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Cowlitz, PacifiCorp sign relicensing plan for dams
The Cowlitz County Public Utility District in Longview, Wash., and PacifiCorp have signed a relicensing plan for four dams on the Lewis River in southwest Washington that will re-open as much as 174 miles of salmon habitat. The agreement was signed by negotiators representing utilities, Native American tribes, federal and state resource agencies, three counties and environmental groups. It goes next to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which is expected to issue new 50-year licenses for the dams in the spring of 2006, when the existing licenses will expire.
The Lewis River is a huge watershed draining portions of Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams.
Under the agreement, salmon and steelhead trout will be transported around three high dams to reopen access to large amounts of productive fish habitat.
"Each of the Lewis River settlement parties can be proud of this agreement," said Washington Gov. Gary Locke. "This will ensure long-term, sustainable benefits for the natural resources of the Lewis River while preserving a needed source of electricity for the customers of PacifiCorp and Cowlitz PUD."
One of the four Lewis River hydroelectric projects, the 70-MW Swift No. 2, is owned by Cowlitz PUD.The other three—Merwin, Yale, and Swift No. 1—are owned by PacifiCorp and together generate 510 MW.
The utilities began the federal licensing process in 1995 and had been in settlement talks with the other parties since March 2002. The centerpiece of the settlement is a plan to open up new habitat for salmon and steelhead trout. This effort will contribute to the recovery of wild fish in the lower Columbia River that are either endangered or threatened, the utilities said. The pact also provides that Cowlitz PUD will contribute approximately $19 million and PacifiCorp will contribute $290 million to fund measures to protect fish and wildlife and provide for recreation and flood management.
The plan represents "one of the biggest boosts for salmon recovery in the lower Columbia River basin," said D. Robert Lohn, regional administrator for NOAA Fisheries.
"This is a good settlement for Cowlitz PUD’s customer-owners, for Lewis River residents and for the Lewis River watershed," said Denny Robinson, general manager of Cowlitz PUD.
"We applaud PacifiCorp and Cowlitz PUD for doing their part," said Rob Masonis, regional director for American Rivers. "This is an important step in ensuring the health of the Lewis River, and its salmon and steelhead, for future generations."
The Cowlitz County Public Utility District in Longview, Wash., and PacifiCorp have signed a relicensing plan for four dams on the Lewis River in southwest Washington that will re-open as much as 174 miles of salmon habitat. The agreement was signed by negotiators representing utilities, Native American tribes, federal and state resource agencies, three counties and environmental groups. It goes next to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which is expected to issue new 50-year licenses for the dams in the spring of 2006, when the existing licenses will expire.
The Lewis River is a huge watershed draining portions of Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams.
Under the agreement, salmon and steelhead trout will be transported around three high dams to reopen access to large amounts of productive fish habitat.
"Each of the Lewis River settlement parties can be proud of this agreement," said Washington Gov. Gary Locke. "This will ensure long-term, sustainable benefits for the natural resources of the Lewis River while preserving a needed source of electricity for the customers of PacifiCorp and Cowlitz PUD."
One of the four Lewis River hydroelectric projects, the 70-MW Swift No. 2, is owned by Cowlitz PUD.The other three—Merwin, Yale, and Swift No. 1—are owned by PacifiCorp and together generate 510 MW.
The utilities began the federal licensing process in 1995 and had been in settlement talks with the other parties since March 2002. The centerpiece of the settlement is a plan to open up new habitat for salmon and steelhead trout. This effort will contribute to the recovery of wild fish in the lower Columbia River that are either endangered or threatened, the utilities said. The pact also provides that Cowlitz PUD will contribute approximately $19 million and PacifiCorp will contribute $290 million to fund measures to protect fish and wildlife and provide for recreation and flood management.
The plan represents "one of the biggest boosts for salmon recovery in the lower Columbia River basin," said D. Robert Lohn, regional administrator for NOAA Fisheries.
"This is a good settlement for Cowlitz PUD’s customer-owners, for Lewis River residents and for the Lewis River watershed," said Denny Robinson, general manager of Cowlitz PUD.
"We applaud PacifiCorp and Cowlitz PUD for doing their part," said Rob Masonis, regional director for American Rivers. "This is an important step in ensuring the health of the Lewis River, and its salmon and steelhead, for future generations."
