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Company's proposal reflects trial-type hearing result and FERC's Draft Environmental Impact Statement
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Reflecting the guidance provided by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Draft Environmental Impact
Statement and information gathered through the August 2006 hearing with the Departments of Interior and Commerce, PacifiCorp
today submitted a revised alternative proposal to address the federal agencies’ interests and concerns in issuing a new license
for the Klamath Hydroelectric Project.
Bill Fehrman, president of PacifiCorp Energy, said: "The company’s revised alternative proposal demonstrates both its willingness
and strong desire to work with the Departments of Interior and Commerce to focus on improving conditions for fish. Our revised
alternative proposal is focused on fish passage and ensuring fish can safely and successfully be reintroduced throughout the
project area."
PacifiCorp’s submission is an alternative to the Departments of Interior and Commerce March 2006 filing, which detailed the
federal agencies’ prescriptions for fish ladders and screens at the company’s Klamath River Hydroelectric Project. It reflects
PacifiCorp’s desire to reach a compromise and proposes several enhancements to the company’s April 25 alternative filing to
the federal agencies. Specifically, in its modified alternative, PacifiCorp proposes:
·Upstream and downstream volitional fishways at J.C. Boyle Dam consistent with the federal agencies’ prescriptions;
·Downstream volitional fishways at Iron Gate, Copco No. 1, and Copco No 2 dams;
·Collection and transport of upstream migrating adult fish at Iron Gate to release sites upstream of Iron Gate Reservoir, Copco
Reservoir, J.C. Boyle Reservoir, and one location above the project area within one year of a new license;
·An upstream fishway at Copco No. 2 Dam for collecting and transporting adult fish at or upstream of Copco No. 1 Reservoir
within four years of a new license;
·Commitment to upstream passage survival rates for adult fish equivalent to volitional fish-passage standards;
·Construction of tailrace barriers and spillway modifications, if necessary, consistent with the federal agencies’ prescriptions;
·Commitment to 100 percent funding for marking all hatchery fish released from the Iron Gate Fish Hatchery consistent with
the federal agencies’ preference for wild fish;
·Commitment to rigorous research, monitoring and evaluation of fish reintroduction efforts;
·Establishment of a Fisheries Technical Committee to include federal and state agencies, Tribes and other stakeholder representativesto
develop and make scientific recommendations on reintroduction plans and fisheries mitigation, protection and enhancement measures,
consistent with the new license;
·Significant additional seasonal restrictions on J.C. Boyle peaking operations, including ramping operations to reduce stranding
of fish; and
·Water-quality impact studies pertaining to the J.C. Boyle facility.
PacifiCorp’s revised alternative addresses the agencies’ preference for passage of adult salmon, steelhead and other migratory
species throughout the project area and to Upper Klamath Lake, and to safely return downstream migrating juvenile fish to
the lower river.
PacifiCorp today also commented on FERC’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement calling for a science-based approach to reintroduction
of fish in the project area.
Fehrman said that "the company’s proposal today underscores both its willingness to compromise and its desire to reach a common
understanding with the federal agencies on these important issues to ensure successful reintroduction of fish in the project
area. We understand that PacifiCorp’s revised alternative proposal will not satisfy all parties, particularly those interested
in having PacifiCorp remove all the project dams; however, this alternative addresses our desire to be environmental stewards
and allows the company to continue to generate clean, reliable power for its customers.
"A lot of attention has been focused on FERC’s licensing process since the Departments of Interior and Commerce held their
trial-type hearing in Sacramento last August, but we continue to believe that a better long-term solution for reintroduction
of Klamath Basin salmon and steelhead could be achieved in a separate, more comprehensive settlement with all interested stakeholders,
including the federal agencies," he added.
PacifiCorp’s desire is to continue generating non-emissions producing energy on the Klamath River. Those facilities produce,
on average, enough electricity for 70,000 residential homes each year. Despite this, Fehrman noted that the company remains
open to a range of alternatives outside the licensing process as long as its customers’ interests are protected and the company’s
property rights are respected.
Media inquiries: newsdesk@pacificorp.com
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