Welcome to Chelan County PUD's
Rocky Reach Hydroelectric Project Relicensing Web Site!
Background
The Rocky Reach Hydroelectric Project license expires in June
2006. Chelan PUD has been working on the relicensing process since 1999. In
accordance with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulations, Chelan PUD
submitted a
license application and
preliminary draft environmental assessment
for the Project on June 29, 2004. Chelan PUD used the “alternative
licensing process” for Rocky Reach, which requires significant
collaboration with stakeholder interests. Chelan PUD held approximately 98
public meetings with stakeholder groups to discuss Project impacts, determine
appropriate studies, and initiate development of protection, mitigation and
enhancement measures (PMEs). These PMEs were included in the preliminary draft
environmental assessment that Chelan PUD submitted along with the license
application. After submission of the application, Chelan PUD proceeded to enter
settlement negotiations with
stakeholders, including
federal and state agencies, tribes, Alcoa, and the city of Entiat. The settlement
group submitted a comprehensive settlement agreement
to FERC on March 17, 2006.
-
Biological Opinions: Before FERC can issue a new license for the
Rocky Reach Project, NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
must complete biological opinions that evaluate how the new license may affect
listed species in the area - specifically, salmon, steelhead and Bull trout.
These biological opinions are currently under development. After they
are issued, FERC will have all the documentation it needs to make a decision
on issuing a new federal operating license for the Project.
-
Final Envrionmental Impact Statement: On August 4, 2006, FERC issued its
final environmental impact statement
for the relicensing of the Rocky Reach Project. PUD staff are currently
reviewing the document.. A preliminary evaluation indicates that FERC
staff has recommended modifications to only a fraction of the proposed
licensing provisions that were submitted by all parties in the relicensing
comprehensive settlement agreement.
- Annual License: The original license for the Rocky Reach
Project expired on June 30, 2006. The proposed comprehensive settlement
agreement remains pending before FERC. FERC regulations require it to issue
annual licenses under the terms and conditions of the prior license until a
new license is issued. On July 11, 2006, FERC issued an
annual license for the Rocky Reach
Project. The Project will continue to operate on an annual
license until FERC takes action on a new license
-
Water Quality Certification: The Washington State Department of
Ecology (Ecology) must certify that a hydropower project
meets state water quality requirements before the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC) may grant a new license to the Project.
On March 17, 2006, Ecology issued a water
quality certification for the Rocky Reach Project.
-
Comprehensive Settlement Agreement: On March 17, 2006, Chelan PUD
submitted a comprehensive settlement agreement to FERC. The agreement
was signed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land
Management, the National Park Service, the Washington State Department of Fish
and Wildlife, the Washington State Department of Ecology, the city of Entiat,
the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, ALCOA INC., and the
Entiat Coalition. The FERC issued a notice soliciting public comment on
the agreement on March 23, 2006. Comments were due April 12, 2006.
Final terms and conditions from agencies are due May 24, 2006.
-
Draft
Environmental Impact Statement: On August 31, 2005, FERC issued its
draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for the relicensing of the
Rocky Reach Project.
This site is an information resource for agencies,
organizations and public interest groups, as well as anyone else interested in the
relicensing of the Rocky Reach Hydroelectric Project. Please note that some sections
will appear blank until information is completed and/or published.
If you have any suggestions, comments or
questions after reviewing this site, we'd like to hear from you. Please contact
e-mail: kris.pomianek@chelanpud.org Thank you.
Public Utility District No.1 of Chelan County
327 North Wenatchee Avenue
P.O. Box 1231
Wenatchee, Washington 98807-1231
(509) 663-8121
toll-free in Washington State (888) 663-8121
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