Welcome to Chelan County PUD's   
Rocky Reach Hydroelectric Project Relicensing Web Site!

 

This is the Rocky Reach Relicensing Website that is available as an historical reference.  It contains information about the relicensing process, meeting schedules and minutes, stakeholder lists, studies conducted and documents submitted to FERC.   For information about the new license issued February 19, 2009 visit the Rocky Reach Implementation site. If you have questions, contact kris.pomianek@chelanpud.org.

Background

The Rocky Reach Hydroelectric Project license expired in June, 2006.  Chelan PUD began work on the relicensing process in 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 required 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 in June, 2004, 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.

On August 4, 2006, FERC issued a final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for the Project.  In the FEIS, FERC recommended modifications to only a fraction of the proposed measures that were submitted as part of the settlement agreement.  FERC recommended that the Anadromous Fish Agreement and Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) that was signed in 2002 under the current license be incorporated into the new license.  On December 5, 2008, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service completed its Biological Opinion.

Until the new license was received, the Project operated on an annual license that extended the terms and conditions of the existing license.  The annual license was automatically renewed by FERC as required by the Federal Power Act until a new license was issued.

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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