Our Environment Documents
Spokane River Project
As part of the Spokane River Project License, we implement three Aquatic Weed Management Programs in consultation with various regulators, agency partners, and stakeholders.
Work Plans and Reports associated with each of the three programs include the following:
Lake Spokane and Nine Mile Reservoir Aquatic Weed Management Program
Regulators, agency partners, and stakeholders – Washington Department of Ecology, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Parks, Stevens County Conservation District, Stevens County Noxious Weed Control Board, Spokane County Conservation District, Spokane County Noxious Weed Control Board, Lincoln County Weed Control Board, and the Lake Spokane Association.
- 2019 Aquatic Weed Annual Summary Report (dated February 25, 2020)
- 2018 Aquatic Weed Annual Summary Report (dated February 22, 2019)
- 2017 Aquatic Weed Annual Summary Report (dated February 26, 2018)
Coeur d’Alene Lake Aquatic Weed Management Plan for Non-Tribal Waters
Regulators, agency partners, and stakeholders – Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Heyburn State Park, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Idaho State Department of Agriculture, Kootenai County Noxious Weed Control Board, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
- 2019 Aquatic Weed Annual Summary Report (dated February 28, 2020)
- 2018 Aquatic Weed Annual Summary Report (dated February 28, 2019)
- 2017 Aquatic Weed Annual Summary Report (dated February 27, 2018)
Coeur d’Alene Lake Reservation Aquatic Weed Management Plan
Regulators, agency partners, and stakeholders – Coeur d’Alene Tribe and the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Annual Work Plans and Summary Reports are not required. Information is available upon request by email or call us at (509) 495-4084.
Avista holds annual meetings, typically in the winter and spring, to gather input and to provide information about implementing the three aquatic weed management programs. These meetings are essential in that they provide information exchanges that often lead to a more common understanding of the current invasive aquatic weed(s) of concern and how to effectively control these weeds in a cost-effective manner. Avista and its partners have also found that by sharing costs and information they can often accomplish more effective weed control programs with limited resources.
- Bald eagle monitoring report
- Bald eagle management plan (filed on May 7, 2010)
As part of our Bald Eagle Management Plan, we hold annual meetings with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. During the meetings, we discuss the results of the previous season's monitoring effort and make adjustments to the next year's monitoring, surveying, and investigation methods if needed.
For more information about Avista's Bald Eagle Management Program, email or call us at (509) 495-8340.
As part of the Spokane River Project License, we are implementing erosion control programs in consultation with various regulators, agency partners, and stakeholders.
Work plans and reports associated with each of these programs, along with agencies and stakeholders, include the following:
Post Falls Hydroelectric Development Shorelines off the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation
Agencies and Stakeholders: the Benewah Soil & Water Conservation District, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the Kootenai-Shoshone Soil & Water Conservation District, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Post Falls Hydroelectric Development Shorelines within the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation
- Coeur d'Alene Reservation Erosion Control Implementation Plan, 2014
- Coeur d’Alene Reservation Lake and Tributary Shoreline Erosion Control Inventory and Assessment Plan (available upon request due to size)
Agencies and Stakeholders are the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and the U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs
Since 2010, we have developed and are implementing numerous work plans that guide our actions on the Spokane River and in the Coeur d'Alene Lake Basin. On an annual basis, we consult with state and federal fisheries agencies and interest groups to ensure our plans accomplish agreed upon actions.
Work Plans and Reports associated with each of the fisheries programs include the following:
Upper Falls, Monroe Street, Nine Mile, and Long Lake (Lake Spokane) Hydroelectric Developments, and the Spokane River
- Revised Lake Spokane Fishery Enhancement and Creel Survey Plan Pursuant to Article 406, March 15, 2013
- Middle Spokane River Baseline Fish Population Assessment Final Report 2012
- Upper Falls and Nine Mile Reservoir Rainbow Trout Stocking Plan
- Middle Spokane River Baseline Fish Population Assessment Annual Progress Report 2011
- Lake Spokane Creel Survey 2011
- Lake Spokane Fishery Enhancement and Creel Survey Plan June 11, 2010
Post Falls (Coeur d’Alene Lake) Hydroelectric Development and the Upper Spokane River
- Five-Year Fishery Protection and Enhancement Plan, 2015-2019
- Five-Year Fishery Protection and Enhancement Plan, 2010-2014 Summary Report
- 2014 Spokane River Water Temperature and Discharge Flow Monitoring Report
- Upper Spokane River Rainbow Trout Spawning and Fry Emergence Protection 2014 Annual Report
- Upper Spokane River Rainbow Trout Spawning and Fry Emergence Protection Plan, dated August 28, 2014
- Upper Spokane River Redband Trout Spawning and Fry Emergence Study Annual Progress Report 2012
- Spokane River Ramping Rate Evaluation Report 2012
- Fishery Protection and Enhancement Plan
- Upper Spokane River Rainbow Trout Spawning and Fry Emergence Protection Plan June 8, 2010
- Predator Fish Removal Analysis, Lower St. Joe River, Idaho, 2009-2011
- Spokane River Water Temperature and Discharge Flow Monitoring Plan 2010, June 11, 2010
Avista worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, as it developed the Spokane River Land Use Management Plan.
The Plan describes land uses within the Project boundary, including terrestrial, recreational, and cultural resources. It also includes natural resource protection and public access policies and management actions that apply to the use of Avista owned Project lands.
Spokane River Project
- Spokane River Land Use
As part of the Spokane River Project License, we are implementing the Spokane River Project Recreation Plan (Plan). The Plan includes a description of Avista’s obligations for all five of its Idaho and Washington Hydroelectric Developments.
We hold annual and semi-annual meetings with our partners to determine recreation project priorities, to go over the upcoming year’s plans and to collaborate in the planning, design, and construction of new recreation projects.
Specific work plans and reports associated with the overall Plan, along with associated regulators, agency partners, and stakeholders include the following:
Spokane River Hydroelectric Developments (Upper Falls, Monroe Street, Nine Mile, and Long Lake)
- Amended Spokane River and Post Falls Hydroelectric Developments Recreation Plan
- Spokane River and Post Falls Developments Recreation Plan
- Spokane River Project Recreation Monitoring Report
Regulators, agency partners, and stakeholders: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Post Falls Hydroelectric Development
- Spokane River Trailer Park Wave Assessment Report
- Spokane River Trailer Park Wave Assessment Report Supplemental
- Submittal of the Lake Spokane Boat-in-Only Campsite Locations as required by FERC's 10/24/2011 Order
Regulators, agency partners, and stakeholders: Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Kootenai County Parks and Waterways, Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, Idaho State Historic Preservation Office, U. S. Forest Service, Post Falls Parks and Recreation, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Interpretation and Education Plan
Avista’s Interpretation and Education Plan provides the basis for interpreting the natural and historic features associated with Avista’s Idaho and Washington hydroelectric developments. The Interpretation and Education Plan includes important public safety information that if followed will help provide for a safe and enjoyable experience while recreating.
Regulators, agency partners, and stakeholders: Idaho Fish and Game, Kootenai County Parks and Waterways, Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, Idaho State Historic Preservation Office, U. S. Forest Service, Post Falls Parks and Recreation, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The primary elements of the recreation management settlement agreements include:
Monitoring
Avista conducts extensive public use surveys at each of its hydroelectric developments every six years. These surveys allow Avista and the agency partners to assess public recreational experiences and to determine trends in behavior and use over the long term.
Management
Avista works with multiple partners to manage its recreation facilities. To accomplish this, Avista has entered into settlement agreements with the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Kootenai County Parks and Waterways, Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, and the City of Coeur d’Alene. Avista also has contracts with the City of Post Falls to manage Q’emlin and Falls Parks in Post Falls, ID and with Washington State Parks to manage public recreation its Nine Mile and Lake Spokane properties, located in Washington.
Settlement Agreements:
- R-36451 U.S. Bureau of Land Management
- R-37277 USDA Forest Service
- R-35529 Kootenai County Parks and Waterways
- R-36978 Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation
- R-35677 Idaho Department of Fish and Game
- R-35556 City of Coeur d’Alene Parks Department
Management Agreements:
- 2005-0564 City of Post Falls Parks and Recreation
- R-20103 Washington State Department of Natural Resources
- 2007-0022 Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
As part of the Spokane River Project License, Avista is implementing water quality mitigation measures in consultation with various regulators, agency partners, and stakeholders.
Work plans, analyses, monitoring plans, and annual monitoring/summary reports associated with the water quality mitigation measures identified in the License are posted, and available for download. These include:
Total Dissolved Gases (TDG)
Long Lake HED- Long Lake Dam Spillway Modification Project Environmental Report, August 5, 2015
- Long Lake Dam TDG Water Quality Attainment Plan, July 2010
- Long Lake Dam TDG Gas Abatement Phase II Feasibility Study, August 2010
- Long Lake Dam TDG Abatement Feasibility Phase III Physical Model Study, 2011 Interim Report
- Long Lake Dam TDG Annual Monitoring Report
Nine Mile HED
- Long Lake and Nine Mile Total Dissolved Gas Monitoring Plan, March 26, 2010
- Nine Mile HED TDG 2011 Annual Monitoring Report, February 16, 2012
- Nine Mile HED Total Dissolved Gas Monitoring Report 2019
- Nine Mile Dam Total Dissolved Gas Monitoring Report 2022
Post Falls HED
- Post Falls HED TDG Control and Mitigation Program, June 11, 2010
- Post Falls HED TDG Annual Monitoring Report
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
Long Lake HED Tailrace Waters- Long Lake HED Tailrace DO Monitoring Plan, April 8, 2010
- Detailed Dissolved Oxygen Phase II Feasibility and Implementation Plan, June 14, 2010
- Phase II Long Lake HED DO Improvement Project Report, February 7, 2011
- Five-Year Long Lake HED Tailrace Dissolved Oxygen Monitoring Report, April 14, 2015
- Long Lake HED Tailrace DO Annual Monitoring Report
Lake Spokane
- Potential Reasonable and Feasible Improvements and/or Mitigation Measures for Dissolved Oxygen in Lake Spokane, December 28, 2009
- Lake Spokane DO Water Quality Attainment Plan, October 8, 2012
- Lake Spokane DO Water Quality Attainment Plan Annual, Five and Eight Year Reports
- Lake Spokane DO Water Quality Attainment Plan Ten Year Report, May 2022
Coeur d’Alene Lake (non-Tribal waters)
Coeur d’Alene Lake (Tribal waters)
- Coeur d'Alene Reservation Water Quality Monitoring Plan, 4(e) Condition No. 5, May 11, 2015
- Coeur d’Alene Reservation Water Quality Monitoring, Annual Summary Reports, 4(e) Condition No. 5
- Coeur d’Alene Reservation Water Quality Monitoring Plan, 4(e) Condition No. 5, June 18, 2010
Temperature
Long Lake HED- Long Lake Dam Reservoir and Tailrace Temperature Water Quality Attainment Plan, January 25, 2011
- Long Lake HED Annual Temperature Monitoring Report
For more information about Avista’s Water Quality Management Programs, please email or call us at (509) 495-4651.
As part of the Spokane River Project License, we are implementing three Wetland and Riparian Habitat Plans.
- Five-Year Wetland and Riparian Habitat Protection and Enhancement Plan for Idaho
- Five-Year Wetland and Riparian Habitat Protection and Enhancement 2010-2014 Summary Report
These two plans were developed in consultation with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
This plan was developed in cooperation with the Coeur d’Alene Tribe.
This plan was developed in consultation with the Washington Department of Ecology, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
For more information about Avista's Wetland programs, please email or call us at (509) 495-8340.