The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is seeking public input on the issues it should evaluate as part of its environmental review of the proposed removal of Scott Dam and Cape Horn Dam on California’s Eel River. If you value the Eel River, now is one of the best opportunities to help ensure recreation, public access, river safety, and other important issues receive full consideration. Please submit your comments by 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time on July 24, 2026.
FERC has released Scoping Document 1 and is now asking whether anything important is missing, whether additional information should be considered, and whether the scope of its environmental review should be revised. This is one of the best opportunities for the public to influence what FERC studies before making its decision.
Removing Scott and Cape Horn dams will restore free-flowing river reaches that have been impounded for more than a century, creating new opportunities for recreation and fundamentally changing how people access and experience the Eel River.
American Whitewater has submitted comments recommending that FERC give greater attention to several recreation-related issues during its environmental review. We encourage everyone who knows and values the Eel River to submit comments of their own.
Your Voice Matters
You don’t need to be an expert to submit useful comments. If you boat, fish, hike, live nearby, or otherwise enjoy the Eel River, your perspective can help FERC identify issues that deserve consideration.
American Whitewater has recommended that FERC give greater attention to the following issues. If any of these are important to you, consider including them in your comments along with your own observations, experiences, or local knowledge.
- Public river access. Dam removal will open new free-flowing river reaches, but people will need places to safely reach and enjoy them. FERC should evaluate public access needs as part of the environmental review.
- Recreation planning. Converting reservoirs to rivers will fundamentally change recreation opportunities. FERC should evaluate whether recreation planning is needed to address public access, visitor information, river safety, and other recreation needs.
- River recreation safety. FERC should evaluate whether project-related conditions created by dam removal—such as dam debris or other project remnants—could create hazards for river users.
- Public streamflow information. Existing stream gages and publicly available flow information are important for recreation, public safety, and river management. FERC should evaluate whether these resources will remain available after project removal.
- Separate the effects of dam removal from the proposed diversion project. FERC should clearly distinguish the environmental effects of removing the dams from those associated with the proposed diversion, the New Eel-Russian Facility, so each action is evaluated on its own merits.
Comments are due July 24, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
How to Comment
(Tip: FERC’s comment interface is old‑school and easiest to use on a computer.)
- Go to: ferconline.ferc.gov/quickcomment.aspx.
- Enter your information, then check your email and click the confirmation link.
- Enter docket number P-77-332, click Search, then click the blue + sign.
- Write your comment, then click Send Comment.
Need help getting started?
Here’s one example. Please personalize it by adding information, examples, or local knowledge that you believe FERC should consider as it evaluates the environmental effects of dam removal. You don’t need to address every issue—focus on the topics that matter most to you.
“I support the proposed removal of Scott Dam and Cape Horn Dam and encourage FERC to conduct a thorough environmental review of how dam removal will change recreation on the Eel River. The review should evaluate future public river access to restored river reaches, recreation planning, river safety, and continued public streamflow information. I also encourage FERC to clearly distinguish the environmental effects of dam removal from those associated with the proposed New Eel-Russian Facility.
In my experience, [add your own observations, local knowledge, or examples]. I encourage FERC to consider this information as it determines the issues that should be addressed during its environmental review.”
Thank you for taking the time to submit your public input!
📷 Cape Horn Dam by Kyle Schwartz, courtesy of CalTrout.