Federal Licensing
On the record: What we can do, and how we do it safely
Back in 1920, the Federal Power Act (FPA) gave FERC exclusive authority to license all nonfederal hydroelectric projects located on navigable waterways or federal lands within the United States. Here's the document that explains what we can do in our dam developments, and what protection, mitigation, and enhancement measures we're obligated to undertake to address environmental impacts.
Summary
- The Spokane River Project, FERC No. 2545, consists of five hydroelectric developments, one in Idaho, the Post Falls Hydroelectric Development, and four in Washington, the Upper Falls, Monroe Street, Nine Mile, and Long Lake Hydroelectric Developments.
- On June 18, 2009 the FERC issued Avista a 50-year License for its 137 megawatt Spokane River Hydroelectric Project.
- Avista’s Environmental Affairs Department works closely with its Generation and Production, and Power Supply departments as it fulfills environmental and operational obligations identified in the License and numerous Settlement Agreements.
- We address issues related to the Coeur d’Alene Lake level, Spokane River flows, fisheries, bald eagles, recreation, water quality monitoring, erosion control, wetlands, cultural resources, sediments, aesthetic flows, and aquatic weeds control.
Spokane River License Application
Post Falls License Application
June 2009 Spokane River Project License
Recreation management settlement agreements, work plans, reports, and bathymetry maps
In 1999, Avista and 26 other parties signed the Clark Fork Settlement Agreement, setting the course for over 40 years of protection, mitigation, and enhancement of natural resources in the lower Clark Fork Lake Pend Oreille Area. Keep reading for details.
About our license implementation work:
- Ranges from endangered species protection and land conservation to recreation site maintenance.
- Overarching goals include the protection, mitigation and enhancement of fish and wildlife populations and associated habitats within the lower Clark Fork River – Lake Pend Oreille basin.
How we share information:
- No later than April 15 of each year, Avista submits an Annual Report and Annual Implementation Plans detailing the year's upcoming projects.
- Projects are identified annually, and are reviewed by committees of stakeholders, who continue to share their knowledge and move implementation forward. Committee meetings are open to the public.
Committee meetings:
- Clark Fork Management Committee
March 14 & 15, 2023 - Water Resources Technical Advisory Committee (WRTAC)
January 18, 2023 - Terrestrial Resources Technical Advisory Committee (TRTAC)
January 19, 2023
Key license implementation documents are available from Avista. Please contact Lisa Johnson or call our Noxon Natural Resource Office at (406) 847-1288 for information.