Hydropower Reform Coalition - Washington

History of Enloe Dam and HRC Economics Study

Rich Bowers — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:34:53 -0600

Except for Enloe dam, the Similkameen is a 122 mile free-flowing river with its headwaters on the east flank of British Columbia’s Manning Provincial Park. The Similkameen flows into the Okanogan River which joins the Columbia. Most of the 3,600 square mile Similkameen watershed (79%) is in BC, and the river is fed by three main tributaries, which include the Pasayten River near Manning Park, BC (most of which is in northern Washington), the Tulameen River at Princeton, BC and the Ashnola River near Keremos, BC.

Originally built in the early 1900’s, the 54 foot tall Enloe Dam has been controversial for both environmental and economic reasons for more than 90 years. Enloe has not generated hydropower since 1958 when it was decommissioned because lower cost energy was available from other sources. The current license application [Project No. 12569], pending with FERC since 2008, is the PUD’s fourth attempt since the mid-1980’s to add power generation to the dam. Previous licensing efforts failed due to poor economics and fish passage issues. The current proposal would also bypass virtually all of the river flow, de-watering Similkameen Falls for most of the year.

a. 1974 (FERC finally terminates 1956 license, decommissioning order in 1958)
b. 1983 FERC issues Enloe license;
c. 1986 rescinded by FERC
d. 1991 FERC issues EA for new license.
e. 1993 FERC denies new license.

Economics has been a critical issue in each of the previous attempts to renew generation at Enloe, and Coalition members have, since 2008, consistently asked the PUD to provide transparent economic numbers and forecasts. The PUD has repeatedly ignored this request, and so several Coalition members determined to conduct their own review before the PUD sinks ratepayer money into construction that can never be recovered.

Coalition members American Rivers, American Whitewater, Columbia Bioregional Education Project, Center for Environmental Law & Policy, North Cascades Conservation Council, and the Washington State Chapter of the Sierra Club [links] have been involved since 2008 when they filed joint comments on the projects Draft License Application (DEA). Several organizations have been involved with earlier licensing attempts at Enloe, and all are now pushing to have this un-wise investment dropped.

The Coalition has a long-standing public policy that supports generation at existing projects and increasing efficiency at existing dams. The Coalition has spent the past two decades working with dam owners to improve the environmental performance of working dams, and, over this time, supported more than 16,000 megawatts of hydropower at dams where owners have modernized their operations to benefit fisheries, watershed lands, water quality and recreation. Enloe would fall under this policy IF it made economic sense, did not cause environmental harm to the Similkameen, or if the PUD had the resources to adequately offset the impacts it will cause.

Dewatering Similkameen Falls for most of the year to generate just +5 megawatts of average annual generation (9MW of nameplate capacity) is too high a price to pay, especially when each megawatt will cost more to produce than it is worth.

Aesthetic and Tourism Values
On January 9, 2012, Okanogan County Commissioners wrote to FERC in reply to an earlier letter from Jon Knechtel of the Pacific Northwest Trails Association regarding the aesthetic and tourism value of the Similkameen River Trail and its impacts from the Enloe Dam project (both letters attached below). Their letter offered Commissioners support of the project. In their letter, the Commissioners stated that they are “aware that the PUD plans to provide flows over the falls. This has been published in the FERC EA and assertions to the contrary are disingenuous.” Also, “…the Enloe Dam project will contribute green power to the energy grid and expand the economic base of Okanogan County in a manner that causes few if any adverse impacts. The preliminary figures would indicate power sales of approximately $3,000,000 annually. The economic activity generated provides additional revenue to local businesses and in turn local government which supports critical public services.”

The just released RME Economics study provides facts and data that demonstrates that the project will not generate anywhere near this level of power sales, and that the expected revenue to local businesses will not develop, but that the project will actually detract from funding available for needed public services.

Flows over Similkameen Falls
The Washington Administrative Code establishes minimum stream flows for the Similkameen River; minimum instream flows range from a low of 400 cubic feet per second (cfs) in January and February to highs of 3,400 cfs in late May and June. The PUD’s proposal of 30 cubic feet per second (cfs) minimum flows from mid-July to mid-September, and 10 cfs the rest of the year would reduce flows over the fall to little more than a trickle of its natural flow for eight months of each year.

FERC’s DEA (page 35) states that the minimum recorded flow on the Similkameen was on Jan. 3, 1974 at 65cfs (attributed to ice effects). And the lowest minimum monthly average flow of 191 cfs occurred on September 2003. And while FERC recognized that “The large majority of the wetted area in the 370-foot reach would be dewatered and the majority of aquatic habitat in this reach would be lost.”, and “While this reduction of flow in the bypassed reach may seem extreme…” (DEA, page 90], FERC’s staff Assessment approved the PUD proposal for instream flows.

Certainly, reducing flows over Similkameen Falls to less than 1/6th of the lowest ever recorded flow on the river, for eight months each year as the staff alternative proposes will have a significant impact on environmental quality, and Coalition members continue to oppose these inadequate flows. The proposed minimum flow of 10 cfs is only 5 percent of the 79 year record of flows on the Similkameen.

The RME Report may also be found at the following sites:

American Whitewater Similkameen River website

Center for Environmental Law & Policy Enloe Dam website

Columbia River Bioregional Education Project website

For more information, contact Rich Bowers, Pacific Northwest Coordinator for the HRC. Rich@hydroreform.org

Attachment	Size
Commissioner Support to FERC on Enloe 1 9 12.pdf	10.39 KB
Pacific NW Trails Ltr. to FERC on Enloe Dam.pdf	316.38 KB

Proposed Enloe Dam an Economic Loss.

Rich Bowers — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:13:45 -0600

Today, the Columbia Bioregional Education Project (CBEP), joined by several conservation groups including American Rivers, American Whitewater, Center for Environmental Law and Policy, North Cascades Conservation Council, and Washington Chapter of the Sierra Club, all members of the Hydropower Reform Coalition, issued a new economic analysis of Okanogan Public Utility District’s (PUD) proposal to re-start hydropower generation at Enloe Dam on the Similkameen River. The analysis, prepared by Rocky Mountain Econometrics (RME) of Boise, Idaho, concludes that it is not possible for the PUD to sell power from Enloe Dam at or above the cost of producing it, and that the PUD will lose $26 for every megawatt hour produced at the dam.

Links to both the press release and economic analysis is below.

“Okanogan PUD ratepayers are going to take a big hit for this expensive and unprofitable project,” said Jere Gillespie of CBEP. “We are calling on the Okanogan PUD to replace its out-of-date 2008 analysis and provide ratepayers with a realistic evaluation of Enloe Dam economics. We think such an update will show that the dam project is not a wise investment for ratepayers and should be dropped.”

Okanogan PUD has asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to issue a license to install turbines at the existing Enloe Dam, which blocks the Similkameen River about four miles west of Oroville, Washington. Originally built in the early 1900’s, Enloe Dam has not generated hydropower since 1958. The current license application, pending with FERC since 2008, is the PUD’s fourth attempt since the mid-1980’s to add power generation to the dam. Previous licensing efforts failed due to poor economics and fish passage issues. The Rocky Mountain Econometrics report reviewed the economic data provided by Okanogan PUD as part of its August 2008 FERC license application. The RME economic analysis concludes that: • Market conditions for power have changed dramatically since 2008.

• Construction costs for projects similar to Enloe have increased by 30% since 2008

• Open market prices for electricity, which will dictate what the PUD can sell Enloe power for, have decreased by 50%

• The long-term price for Enloe power is more likely to be $43/megawatt hour (MWh) than the $66/MWh predicted by Okanogan PUD in 2008

• Okanogan PUD’s 2008 analysis did not consider lost revenues due to tourism generated by Similkameen Falls. This report shows that, over the life of the license term, tourism losses for the Okanogan region could approach $20 million, two-thirds of the original 2008 estimate to build this uneconomic dam.

“The negative economics and significant impacts to local tourism make Enloe a poor plan for the utility and for Okanogan ratepayers,” said Rich Bowers, regional coordinator for the Hydropower Reform Coalition. “While forecasts continually change, there is a great difference between today’s economic forecast than in 2008 when the original economic analysis was prepared.”

Okanogan PUD expenditures have been a continuing drain for its ratepayers. On December 2, 2011 the PUD raised retail power rates in order to meet increasing operational expenses. In addition, on December 20, the PUD adopted a budget for 2012 that reveals a five-fold increase in capital expenditures since 2007 (from $5.7 million to $24.5 million), and more than two-fold increase in debt principal and interest for the same period (from $1.6 million to $3.5 million).

“Enloe Dam has not operated for 50 years,” said Rachael Paschal Osborn, with the Center for Environmental Law & Policy. “In the context of its current budget, Okanogan PUD simply cannot afford to sink additional money into a project which will greatly increase rates for Okanogan ratepayers.”

The Enloe Dam project has been controversial for both environmental and economic reasons. Of particular concern is the current proposal to bypass virtually all of the river flow into the new turbines, de-watering Similkameen Falls for most of the year.

The Falls represent an important cultural/historical resource for Native American Tribes and First Nations in the area. The Falls also represent a viewpoint/terminus for the newly developed Similkameen River Trail, which occupies the abandoned Great Northern Railway rail bed and is to be designated as a segment of the 1,200-mile Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail, which runs from the continental divide in Montana to Olympic National Park.

The tourist draw of the Similkameen River Trail is expected to bring significant revenue to the Oroville area. “The Similkameen River and its waterfalls have recreational values that will enhance the tourism economy of the Okanogan-Similkameen Valleys. This report shows that de-watering the falls by the dam could cost $516,000 per year in lost tourism value,” said Thomas O’Keefe, Pacific Northwest Stewardship Director for American Whitewater.

Rocky Mountain Econometrics produced the Enloe report on behalf of Hydropower Reform Coalition members Columbia Bioregional Education Project, American Rivers, American Whitewater, Center for Environmental Law & Policy, North Cascades Conservation Council, and the Washington State Chapter of Sierra Club.

Attachment	Size
HRC Comments on Ready for Environmental Analysis 3 1 10.pdf	117.66 KB
FINAL DEA Conservation Comments.pdf	447.83 KB
Enloe Draft Environmental Assessment 5 9 11.pdf	5.43 MB
HRC Enloe Economics Study 1 24 12.pdf	1.29 MB
HRC Enloe News Release 1 24 12.pdf	211.63 KB

Washington's White Salmon River Runs Free Again!

Rupak Thapaliya — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:21:05 -0500

Project: Condit : P-2342

(Source: American Whitewater)
posted October 26, 2011 by Megan Hooker

After nearly a century, Washington's White Salmon River in south central Washington is flowing freely again! Earlier today, a hole was blasted in the base of Condit Dam, and its reservoir - Northwestern Lake - began to pour through it. The reservoir drained in about an hour.

It's always exciting to see a river come back to life, and with over 40,000 river runners each year, the White Salmon is already one of the most popular whitewater runs in the Pacific Northwest. "New and improved recreational opportunities have emerged on other rivers that have been restored through dam removal," says American Whitewater's Pacific Northwest Stewardship Director, Thomas O'Keefe. "The removal of Condit, however, is the first major removal on a river as popular as the White Salmon, and we're excited to see how the river's ecosystem will respond and recreation opportunities will expand."

While we're all excited that the deconstruction process has begun and are anxious to see the revived river, we'll all have to wait just a bit longer. PacifiCorp will continue removal activities through August 2012. The area around Condit is an active (de)construction site and will remain closed to the public until it is safe. American Whitewater encourages everyone to respect the closures and stay out of the area until the official opening of the river.

(Click on the image to see the steelhead and salmon habitat restored by removal of Condit dam)

(Click here to download a Google Earth file showing habitat improvements in White Salmon river and its tributaries after removal of Condit dam.

Note: Google Earth needed to open file. Free version of the software can be downloaded at http://www.google.com/earth/index.html)

At 125 feet high and 471 feet long, Condit is the 2nd tallest dam to be removed in the country. Crews began drilling a tunnel at the 90 foot base of the dam in August and blasted through the remaining tunnel today. While almost 1,000 dams have come down throughout the U.S., this is the first removal of this kind, and will expand our knowledge of dam removal and river restoration. Dismantling the rest of the dam will begin next spring, and is expected to be complete by the end of August 2012.

Condit was built without fish ladders in 1913, and updating the dam to today's environmental standards would have been much costlier than removal. Today's blast opened up 33 miles of critical coldwater habitat for steelhead and 15 miles of habitat for salmon. Earlier this fall, fish biologists moved more than 500 salmon above the dam to allow them to spawn in new habitat. The juveniles from these eggs will descend the White Salmon unimpeded by the dam. Eventually, 5 miles of new recreational opportunities will also emerge. Whitewater enthusiasts are excited to see the river that's been under the reservoir, and experience the White Salmon Narrows, which has been dewatered downstream of the dam. Come August 2012, we'll have our chance.

As a party to the 1999 settlement agreement for removal, American Whitewater has played a leadership role in representing the interests of the whitewater recreation community in the effort to remove Condit Dam. Many AW staff and supporters are there today, and we join you in celebrating freeing another river!

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Condit Habitat.kmz	48.05 KB

Environmental Plan Earns Sultan River Dam a New 45-year License

Rupak Thapaliya — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 09:56:36 -0500

Project: Henry M Jackson (Sultan) : P-2157

Source: HeraldNet, Oct 13, 2011

(http://heraldnet.com/article/20111013/NEWS01/710139924)

The plan by the county utility district and other groups restores fish habitat and recreation areas on the Sultan River. By Bill Sheets, Herald Writer

SULTAN -- For the next 45 years, Snohomish County's largest dam is expected to be easier on the environment than it's been for the past 45.

The Snohomish County Public Utility District's power-generating system in the Sultan River basin was recently granted a new 45-year license, good until 2056, from the federal government.

The license renewal for Culmback Dam and the Henry M. Jackson Hydroelectric Project was based largely on a plan to make the Sultan River downstream from the dam more friendly for fish and recreation, PUD officials said.

The PUD worked on the plan for five years with government agencies, the Tulalip Tribes and environmental and recreation groups.

"It's been pretty phenomenal, actually," said Rich Bowers, Northwest coordinator for the Hydropower Reform Coalition, a national environmental group with an office in Bellingham.

"They completely opened that process up to public and agency participation," Bowers said of the PUD.

The result is a plan to spend $21.4 million on projects to restore fish habitat and whitewater riding opportunities to the Sultan River, and more in upkeep over 45 years for a total of $69.5 million. The cost will be financed with bonds backed by power bills paid for by PUD customers.

Environmental groups, as well as the tribes, have signed off on the plan.

It's an example of how hydropower can be environmentally friendly, said Bowers, who added that his group is not opposed to all hydropower projects.

Most larger dams were built between 30 and 100 years ago, with no environmental regulations or licensing requirements, Bower said. These include the Elwha dams on the Olympic Peninsula, finished in 1914 and currently being dismantled.

"We didn't know what kind of impact dams would have on rivers back then," Bowers said.

The new license for Culmback Dam and the Jackson hydro project became official at the end of September, PUD spokesman Neil Neroutsos said.

The previous license, issued in 1961, was for Culmback Dam at Spada Lake alone. The Henry M. Jackson Hydroelectric Project, added in 1984, is made up of several parts.

The dam was built in 1965 to expand Spada Lake and increase the county drinking water supply. About 80 percent of the drinking water for Snohomish County comes from Spada Lake, via Lake Chaplain, to the city of Everett.

In 1984, the dam was raised, quadrupling the size of the lake, according to the PUD. That same year, a 4-mile tunnel, 10 to 14 feet in diameter, was bored through Blue Mountain and a smaller, 4-mile pipeline was added to divert water from the lake to a new pumphouse downstream on the Sultan River.

There, four turbines generate about 5 percent of the PUD's power, enough for about 35,800 homes.

The low water flow caused by the dam and the pipeline made life tough for fish and took away what once was a prime whitewater rafting spot.

Side channels to the river, where fingerling salmon often stopped to eat, dried up. Debris that formerly was washed out has accumulated instead. When a big flow comes, it's often a torrent.

One project involves adding more dead trees and wood to the river to add more variety to flow conditions, creating pools where fish can rest.

Another involves reopening many of the former side channels, either by digging or by placing deadwood where the water will naturally divert into the former streambeds.

Work on both of these projects probably will be done in the fall of 2012 or the spring of 2013, Neroutsos said.

The water temperature in the river will be raised slightly by releasing water from closer to the surface of Spada Lake through the dam, likely in 2012, he said.

For whitewater rafters, an access trail will be built and, starting in about 2013, more water will be released from the dam on several occasions per year to mimic natural high flows, Neroutsos said.

The top of Culmback Dam will be opened to hikers, possibly by next spring. Improvements to boat launches in Spada Lake also are planned.

Next week, the PUD is planning opening ceremonies for its Youngs Creek Dam, a "microhydro" project on a creek south of Sultan. The $29 million dam, 12 feet tall and 65 feet across, is the first new dam built in the state in more than 25 years, PUD officials say. It's expected to generate enough power, on average, for 2,000 homes.

The PUD also operates an even smaller dam at Woods Hole near Monroe.

Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439; sheets@heraldnet.com.

Elwha & Glines Canyon Dam Removal

Rich Bowers — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 16:22:50 -0500

This weekend heralds the beginning of a three-year process to remove the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams on Washington's Olympic Peninsula. The Elwha River flows through the heart of Olympic National Park, and restoration will restore over 70 miles of salmon and steelhead habitat. Glines Canyon Dam (210 feet tall) will be the largest dam removal ever removed. Elwha Dam was built in 1913, and Glines Canyon in 1927, so removal will allow the river to run free for the first time in nearly 100 years.

As reported in the Coalitions "Restore -- Responsibly Reviving America's Rivers," dam removal in the Northwest has restored hundreds of miles of river and provided more fish, wildlife, recreation, improved public safety, flood protection, and better water quality. Dam removal has been studied or successfully undertaken on more than 80 rivers in Alaska, Montana, Oregon and Washington. This includes dam removals on Oregon's Rogue, Hood and Sandy Rivers, Idaho's Bear, Washington's Trout Creek, and Montana's Clark Fork.

On October 26th, the 125 foot tall Condit Dam on Washington's White Salmon River, built in 1911, is scheduled to be breached which will connect the lower 3.3 miles of river with the upper 29 Wild and Scenic River miles.

Coalition members have been deeply involved with each of these removal and restoration projects.

Time Lapse Website for Removal of Condit Dam

Rupak Thapaliya — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 11:22:11 -0500

Project: Condit : P-2342

A new website (http://whitesalmontimelapse.wordpress.com/) will maintain a timelapse of the events unfolding during the removal of the Condit dam.

The Condit Dam on the White Salmon River in Washington will be breached on October 26, 2011. The dam has been in place since 1913 and has been a major barrier that has devastated the White Salmon River's salmon and steelhead runs by reducing their habitat to only three miles. Removal of the dam will open 33 miles of habitat for steelhead and 14 miles of habitat for chinook, chum and coho salmon as well as five miles of recreational boating runs.

PacifiCorps decided in 1999 that removing the dam would be more cost effective than building a fish passage system to keep the hydropower project running. More information on the project is available at http://whitesalmonriver.org/.

Broadening the Hydro Base in Washington State

Rich Bowers — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 18:27:25 -0500

Over the past several months, Coalition members have worked to broaden the energy generation base in Washington State by promoting efficiency upgrades at existing dams, focusing on new renewable energy technologies, and opposing new dam construction where this would lead to marginal additional energy and high environmental impacts.

Washington's energy system is unlike any other state in the country, with more than 66% of its energy coming from hydropower. In 2007, the Energy Information Administration ranked Washington State as #1 of the hydropower producing states, generating over 27% of the total US hydropower capacity for electric generation.

On July 15th, the Coalition submitted comments to the Washington Utility and Transportation Commission which is planning to study the potential for distributed energy within the state. Comments addressed the comparison of micro-hydro projects with other renewable technologies as well as comparing micro-hydro to utility-scale hydropower generation. See below.

Coalition members have also intervened in nine permit applications or licenses for new small-hydro projects in the North Cascades, including a new proposal for the North Fork Snoqualmie, a river section found to be eligible for Wild and Scenic designation, and currently listed as a Northwest Power and Conservation Council protected area. Copies of Coalition interventions can be found below.

Attachment	Size
Final Barclay Creek Intervention 12 16 10.pdf	42.45 KB
Final Calligan Creek Intervention 3 11 11.pdf	37.85 KB
Final Martin Creek Intervention 12 16 10.pdf	48.93 KB
Final Hancock Creek Intervention 4 13 11.pdf	43.12 KB
Final Ruth Swamp Creek Intervention 12 16 10.pdf	50.48 KB
Final Bear Creek Intervention 4 13 11.pdf	34.6 KB
Final Comment NGO Ltr. 7 8 11.pdf	40.22 KB
Final AW Intervention 7 8 11.pdf	2.45 MB
Comments to WUTC on micro-hydro FINAL 7 15 11.pdf	98.49 KB

FERC opens pathway to 2011 removal of Condit Dam

Rich Bowers — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:44:03 -0500

Project: Condit : P-2342

On April 21, 2011, FERC issued its order on rehearing, denying stay, and dismissing the extension of time request by PacifiCorp on Project No. 2342-021, Condit Dam on Washington's White Salmon River. This order re-opens the path for removing the dam this October, 2011.

With a limited dam removal window, and pending FERC's response to the utilities request for clarification and rehearing on FERC's surrender order (WA Dept of Ecology and American Rivers, American Whitewater and Trout Unlimited also requested rehearing), PacifiCorp had asked for an extension to push removal back to 2012. In this order, FERC addresses those areas were clarification was needed, especially its earlier decision that the state had waived its 401 water quality certification, and denies their request for an extension.

The order "concludes that 401 certification was not in fact waived and incorporates the certification conditions as conditions of the surrender order." Further, FERC orders "The licensee shall commence breaching Condit Dam and draining Northwestern Lake in October 2011 and may continue project operations until breaching the dam."

The order does provide the licensee with an out, saying that "If PacifiCorp determines that it would not be able to begin project removal activities in 2011, it can then file a new motion for an extension of time ..." But this is acceptable and places the onus of timely removal back on PacifiCorp.

We applaud FERC for this timely order, which looks at the big picture benefits of dam removal. We look forward to working with PacifiCorp and other signatories to the October 1999 settlement agreement and to removing the dam this October.

Attachment	Size
Order dismissing extenstion of time request 4 21 11.doc	332 KB

Federal Order Approved for Removal of Condit Dam on Washington's White Salmon River

Rich Bowers — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 19:18:08 -0600

Project: Condit : P-2342

In October, Washington State's Department of Ecology gave final approval for removal of the 125 foot Condit Dam on the White Salmon River by issuing a final 401 water quality certificate. Shortly after, local counties settled outstanding issues with the dam owner PacifiCorp, and on December 16th the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) formally ordered the dam's removal, scheduled for October 2011.

Condit will be one of the largest dams ever removed, and when combined with the 2011 removal of the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams on the Olympic Peninsula, has prompted Coalition member American Rivers to name 2011 as the "Year of the River." American Rivers listed the White Salmon as one of the most endangered rivers in 2007 due to the harm caused by Condit Dam.

Originally built in 1913, the process for removing this dam began nearly 20 years ago and resulted in a 1999 settlement between owner PacifiCorp, the Yakama Nation, state and federal agencies, and conservation and recreation groups (including many Coalition members).

Removal will restore more than 33 miles of steelhead habitat, 14 miles of Chinook habitat, and five miles of whitewater boating. The White Salmon is nationally recognized for its value to both recreation and critical cold water habitat for fish. In its order, FERC stated "We conclude, based on the record of this case, that the benefits of dam removal to anadromous fish, wildlife, and whitewater recreation outweigh the costs associated with the loss of Condit dam and Northwestern Lake." They further stated that these benefits of removal "cannot be achieved if the dam is left in place."

Attachment	Size
FERC Authorization for removal 12 16 10.pdf	226.5 KB

Condit Dam 401 Released

Rich Bowers — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:06:25 -0500

Project: Condit : P-2342

On October 12, 2010 Washington's Dept. of Ecology released its final 401 Water Quality Certificate for removal of Condit dam on the White Salmon River, a tributary to the Columbia. The 125 foot tall Condit dam was built in 1913.

The Certificate demonstrates that water quality standards and other water-protection regulations will be met during dam removal and subsequent habitat restoration. Removal will restore access for Lower Columbia River Chinook to about 14 miles of historic habitat, steelhead will regain access to approximately 33 miles of river, and whitewater recreation will be extended to where Northwest Lake now stands and several miles downstream of the dam to its confluence with the Columbia.

Ecology's 401 permit paves the way for removing the dam in October 2011. FERC's final approval to remove the dam is expected in late 2010 or early 2011.

A multi-year negotiation resulted in an agreement to remove the dam which was signed on September 22, 1999 with the owner PacifiCorp, and more than a dozen environmental groups.

Groups signing the agreement to remove Condit dam include: American Rivers, American Whitewater, Columbia Gorge Audubon Society, Columbia Gorge Coalition, Columbia River United (now Columbia Riverkeeper), Federation of Fly Fishers, Friends of the Columbia Gorge, Friends of the Earth, Friends of the White Salmon, Rivers Council of WA, The Mountaineers, The Sierra Club, Trout Unlimited, WA Trout (now Wild Fish Conservancy), and WA Wilderness Coalition.

Attachment	Size
FWSRNewsRelease_ConditDam401.doc	61 KB
Condit Dam Decommissioning Project.pdf	1.75 MB

"Trout on the Wind" wins prestigious 2010 John Muir Film Award

Rich Bowers — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 11:41:45 -0500

"Trout on the Wind," a new video about the 2009 removal of Hemlock dam and the restoration of 12 miles of Washington State's Trout Creek, has won the coveted John Muir 2010 Film Award in Environmental Film Competition. "Trout on the Wind" is a presentation of the Hydropower Reform Coalition, a Sam Drevo Production produced by Ralph Bloemers.

The award will be presented at the 2010 Yosemite Film Festival on Friday, October 29th in Yosemite National Park, California.

The 10 minute short video documents the removal of the dam located within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Trout Creek is a tributary of the Wind River which runs into the Columbia River Gorge. Historically, Trout Creek provided a significant portion of the prime habitat for steelhead. Built in the 1930's, the dam has aged and fell into disrepair and resident fish populations were struggling to hold on. This film takes you to the river and introduces you to the people that made this inspiring river restoration effort a reality.

See the short Youtube version of the video.

Settlement Leads to Licensing of Cushman Project

Rupak Thapaliya — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 09:04:14 -0500

Project: Cushman : P-460

On July 15, 2010 FERC approved a settlement reached in January 2009 by the City of Tacoma, Skokomish Tribe, and state and federal agencies and issued a 50-year license for the Cushman hydroelectric project.

Following the agreement and now the Commission’s order, the City of Tacoma will pay $12.6 million and swap some 1,140 acres of property to the Skokomish tribe. The Tribe will also receive 7.25 percent of the value of electric production from the Cushman No. 2 powerhouse; transfer of land valued at $23 million including Camp Cushman on Lake Cushman, the 500-acre Nalley Ranch and Saltwater Park on Hood Canal. In exchange, the tribe will drop a $5.6 billion lawsuit it had filed in 1999 that claimed the two Cushman dams wiped out treaty-protected fishing and hunting grounds and unlawfully enriched the City of Tacoma for decades.

The Commission also approved construction of a new powerhouse that would house two generating units with a total capacity of 3.6MW. The project now has an installed capacity of 134.6 MW.

Read the FERC order here.

Agreement To Restore Fisheries at Sullivan Creek and Continue Generation at Boundary Project

Rupak Thapaliya — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Project: Boundary : P-2144 | Sullivan Creek : P-2225

Coalition members American Whitewater, Selkirk Conservation Alliance, and The Lands Council have signed two settlement agreements that call for continued operation of Boundary Dam on the Pend Oreille River, enhanced operation of Sullivan Dam on the natural Sullivan Lake, and the removal of Mill Pond Dam on Sullivan Creek.

These agreements provide for the protection and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat, native species protection, improved public recreation facilities and programs, and commit to maintaining the regional quality of life enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

Removal of Mill Pond Dam will provide potential access to more than 16 miles of spawning, rearing, overwintering and foraging habitat for fish. Upstream fish passage will also be provided at Boundary Dam to connect habitats and fish populations above and below Boundary Project, which should lead to healthier populations of native fish throughout the Pend Oreille basin.

The Boundary Project (P-2144), owned by Seattle City Light and located on the Pend Oreille river, and accounts for more than half the power the utility produces. The Sullivan Creek Project (P-2225), owned and operated by the Pend Oreille Public Utility District, is located on Sullivan Creek – a major tributary entering the Pend Oreille River about 10 miles upstream from Boundary Dam in northeastern Washington..

These agreements were signed and filed with FERC on March 29, 2010. Now FERC will conduct its environmental review under NEPA before making a final decision in 2011.

HRC Coalition Members File Joint Comments on Enloe Hydroelectric Project

Rich Bowers — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:46:23 -0600

HRC Coalition members in Washington State filed comments on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) December 28, 2009 notice of Ready for Environmental Analysis for the Enloe Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 21569).

This is the fourth attempt by the Okanogan PUD to license this project, and still fundamental issues surrounding this project remain unanswered. This includes fish passage, historical range of anadromous species in the Similkameen, daily and adequate instream flows, aesthetic and recreation issues, and the connectivity of Enloe with the proposed Shankers Bend project just one mile upstream. Due to these unanswered questions, and remaining study needs, the Conservation Groups found this project to be not yet ready for Environmental Analysis.

Attachment	Size
WDFW Comments.pdf	1.53 MB
Okanogan Wenatchee FS Comments.pdf	63.35 KB
NWFS Comments.pdf	350.57 KB
Dept of Interior.pdf	432.89 KB
CRITFC Comments.pdf	1.52 MB
CPAWS BC Comments.pdf	13.27 KB
Colville Tribe Comments.pdf	1.31 MB
HRC Comments.pdf	117.66 KB

More Hydropower Projects Seek LIHI Certification

Rupak Thapaliya — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 13:46:20 -0600

Project: Merwin : P-935 | Bear River : P-20 | Cutler Plant : P-2420

The last day of 2009 saw seven hydropower projects filing their application for certification with the Low Impact Hydropower Institute. In 2009 alone, the Institute issued certifications for nine projects throughout the country. So far, there are 46 LIHI certified projects in 24 states.

Of the seven newest projects seeking LIHI certification, five are owned by PacifiCorp. The seven projects are:

PacifiCorp’s Lewis River Projects (P-935, P-2071, and P-2111) in Washington
PacifiCorp’s Bear River Project (P-20) in Idaho
PacifiCorp’s Cutler Project (P-2420) in Utah
PacifiCorp’s Prospect No. 3 Project (P-2337) in Oregon
PacifiCorp’s Ashton Project (P-2381) in Idaho
TransCanada Hydro’s Deerfield River Project (P-2323) in Vermont and Massachusetts, and
Brookfield’s Fife Brook Project (P-2323) in Vermont and Massachusetts

LIHI is seeking public comments by March 3, 2010. More information on each of the projects and instructions on how to submit comments are available at www.lowimpacthydro.org.

LIHI provides certification to projects based on eight key areas:

river flows,
water quality,
fish passage and protection,
watershed protection,
threatened and endangered species protection,
cultural resource protection,
recreation, and
facilities recommended for removal.

According to LIHI, Certification is designed to provide consumers with assurance that a facility has avoided or reduced their environmental impacts.

Snohomish County Eyes to Build Tidal Project

Rupak Thapaliya — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:25:25 -0600

The Snohomish County PUD No. 1 in Washington has further advanced in its intent to build and operate a tidal energy project in the Admirarty Inlet. Earlier this week, the PUD filed its draft license application with FERC.

The proposed Admiralty Inlet Pilot Tidal Project (P-12690) would be located on the east side of Admiralty Inlet in Puget Sound, Washington, about 1 kilometer west of Admiralty Head. The project would temporarily place two 10-meter turbines in a high-current area approximately 58 meters deep and 1 kilometer offshore of Admiralty Head. The 1 MW project is expected to general approximately 765 megawatt-hours of energy.

The PUD is seeking a pilot license for the tidal project.

The application along with the Environmental Report prepared by the PUD can be found here. FERC is seeking comments on the application and the monitoring plans proposed by the PUD by February 26, 2010.

Washington's Hemlock Dam Removed

Rich Bowers — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 19:54:00 -0500

Hemlock Dam, on Washington's Trout Creek, was removed on August 4th, 2009. The 26 foot dam was originally constructed in 1935-36 by the Civilian Conservation Corps to provide for hydropower generation. Generation ceased in 1958 when modifications were made to provide water for the Wind River Tree Farm. This nursery closed in 1997.

Hemlock historically produced up to 40% of the Wind River's threatened wild steel head, and removal opens up approximately 15 miles of habitat.

In 2008 the Hydropower Reform Coalition provided $3K to the Gifford Pinchot Task Force (GPTF) for a legal intervention in Skamania County's appeal of Washington's Dept. of Ecology Clean Water permit. The final report for this project is provided below and provides a history of the project, as well as describing the successful litigation and the steps taken to remove the dam.

In 2009, the Coalition provided GPTF with a second grant to produce a video on the removal of both Hemlock and the nearby Marmot Dam on Oregon's Sandy River. This video will provide a visual representation of river restoration efforts and how this can connect habitat, recreation and community. When completed, the video will be available here on the Coalition website.

Photo's courtesy of GPTF and Crag Law Center.

Attachment	Size
root wads.JPG	1.55 MB
reservoir looking downstream.JPG	1.48 MB
Hemlock craig jpg.jpg	14.47 KB
Hemlock craig 5 jpg.jpg	8.38 KB
dam n trout creek.JPG	1.55 MB
Press Release Hemlock Dam to Be Removed 4.9.2009.pdf	210.72 KB
Hemlock article.pdf	551.63 KB
Final Pooled Fund Report Hemlock Litigation.doc	2.16 MB

Avista Gets 50-year License for Spokane River Projects

Rupak Thapaliya — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:53:33 -0500

Project: Spokane River : P-2545

Avista Corporation has received a new 50-year license to operate its Spokane River hydroelectric projects (P-2545).

Of the five developments, Post Falls is located in Idaho while the other four- Upper Falls, Monroe Street, Nine Mile and Long Lake, are located in Washington.

The new license issued by FERC yesterday, includes provisions from the settlement agreement reached between the licensee, agencies and other stakeholders. Such provisions include protection and mitigation measures for the natural resources affected by the project.

The 137.67 MW project occupies about 6,460 acres of federal and tribal lands, including about 5,996 acres that are part of the Coeur d’Alene Reservation.

Hydropower and Washington’s Renewable Energy Goals

Rich Bowers — Fri, 15 May 2009 16:03:14 -0500

I-937 sought to diversity Washington's energy portfolio (hydropower currently produces more than 60% of Washington's electricity) by developing new renewable energy resources that would produce new and sustainable energy, jobs, industries, research, science, investment, and economy here in the State. During the session there were a number of attempts to modify I-937, with the role of hydropower, and hydro's ability to gather renewable tax credits at the center of this discussion. Over the past year, river advocates were faced with fighting back a number of amendments to include new dams, dams under 30 MW, dams under 5 MW, and all dams (new and existing). In the end, neither the House or the Senate could agree on language and the bill died leaving I-937 as Washington law.

Hydropower and Washington's Renewable Energy Goals was produced and distributed by the Coalition's Washington members to offset a number of these pro-dam initiatives. It briefly explains the legislative intent of the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) efforts, as well as documenting the potential risk to rivers and watersheds, options for new hydropower but not new dams, climate change, and hydropower role in balancing wind and solar energy transmissions.

I-937 does include as a renewable efficiency upgrades at existing dams, adding hydro to canals and diversions (where it will not result in new diversions or impoundments) and new hydro technologies such as wave and tidal power. Including hyropower as a renewable in these instances is supported by the Coalition both in Washington State and in developing Federal RPS legislation.

Throughout this legislative session, a number of senators and representatives defended the public's original intent for I-937 and stood out a strong advocates of Washington's legacy of rivers. In the lead on river protection was John McCoy, Chair of the House Technology, Energy and Communications Committee. Without Representative McCoy's leadership, Washington's rivers could now be facing an onslaught of new, small and highly inefficient dam proposals

Attachment	Size
Hydropower FAQ Final2.pdf	48.86 KB

Spokane River Settlement Finalized

Rich Bowers — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:15:54 -0500

Avista Utilities, Sierra Club, and Center for Environmental Law & Policy have worked out an agreement for year-round flows in the Spokane River, including flows through the bypassed reach below Upper Falls Dam, over Upper Spokane Falls, and through downtown Spokane's Riverfront Park. Under conditions prior to this settlement, the downtown section of the river was a dry riverbed at the lowest flows. Flow changes will result in a long-term benefit to the river, economic growth and local tourism.

This settlement on aesthetic flows is the final outstanding issue on the relicensing of four dams on this river, Upper Falls, Monroe Street, Nine Mile and Long Lake. A final license for this project could be approved as early as this summer.

This licensing proceeding represented the first-ever opportunity for the state of Washington to impose conditions via 401 Certification on Avista's dams (prior licenses were issued before 401 certifications were authorized by the Clean Water Act). This appeal was also the first-ever challange to the Washington Department of Ecology's interpretation of the aesthetic flow water quality standard. In reviewing the 401 certification (issued April 7, 2008) the state provided no authority or analysis to support its selection of a lower flow and sections on the aesthetic flow condition were poorly drafted and internally inconsistent.

The falls will look very full this summer, as Avista will be spilling water as it works on Upper Falls powerhouse. Next summer, the utility will complete an Upper Falls Aesthetic Flow Plan (with WDFW, Ecology and environmental nonprofits) and begin to plug old canals in the Upper Falls northern channel, which were early water diversions.That work is part of the agreement and is necessary to distribute river flows more evenly. If all goes as planned, Avista will start abiding by the flow agreement in summer 2011.

Attachment	Size
Out There Ad.pdf	581.73 KB
Avista WA 401a2 ltr to FERCl.pdf	95.71 KB
CELP-Sierra Club Comments on 401 Waterfall (5-6-08)-1.pdf	220.61 KB

Hydropower and Washington’s Renewable Energy Goals

Rich Bowers — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:24:57 -0500

Hydropower and Washington’s Renewable
Energy Goals -- A Hydropower FAQ

In Washington State,river groups have joined with renewable energy advocates to keep pending Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) legislation simple and focused on new sources of renewable energy.

The Hydropower Reform Coalition developed this Hydropower FAQ to offset the call to build new hydropower dams and to allow these new dams to be eligible to review renewable energy credits. Besides the impacts on river systems, allowing new dams to recieve renewable energy credits will do little to provide new jobs, technology, and incentives for new energy from wind, solar and geothermal.

Over the past few months, there have been a number of proposals and amendments aimed at modifying the Washington State Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), established by the citizen-based Initiative-937 and codified at R.C.W. 19.285 et. seq. as part of the Energy Independence Act. River and Renewable Energy groups have been working to reject any modification that would expand the current definition of eligible renewables as it relates to hydropower.

I-937 originally sought to diversify our state’s energy portfolio by developing new renewable energy resources that would produce new and sustainable energy, jobs, industries, research, science,investment, and economy here in Washington State. (See RCW19.285.020 – Declaration of Policy.) Hydropower, a mature technology is already included as part of I-937 as it recognises under its definition of eligible renewables efficiency upgrades at existing dams, energy from irrigation pipes and canals where new diversions and impoundments are not created, and for potential new hydropower technologies such as marine, wave and tidal. Power from harmful new dams is not. Now however, the industry is trying to get lawmakers to give them what the citizens of Washingtonwould not.

Attachment	Size
Hydropower FAQ Final2.pdf	48.86 KB

Rocky Reach Hydro in Washington Gets 43-year License

Rupak Thapaliya — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:54:23 -0600

Project: Rocky Reach : P-2145

FERC has issued a 43-year license to the Chelan County PUD in Washington for continued operation of the Rocky Reach Hydroelectric Project (P-2145).

The license issued last week is based on the Rocky Reach Comprehensive Settlement Agreement signed in 2006 by the PUD, the tribes and state and federal resource agencies.

According to the license, there are more than 41 species of fish, including 15 coldwater species, 18 coolwater species, and 8 warmwater species in the project area. These species are either native to the project area, introduced, or stocked.

Along with the Habitat Conservation Plan, included in the license as license conditions are shoreline protection, water quality, white sturgeon, bull trout, pacific lamprey, recreation resources management plans, as provided in the settlement agreement. The HCP is a 50-year agreement aimed at protecting protect five species of Columbia River steelhead and salmon.

The 1,200 mile long Columbia River used to produce the world’s largest runs of Chinook salmon and steelhead trout, major runs of coho and sockeye salmon, and small numbers of chum and pink salmon. However, a series of dams in the river system has led to the decline of several species.

First License for Wave Energy Surrendered

Rupak Thapaliya — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 09:16:06 -0600

Finavera Renewables, the first licensee for a wave energy project, has surrendered its license before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

The proposed Makah Bay wave energy project (P-12751) with a capacity of 1 MW would have been located in Olympic Coast Sanctuary in the Pacific Ocean, 1.9 nautical miles offshore of Waatch Point in Clallam County, Washington.

In its surrender letter filed last week, Finavera states that the project has now become uneconomic due to the current status of economy and limited capital investment.

FERC had granted a conditional license to the Canadian company in December 2007 for a period of five years.

Parties Sign Settlement for Cushman Project in Washington

Rupak Thapaliya — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:41:06 -0600

Project: Cushman : P-460

Following the DC Circuit Court in 2006, Tacoma Power, Skokomish Tribe, agencies and other stakeholders have signed a settlement agreement that will govern the operations of the Cushman Hydroelectric project on the Skokomish River.

The agreement signed on Jan 12, addresses resources issues including instream flows, fish habitat, fish passage and recreation.

According to Mason County Daily News,

"As part of the settlement, the Skokomish Tribe will receive money and lands from Tacoma Power, including a $12.6 million one-time cash payment; 7.25 percent of the value of electric production from the Cushman No. 2 powerhouse; Transfer of land valued at $23 million including Camp Cushman on Lake Cushman, the 500-acre Nalley Ranch and Saltwater Park on Hood Canal.”

The FERC typically approves settlement agreements that have been signed before any licensing process starts for a proposed project. The provisions within the agreement are then included in the license as license articles.

Proposed dams move forward on Washington's Similkameen River

Rich Bowers — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 14:58:09 -0600

Proposed dams move forward on Washington's Similkameen River. Enloe Dam (Project No. 12569-001) announces scoping meetings, preliminary permit issued for Shankers Bend Project (Project No. 12804-000).

Public Utility District No. 1 of Okanogan County filed for a new license for the 9 MW, 54 foot high Enloe Dam on August 22, 2008. On December 16th, FERC issued its Notice of Scoping Meetings and Site Visit, and Soliciting Scoping Comments. The deadline for submitting comments to FERC is February 16, 2009. Evening Scoping Meetings are scheduled for Wednesday, January 14, 2009 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. The daytime scoping meeting is scheduled for the next day, Thursday, January 15 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Both meetings are being held at The Depot, 1210 Ironwood Street, Oroville, WA. FERC staff will attend these meetings and present a list of issues to be addressed in the Environmental Assessment being prepared for this project.

The project site visit is set for Thursday, January 15, 2009, from 9:00 am to noon. Participants should meet at the Depot at 9:00 am.

A list of intervening comments is attached below.

On December 18, 2008, FERC issued a preliminary permit for the proposed Shankers Bend Project to be located just one mile upstream of the Enloe Project. Shankers Bend is a 42 MW project with a 260 foot high and 1,200 foot long dam. This project will impound an 18,000 acre reservoir with an average (as listed in the FERC Notice ) depth of 1,289 feet. This project would impound lands located in both Washington State and British Columbia.

Coalition members have repeatedly requested that FERC review these projects together, given their one mile distance and FERC's comprehensive planning requirements. To date, FERC has maintained that both projects are seperate. Rumors have existed for months that the Shankers Project is no longer feasible (given political opposition from British Columbia), but the preliminary permit granted is for the full impoundment.

Attachment	Size
Dept of Fish & Wildlife Intervention.pdf	152.48 KB
Ecology Intervention.pdf	85.11 KB
Order Issuing Preliminary Permit.pdf	93.22 KB
OBHS Intervention.pdf	207.12 KB
NOAH Intervention.pdf	42.93 KB
Dept. of Natural Resources Intervention.pdf	279.91 KB
Dept of Interior Intervention.pdf	15.66 KB
CRITFC Intervention.pdf	34.78 KB
AW Intervention.pdf	727.02 KB
AR Intervention.pdf	115.01 KB
SD1 Comment Deadline 2 16 09.pdf	48.64 KB

Washington State Proposes Increasing Current RPS Goals

Rich Bowers — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:24:19 -0600

Washington State proposes to increase its Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) goals to now require large utilities to obtain 25% of their electricity from new renewable resources by 2025.

In 2007, Citizens of Washington State passed initiative I-937, the Energy Independence Act, which established a goal of producing 20% of electricity from renewable resources by 2020. As a Citizen's Initiative, I-937 required two years before it could be changed legislatively. The two-year deadline passed in November of this year.

Rep. John McCoy, Chair of the House Energy committee, has initiated a stakeholder process to prepare a bill amending I-937. The first meeting of this group was early November and the second meeting is scheduled for December 4th in Olympia. A copy of the Hydropower Reform Coalition comments on this proposed change is attached. This current language presents similar goals to the recently announced Obama-Biden Energy Plan, and follows on the November 17 Executive Order (S-14-08)by Governor Schwarzenegger to increase California's RPS to 33% by 2020.

The Coalition supports increasing the State's dependence on renewable energy, but we have two concerns as this increase moves forward:

1) Under current language, hydropower generation can only be considered as renewable if it comes from efficiency upgrades at existing dams, from irrigation canals and pipes where they do not result in additional water diversions, and from new hydrokinetic technologies. While this language has not changed, there is increasing pressure to include new conventional hydropower (dams on rivers). The Coalition opposes adding incentives for dams due to their well-documented negative impacts on rivers and ecosystems, and because this would reduce available incentives for other renewable energy technologies that offer new innovation, investment, and jobs.

2) The new language also extends the geographic scope of renewable energy for Washington. By 2016 this would include power produced in British Columbia and Alberta and imported into Washington. While the coalition supports increased renewable energy, we want to be sure that electricity produced elsewhere meets the "eligible criteria" set here in Washington. For instance, energy requirements for British Columbia are far less stringent than in the US. Hydroelectic generation here, unlike British Columbia, is required to include a public process, balance power and non-power values of the resource, and conform to a plan for the watershed. Right now, there are over 400 proposed and under construction hydroelectic dams in British Columbia, we want to assure that importing this energy into Washington State does not result in environmental and river damage north of our border.

Attachment	Size
RPS Summary.pdf	17.27 KB
Schwarzenegger 11 17 08 Executive Order.htm_.txt	24.18 KB
HRC Final comments 11-16-07.doc	116.5 KB
I-937 Draft for Stakeholder Meeting Nov 5, 2008.pdf	128.48 KB
Final 11 08 HRC House TEC Comments2.pdf	85.04 KB

Enloe Hydroelectric Project, FERC No. 12569

Rich Bowers — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:10:52 -0600

Deadline for Intervention for Washington's Enloe Project (P-12569) December 29, 2008

NOTICE OF APPLICATION ACCEPTED FOR FILING AND SOLICITING MOTIONS TO INTERVENE AND PROTESTS
(October 29, 2008)
Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection.

a. Type of Application: Major License
b. Project No.: 12569-001
c. Date filed: August 22, 2008
d. Applicant: Public Utility District No. 1 of Okanogan County
e. Name of Project: Enloe Hydroelectric Project
f. Location: On the Similkameen River, near the Town of Oroville, Okanogan County, Washington.

Deadline for filing motions to intervene and protests: 60 days from the issuance date of this notice.

All documents (original and eight copies) should be filed with: Kimberly D. Bose,Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE, Washington,
DC 20426. The Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedures require all intervenors filing documents with the Commission to serve a copy of that document on each person on the
official service list for the project. Further, if an intervenor files comments or documents with the Commission relating to the merits of an issue that may affect the responsibilities of a particular resource agency, they must also serve a copy of the document on that resource agency. Motions to intervene and protests may be filed electronically via the Internet in
lieu of paper. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings.

Attachment	Size
Notice of App Accepted Intervention Notice.pdf	38.92 KB

Conservation Groups request additional studies at Washington's Enloe Hydroelectric Project

Rich Bowers — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:57:39 -0600

On October 31 2008, Conservation Partners American Rivers, American Whitewater, the Center for Environmental Law and Policy, the North Cascades Conservation Council, and the Columbia River BioRegionalal Education Project requested that FERC require the PUD#1 of Okanogan County (WA) to perform additional studies before the final application for a new Enloe Dam License (Project No. 12569) can be issued. Enloe is an existing dam on the Similkameen River that was decommissioned in the 1950's.

These conservation groups (and their members) have an interest in protecting the environmental, recreational, and other values of a fully connected and continuously flowing Similkameen River system. Among other impacts, the proposed project would totally dewater nearly 400 ft of this river, including Similkameen Falls, for most of the year (July through March). Additional interests include adequate assessment of the historic range of anadromous salmonids; fish passage;sufficient year-round flow necessary to protect aquatic resources and other designated beneficial use; water quality; the need for power and value of generation; and aesthetic and recreational values. While the PUD has attempted unsuccessfully to license this project three times in the past, the information presented in its final license application is insufficient to allow for a comprehensive assessment of the proposed project.

Examples include the final applications ignoring all discussion of historic range of anadromous fish in the Similikameen River, fish passage, and potential habitat values above Enloe Dam by simply stating that “consensus” exists among agencies and stakeholders on this issue. However, this statement is not accurate as the Yakama Nation and ConfederatedTribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, as well as Conservation Groups have repeatedly requested additional studies and information on these issues. In addition, while agency, tribal, environmental and local stakeholders have commented that dewatering Similkameen Falls is unacceptable, the final application offers no discussion or option for providing adequate instream flows, and no useful information on which to discuss alternative flow scenarios. The final completely disregards aesthetic impacts from dewatering the Falls. The PUD also has failed to adequately address recreational issues by requesting an unacceptable post-licensing Recreation Management Plan. The final application provides little new or additional information on the need for power and no review of how flow changes from predicted climate change, climate change impacts on fishery populations, or required passage or minimum flows would impact this already marginally economic project. Finally, the final application once again avoids discussion of the proposed upstream Shankers Bend project, which, if built, would dramatically change production capabilities, economic worth, and the operations of the proposed Enloe Project.

Attachment	Size
WDFW Studies.pdf	120.09 KB
Wa Water Trails Studies and Intervention.pdf	414.03 KB
NPS Study Request 10 08.pdf	1.2 MB
American Rivers Studies.pdf	199.62 KB

Baker project licensed for 50 years

Rupak Thapaliya — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 10:21:35 -0500

Project: Baker : P-2150

Last Friday, FERC issued a 50-year license to the Puget Sound Energy Inc. for operation of Baker River Hydroelectric Project (P-2150) in Skagit and Whatcom counties, Washington.

The license accompanies a Settlement Agreement signed by the licensee, state and federal resource agencies, tribes, counties, and non-governmental groups. The license allows Puget Energy to construct a new powerhouse to accomodate new generators which would increase the installed capacity at the lower development by 30 MW bringing the total installed capacity of the entire project to 200.03 MW.

Based on the Settlement Agreement, the license also requires Puget Sound to upgrade the existing upstream and downstream fish passage facilities and to construct a salmon hatchery at its Sulphur Creek facility near the Upper Baker development.

Puget sound will also adopt measures to protect wildlife, reduce shoreline erosion, enhance recreational facilities and to establish a funding mechanism to support such measures.

Court: Project does not interfere with religious freedom

Rupak Thapaliya — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:10:04 -0500

Project: Snoqualmie Falls : P-2493

In a recent decision (see the attachment below) issued by the US Court of Appeals, a judge decided that Snoqualmine Falls hydroelectric project does not interfere with a local tribe's religious freedom.

The Snoqualmie India Tribe considers Snoqualmine Falls that lies within the project boundary to be a sacred site that played a role in the creation of the tribe. It also believes that the mist created by the Falls connects the earth with the heaven. The 268-foot waterfall, located about 30 miles east of Seattle, has also been considered for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

The tribe had claimed that the operation of project as allowed in the license issued by FERC results in lower flow over the falls than would have occurred naturally. Naturally, the flows over Snoqualmie Falls would equal or exceed 1,000 cfs 80 percent of the time whereas under the license conditions, the minimum flows only exceed 200 cfs in one month, that too at only 450 cfs. Commissioner Nora Mead Brownwell, had dissented the issuance of a license in 2004 based on the flows allowed in the license.

The tribe also argued that the license to Puget Sound Energy, Inc. to operate the project violated the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) because (a) access to the Falls would be restricted, (b) the project would eliminate the mist which is part of the religious experience, and (c) the project would alter the natural sacred cycle of water flow. The tribe had requested the court for a stay order on issuance on license.

However, the Court declared that FERC's decision to issue license did not interfere with the tribe's rights to practice religion and that FERC's decision was supported by substantial evidence.

The Court decision states

...we hold that the FERC decision was supported by substantial evidence and demonstrates that the Commission properly balanced the beneficial public purposes specified in §10 of the Federal Power Act. The water flow requirements adopted by FERC in the First Rehearing Order were carefully considered during the thirteen-year relicensing proceeding and were included in the option recommended in the final EIS.

Furthermore the court decision states

... it was not arbitrary or capricious for FERC to conclude that increasing the minimum flow during May and June to 1,000 cfs would augment the Tribe's religious experience and result in a better balance of interests.

The Snoqualmie hydroelectric project is located on the Snoqualmie river in King county, WA and has the capacity of 44.4-megawatt (MW).

Attachment	Size
Opinion - Snoqualmie Indian Tribe v. FERC - 9th Circuit -2008-10.pdf	99.29 KB