The Associated Press

Published: April 13, 2006 12:33

SACRAMENTO—A three-county government entity responsible for providing local input about a proposed dam along the American River is considering whether to help fund a study about reviving the project.

A group of House Republicans is organizing to revive construction of the dam, which has lacked support from a local government organization. Rep. John Doolittle, R-Roseville, said he plans to seek $5 million to begin work on a feasibility study for the proposed dam.

Bureau of Reclamation spokesman Jeff McCracken said the study could cost about $30 million and almost certainly would require a local entity to pick up half the cost.

Bruce Kranz, a Placer County supervisor who heads the American River Authority, said he thinks the six-member board will vote to play a sponsoring role after the bureau completes an initial report, expected in August.

The board, which consists of members from Placer, El Dorado and San Joaquin counties, will discuss the project during its May meeting.

Congressional Democrats have raised concerns that pushing ahead with plans for the Auburn Dam could stall improvements to Folsom Dam, which is downstream near Sacramento.

Construction on the dam in the Sierra foothills east of Sacramento was halted in 1975 because an earthquake in nearby Oroville that year raised questions about the dam’s safety.