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Becklin resigns from dam board By JONEL ALECCIA With no warning to critics or supporters of a plan to remove Savage Rapids Dam, Dennis M. Becklin announced late Saturday that he's resigning from the Grants Pass Irrigation District board of directors. Becklin cited family and professional obligations as the reason for the resignation, effective Tuesday. "I step back from the very demanding and time consuming community service effort that I have undertaken on behalf of GPID during the past two years," said Becklin, who had less than a year remaining on a three-year term. The declaration arrived in a late-night fax that stunned fellow members. "It came like a lightning bolt out of the blue," said Don Greenwood, who last month replaced Becklin as board chairman. "I had absolutely no indication of this." At least one longtime critic said the resignation was not a complete shock, however. "He's no longer board chairman," said Bob Hunter, a Medford lawyer for the environmental group WaterWatch of Oregon. "It's not a total surprise because that gave him the platform he needed to continue his agenda." Becklin could not be reached Sunday and indicated in his letter that he would provide no additional comments to the GPID board or to the media. His resignation follows approval earlier this month by district patrons of a controversial proposal to remove the dam on the Rogue River at a cost of some $27 million. "It is quite satisfying for me to have begun my tenure as GPID chairman in January 1998 with community sentiment 70 to 80 percent opposed to dam removal and to have ended my two-year tenure ... just as 63 percent of the district's patrons voted in favor of dam removal," wrote Becklin. Opponents of the proposal contend that the plan asks for too much money and contains contingencies that cannot be met. Becklin and Greenwood say it is the best way to remove the dam while protecting the river and the district. "I continue to believe that the GPID and the greater Grants Pass community have every right to expect fair and adequate compensation to offset the adverse effects that will result from the removal of Savage Rapids Dam," Becklin wrote. Greenwood said he hopes that Becklin's departure will have minimal effect on efforts to secure funding for dam removal. But Hunter, calling Becklin "a negative impediment to a reasonable settlement," said his absence might create a more conciliatory climate. "I hope this creates some opportunity to move ahead and to come to a realistic agreement about the dam," Hunter said. His views were echoed by Judy Gove, a newly installed board member. She said she was surprised by Becklin's announcement, but ready to look to the future. "Speaking for myself as a patron for the district and a board member I'm willing to work together," she said. "We certainly are facing a lot of complex problems." Greenwood said Becklin would be missed even as fellow board members struggle to understand his departure. "Family and professional responsibilities are something to consider," he said. "But it seems surprising. I am just as puzzled as anyone." Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA