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Projects include: providing technical assistance
to power companies, states and local governments,
National Park units and recreation and conservation
interests about public access, recreational
and aesthetic flows, recreational facilities,
riparian corridor protection, and historic
resource protection in licensing proceedings
of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(FERC); assisting with implementation of
post-licensing agreements; working with
partners to improve the FERC licensing process;
and documenting success of activities. We
also assist with evaluations of non-FERC
hydropower operations. Recent projects involve:
new recreational facilities, creation of
water trails, enhanced flows, habitat improvements,
reduced erosion, lake level restrictions,
and dam removal.
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examples
resources
Examples:
15 Mile Falls Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 2077)
$800,000 awarded in grants this year
Connecticut River, NH & VT (January 28, 2005) - As part of the (re)licensing of the 15 Mile Falls Hydroelectric Project, a Settlement Agreement was reached in 1997 creating the Upper Connecticut River Mitigation & Enhancement Fund (MEF). The FERC-issued license came out in April of 2002 incorporating that Agreement. Later that year, the licensee made the initial contribution of over $3.3 Million to the MEF. A Fund Advisory Committee (FAC), made up of 12 representatives including National Park Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, the states of VT and NH and regional NGO’s, meets to consider grant applications for projects within the upper CT river basin. Projects have ranged from dam removals to land protection to fluvial geomorphology studies. The amount of funding available is based on revenues from power generation. In the first year of grant rounds (2003), just under $500,000 was awarded. Last year over $750,000 was awarded. In 2005 the total awards exceed $800,000 and will go to support the following projects:
• A three year phased grant of $470,000 to the Passumpsic Valley Land Trust to protect through conservation easements and fee acquisitions, 21 parcels of land along the Passumpsic River in VT. Total shoreline protected is over 45,000 feet.
• $46,000 to the Vermont Council of Trout Unlimited for a project on the Smith Brook in NH to restore fish passage by reconfiguring a culvert with baffles and reconstructing 110 feet of streambank back to natural conditions
• Over $18,000 to the Cledonia County Natural Resources Conservation District to conduct a phase II geomorphological assessment of the Stevens River in Vermont. This will lay the groundwork for a river restoration project and the development of a landowner outreach program.
• $98,000 to the John’s River Conservation Group to replace a town owned dam in Whitefield, NH with a natural rock ramp fishway.
For more information, please contact Kevin Mendik, NPS Hydro Program Manager, NE Region, at Kevin_mendik@nps.gov or 617-223-5299.
Settlement Agreement Signed for Four Hydroelectric Facilities
Lewis River, WA (November 30, 2004) – Two licensees, PacifiCorp and Coliwtz PUD, and twenty other parties, including a mix of federal, state, and local agencies, non-governmental organizations, and local citizens, signed an agreement for the Lewis River Relicensing Project. This agreement details a complex plan where anadromous fish will be transported around three high dams to reopen access of up to 174 miles of productive fish habitat. It includes a $12 million fund to purchase land and/or easements to protect wildlife habitat and allow for appropriate recreation. The agreement also calls for $20 million in recreation improvements and developments along the Lewis River.
As a part of the recreation negotiation team, the National Park Service (NPS) worked closely with national, state, and local recreation groups to negotiate for construction of new trails, fishing platforms, a non-motorized boating access site, interpretation enhancements, and management of dispersed camping. NPS assisted partners to assure recreation access on the new lands that will be acquired for conservation purposes. For more information, please contact Susan Rosebrough, RTCA/Hydro Project Manager, Seattle, Washington, at susan_rosebrough@nps.gov or (206) 220-4121. Over $825,000
to go to VT and NH conservation projects under a FERC
Settlement Agreement
Connecticut River Watershed
to continue to receive benefits. Hanover, NH (January
8, 2004) - Members of the Upper Connecticut River Mitigation
and Enhancement Fund Advisory Committee met earlier
this month to recommend awarding over $825,000 in the
2003 Grant Round pursuant to the Fund set up through
the relicensing of the 15 Mile Falls Hydroelectric Project
(FERC 2077) on the Connecticut River in New Hampshire
and Vermont. The Settlement Agreement setting up the
Fund was signed in September of 1997 and FERC issued
a new license for the project in April of 2002. The
National Park Service was a party to that agreement
and Kevin Mendik, of the Northeast Region Hydropower
Assistance Program, sits on the Fund Advisory Committee.
(The USFWS was also a party and has a representative
on the Committee.) The 2002 Grant Round awarded over
$490,000. The amount available to be awarded is based
on a percentage of profits from hydro generation, so
a high water year like 2003 will translate into more
money available for the 2004 Grant Round. Among the
projects funded in 2003 were a dam removal on the East
Branch of the White River in Vermont, the purchase of
a 79 acre riverfront parcel by a Vermont municipality
for recreation facilities, acquisition of fee lands
and conservation easements in VT and NH, a high school
project to continue and expand a vernal pools inventory,
a middle school project to identify structures within
a local watershed that prevent movement of salmonids,
and implementation of a river restoration project. In
total, 22 projects were funded including projects continued
from the previous year. For more information, please
contact Kevin Mendik, at kevin_mendik@nps.gov
or (617) 223-5299.
Things Are
Flowing In The Upper Peninsula
Water Releases from Hydropower Dam
Relicensing. WI/MI Upper Peninsula (Update July 7, 2003)
- The National Park Service (NPS), through its Rivers,
Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA),
has been involved in hydropower relicensings throughout
the upper Midwest since 1990, resulting in multiple
successes for recreational flows. Some highlights of
flow updates in Wisconsin/Michigan's Upper Peninsula
include:
- A new white water opportunity
on the Chippewa R. at Jim Falls (WI) which started
July 12th. Higher, steady flows will be provided at
the same site between April 1 - May 31st.
- A new flow regime on the Black
River at Hatfield (MI) will provide more water to
the peak flow level release and less to the down ramp
as well as better methodology for managing the release.
- Higher, steadier flows have
been provided on the Menominee River at Niagara, the
Paint River at Horse Race Rapids, and Peshtigo River
at Spring Rapids (all in WI).
- The Wisconsin River at Rhinelander
(WI) will have releases July 21, August 3, and August
9. An increase from past years.
Hydropower dams that are privately
or municipally owned require an operating license, issued
for 30-50 years, from the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC). The NPS works collaboratively with
the hydropower applicant, other state and federal resource
agencies, local communities, and interest groups to
make license article recommendations. On each relicensing
project (a process which takes at least five years)
NPS focuses on conserving riparian lands and enhancing
recreational opportunities while respecting the river
culture, ecosystem and economies. For more information,
please contact Angie Tornes, NPS RTCA, Outdoor Recreation
Planner, angie_tornes@nps.gov
or 414-297-3605.
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Boaters,
Hikers and Skiers Can Now Enjoy New Recreation Facilities
New facilities result from agency/public
involvement in FERC relicensing of a hydroelectric project
on the Menominee River. Menominee River, WI/MI (February
2003) - Recreational facilities worth $220,000 finished
being installed under a plan developed by recreationists,
local stakeholders, state and federal agencies, and
Stora Enso Paper Company, owner of the hydropower facility
as part of the new license application for Little Quinnessec
Hydroelectric Project. The plan includes:
- A boat launch with barrier-free fishing pier, picnic
area, and restrooms, all linked by a new trail;
- 4 barrier-free bank fishing areas;
- improvements in a hiking/cross-country ski trail;
- improvements to whitewater craft launching area:
formal parking lot; improved launch; barrier-free
trail, restroom and changing facilities;
- improved portage trail; and
- improved signage.
RTCA staff facilitated involvement
of local boating groups and negotiations for the plan.
Staff also coordinated an instream recreational flow
study at this location; flows are much improved for
boaters as a result. Other partners include the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of Natural Resources
of Michigan and Wisconsin, Badger State Boating Society,
Green Bay Paddlers United, University of Wisconsin Hoofers,
Argosy Rafting Company, and Michigan Hydropower Coalition.
Please contact Angie Tornes at angie_tornes@nps.gov
or (414) 297-3605.
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Conservation
and Recreation Gains for Red Cedar River via Hydro Settlement
Agreement
Donation of 244 Acres along River,
Flow Changes, and Recreational Facility Enhancement
Included: Menomonie, WI (September 19, 2002) - A signed
settlement agreement for two hydroelectric projects
on the Red Cedar River includes numerous benefits to
the environment and recreation users, including: Transfer
of 244 acres of riparian land to the Wisconsin Department
of Natural Resources (WI DNR) by the licensee for protection
and public use. The land is contiguous with the Red
Cedar State Rail-Trail and the State's Chippewa River
Bottoms Wildlife Area. Operational changes will result
in improved recreational boating navigability in the
17-mile segment below the furthest downstream dam to
the Chippewa River and improved habitat for fish, mussels,
and other aquatic life. Recreational provisions for
the projects include improved canoe portages, boat ramps,
fishing access, shoreline trails, and a recreational/historical
brochure.
Establishment of a $125,000 Enhancement
Fund to be used for research, water quality education,
or additional mitigation. NPS Rivers, Trails, and Conservation
Assistance Program advised on flows that enhance recreation
while protecting aquatic habitat flows, riparian land
protection, recreational facility planning, and settlement
agreement negotiations. Other stakeholders include:
Xcel Energy (Northern States Power Co. - Wisconsin),
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, WIDNR, City of Menomonie,
and recreation interests and property owners. Lower
Chippewa Restoration Coalition, Inc., Tainter Lake Sportsmen's
Club, Dunn County Fish and Game Club, and the Tainter/Menomin
Lake Improvement Association, Inc. For more information,
please contact Angie Tornes,
414-297-3605.
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Cheat Lake
Park and Trail Dedication Part of Hydropower Relicensing
Agreement
4.5 mile rail trail and park created
through relicensing partnership: Monongahela
County, WV (June 7, 2000)-At a ribbon-cutting ceremony,
the 4.5 mile Cheat Lake Rail-Trail and Park were opened
to the public. This trail and park were created as part
of the agreement for renewal of the hydropower license
held by Allegheny Energy Supply. Partners during the
relicensing process included Cheat Lake Environment
and Recreation Association, Friends of Cheat Lake Trail,
League of Women Voters, WV Division of Natural Resources,
and adjacent property owners. The NPs Rivers & Trails
Program (RTCA) provided technical expertise to the group
and provided comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission. For more information, please contact: Peggy
Pings, Rivers & Trails Program, Allegheny Field
Office, 304-293-2941
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Upper Hudson/Sacandaga
River Hydropower Relicensing Offer of Settlement
NPS provides assistance in negotiating
Offer of Settlement in New York State: The NPs, through
the Regional Director, Northeast Region, has signed
the Upper Hudson/Sacandaga River Offer of Settlement.
This agreement represents over three and a half years
of negotiations by numerous parties, and was achieved
despite a change in ownership of the power company and
the state's deregulation process. The agreement covers
four hydropower relicensing projects, thus allowing
the stakeholders to cover the entire Sacandaga River
watershed along with a critical stretch of the Hudson
River at its Sacandaga River confluence.
In addition to the recreational
facility enhancements listed below, the licensee will
contribute $1.845 Million Dollars during the term of
the license to be apportioned between lake, whitewater,
fisheries and riverine interests. Recreational facility
enhancements include a scenic overlook with interpretive
signage and a canoe portage that will link the Great
Sacandaga Lake with the Stewart's Bridge Reservoir.
Another canoe portage will be constructed to allow for
passage around the Stewart's Bridge Dam and the put
in will also serve as a new whitewater put-in for the
heavily used Class III stretch from that dam to the
Hudson River confluence. That new put-in will support
commercial and private operations, and will tie into
significant increases in scheduled whitewater releases
throughout the boating season. A new take out will also
be developed at the confluence. At the Hudson River
Project, two handicapped access boat launching areas
will be developed along with two new portage trails
and island campsites. For more information on this project
please contact Kevin Mendik,
Boston, MA at 617-223-5299.
Significant resources to be protected:
The Forks, Maine (July 25, 2001) - The National Park
Service, through its RTCA Hydro Program, signed a Settlement
Agreement which concluded over two years of negotiations
as part of the relicensing of the Indian Pond Hydroelectric
Project. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is
expected to issue a license for the project in 2002.
The Harris Station dam is the starting point for approximately
60,000 white water boating trips annually through the
Kennebec Gorge's class IV-V rapids. The gorge is one
of the state's most outstanding natural features and
supports a native brook trout fishery. Indian Pond,
located just above the dam, is also known as one of
the state's best small mouth bass fisheries. The agreement
will result in the permanent protection of over 1,645
acres of land through a donation by the project's licensee,
Florida Power & Light. In addition, up to 2,152
acres of wetlands will be restored through restoration
or conservation easements. Over $650,000 will be put
into a Fisheries Habitat Restoration Fund. Recreational
use fees will be eliminated for private boaters and
fishermen and significantly reduced for commercial white
water users. The agreement also guarantees white water
flows and dedicated flows for fishing, as well as an
increase in the permanent minimum flow of over 115%
from current levels. The NPs worked closely with the
USFWS, the Maine Department of Conservation, the Maine
Division of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the State
Planning Office, all of which were signatories to the
agreement. Several conservation organizations also worked
for years towards the agreement and signed it, including
Trout Unlimited, the Appalachian Mountain Club, American
Whitewater, the Maine Professional River Outfitters,
NE FLOW and the Forks Chamber of Commerce. For more
information, please contact Kevin
Mendik, Boston Support Office Hydro Program Manager,
Boston, MA at 617-223-5299.
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Settlement
Agreement Signed for Three PacifiCorp Dams on Idaho's
Bear River
Trout Restoration, Land Acquisition,
and Riparian Area Fencing, Increased Instream Flows,
and Establishment of Whitewater Boating Flows: Bear
River, ID (August 28, 2002) - The National Park Service
(NPs), US Fish & Wldlife Service, Bureau of Land
Management (BLM), US Forest Service, American Whitewater,
Idaho Rivers United, the State of Idaho, and numerous
other parties signed a settlement agreement with PacifiCorp,
the licensee for the Grace, Cove and Oneida dams on
the Bear River in Idaho. Prior to this agreement, the
dams dewatered several miles of habitat for Bonneville
cutthroat trout and blocked the use of Black Canyon
by whitewater boaters, a situation that will now change
beginning as early as next year if accepted by the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
Key provisions of the agreement
include: establishment of higher base flows; a study
of Bonneville cutthroat trout habitat and population
and aerial analysis of their habitat; a study of the
feasibility of decommissioning the Cove Dam; funding
for land acquisition, habitat restoration and BLM recreation
facilities; and a matching grant fund for landowner
fencing of riparian areas. Of special concern to the
NPs was the establishment of recreational boating flows
in Black Canyon, a Class IV run near Salt Lake City.
With acceptance of the agreement by the FERC, up to
16 days of scheduled boating flows may be provided each
year. For more information, please contact Susan
Rosebrough, Hydropower Program Manager, Seattle,
Washington, 206-220-4121.
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Last Modified 3-29-06