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Savage Rapids timeline 1921 -- Savage Rapids Dam is completed on the Rogue River. 1929 -- State issues water use permit to Grants Pass Irrigation District to divert up to 230 cubic feet per second (cfs). 1982 -- After survey of acres actually irrigated, state issues GPID a water right permit for 96.94 cfs. 1987 -- GPID asks state to let it divert more water. 1990 -- State issues supplemental permit to GPID for 90 more cfs (total 186.94 cfs), subject to study after critics raise questions about water management and fish passage. 1994 -- Study done for GPID recommends water conservation plan: replacement of dam with electric pumps to eliminate problems with fish passage. A federal study prices removal of dam and replacement pumps at $11.2 million, retention of dam at $17.6 million. Water Resources Commission extends supplemental permit for GPID to divert a total of 168.73 cfs and ties permit to progress toward dam removal. 1995 -- Dam supporters ask Legislature to grant GPID 150 more cfs beyond its 1982 allocation, not tied to dam's removal, and to require legislative approval for removal of any dam. Legislature, after veto threat, transforms first request into creation of a task force; Gov. John Kitzhaber vetoes second measure. 1996 -- Task force completes report; most members support dam retention. 1997 -- Legislature takes no action on task force report. Federal government lists coho salmon as a threatened species on the south coast. GPID board endorses retention, then removal of dam, but patrons recall chairman and replace two others supporting removal. 1998 -- New GPID board, led by Dennis Becklin, supports dam and opposes state conditions for permit; Water Resources Commission cancels supplemental permit for failure to move toward dam removal, but GPID appeals to the Oregon Court of Appeals. National Marine Fisheries Service says dam threatens coho and sues GPID in U.S. District Court. 1999 -- Legislature passes but Kitzhaber vetoes bills to grant GPID 71.79 more cfs beyond its 1982 allocation, not tied to dam removal, and require Legislature to approve removal of any dam. GPID, state and federal agencies begin talks to settle federal suit; GPID proposes dam removal, but tied to new conditions of its own. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA