Medford: Public meeting on dam removal set for Thursday

The public can weigh in on the proposed removal of Gold Ray Dam on Thursday in White City.

Federal, state and county officials will hold an open house-style meeting from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the county's Parks and Public Works Auditorium, 7520 Table Rock Road.

"This is an opportunity to get input from people and get an idea of what the tenor of the public is, how they feel about removing the dam," says Craig Harper, natural resources department manager of the Rogue Valley Council of Governments, which is working with the county on the project.

On hand will be representatives from Slayden Construction Group, which has a $5.5 million contract for dam-removal and the environmental studies on its impacts, and Corvallis-based River Design Group, which is conducting the studies.

Harper says visitors will be able to view displays about the proposed project and talk to representatives about everything from the dam's history to fish passage issues and impacts to wetlands upstream.

"We certainly plan to have more public meetings and keep the public involved all the way through," Harper says.

For more information on the project and the studies, visit www.rvcog.org and click on "Gold Ray Dam Removal" at bottom right.