HRC Coalition members in Washington State filed comments on the Enloe Hydroelectric Project on the Similkameen River.  Due to the inadequate analysis of the record, Coalition members found this project to be not yet ready for Environmental Analysis.

Last week, FERC issued a 40-year license for continued operation of Bar Mills hydroelectric project in York County, Maine.

Public Utility District No. 1 of Okanogan County (PUD, Washington) filed its Draft License Application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on November 7, 2007. The public comment period on this draft is due by February 4th.

American Rivers seeks proposals for river restoration project grants as part of its partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Community-based Restoration Program.

A license amendment for Erie Boulevard's Lower Raquette River project will increase the project's generating capacity by 50% (from 12 to 18 MW) while converting four dams from peaking generation into run-of-the-river mode, speeding up the license's fish protection and downstream fish passage measures by three years (from 2010 to 2007), and adding upstream eel passage at four dams.

On July 28, 2006, FERC published a draft environmental impact statement for the licensing of the Hells Canyon Complex. The 1000+ MW project blocks all migration for endangered Snake River salmon and steelhead. FERC does not recommend any additional passage into tributaries or the mainstem Snake River for the next 30-50 year license.

Oroville, CA -- Salmon and steelhead of the Feather River, along with the many people who fish and boat there, will benefit from an agreement covering operations of the Oroville hydroelectric project, to be signed today in Oroville. American Rivers praised settlement parties for reaching this agreement, which forms the basis of a new 50-year operating license for the project.

FERC's deadline for all interested parties in the Hells Canyon dams to file their recommendations for terms and conditions in the new license was January 26, 2006. The federal National Marine Fisheries Service - the agency charged with protecting migrating endangered salmon and steelhead - submitted a simple reservation of authority. In other words, the agency did nothing and failed in its responsibility to protect these endangered species.

The Coalition was pleased as punch to see Portland General Electric (PGE) showcase its new commitments to fish recovery - taking the connection between environmental restoration and its hydropower dams and new licenses online.

From PGE's March 8th press release:

Fish and the rivers they live in: PGE Web site tells many stories

Anglers will find trend data and fish counts helpful

A comprehensive settlement has been reached (hurrah!) on the Lewis River projects in Washington. The settlement will allow for improved and restored flows, and sets fish passage triggers that may open up as much as 174 miles of new habitat.

Read PacifiCorp's press release, or read on for the lead conservation group's statement on the settlement. Other signing organizations include Trout Unlimited and Native Fish Society.