest dam removed anywhere in the world.

"The removal of these dams will represent acts of creation, not destruction," says Secretary Babbitt, who has helped take down a number of unneeded dams. "The Saeltzer Dam, for example, will create passage for spring-run salmon and steelhead to valuable spawning and nursery habitat in Clear Creek. Moreover, taking down the Saeltzer will be one of the first restoration actions under the new CALFED Bay-Delta agreement released this summer."

Who: Honorable Bruce Babbitt, U.S. Secretary of the Interior
Honorable Mary Nichols, Secretary, California Resources Agency

What: Demonstration/celebration beginning the removal of the Saeltzer Dam

When: 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 6, 2000

Where: Saeltzer Dam on Clear Creek, Redding, California

Why: To improve fish passage, protect instream flows, and maintain water supply

Bring: The event is being held at a construction site. Please wear outdoor clothing and closed-toe shoes, and bring a hard hat and safetyvest (required).Call ahead to 916-978-5100 if you will need to borrow these items or require a map.

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