The Hydropower Reform Coalition is partnering with the National Park Service  to organize a “Hydrokinetics and Recreation Workshop” in Memphis, Tennessee on October 18 and a boating trip on the Mississippi River on Oct 19.

The workshop will be used to discuss recreational issues surrounding new hydrokinetic technologies like the ones being proposed on the Mississippi River. The workshop is targeted for regulators, developers, and stakeholders, including recreation
users along the Mississippi River and will review major recreation effects as well as options to study those effects.

There is no fee to participate in the workshop but registration is required. However, a small fee will be assessed to participate in the field trip.

More information is available here. Registration form is available here.

The deadline to comment on the draft report “Hydrokinetic Energy Projects & Recreation: A Guide to Assessing Impacts,” has been extended until November 15, 2010. The report provides guidance on evaluating impacts of new hydropower technologies (i.e. tidal, in-river current, and wave) on recreation.  The report is being supported by the National Park Service (NPS) and the Department of Energy.

The HRC and NPS will also will conduct a webinar on Wednesday,  October 27, 2010 from 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm  Eastern to present the Guide and answer any questions you may have. To attend the  webinar, simply send an email with “Webinar registration” in the subject line to rupak@hydroreform.org by October 22, 2010.