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Department of Ecology News Release - June 10, 2008
08-158
SPOKANE - The river actually will “run through it” under a new regimen that requires more water to flow down the Spokane River into Washington and through the falls downtown.
After a 30-day public review period, including a formal public hearing, the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) has submitted a “401 Water Quality Certification” to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for Avista’s four Washington dams.
The document, similar to a permit, was written to ensure that Avista’s dams will be operated in a way that protects water quality in the Spokane River. With the help of the public, the final permit ensures:
The dams include the Upper Falls Dam, the Monroe Street Dam, the Nine Mile Dam and Long Lake Dam on Lake Spokane.
The 401 Certification is required before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission can approve Avista’s new license to operate the four dams in Washington. Licenses are renewed after 30 to 50 years.
The 401 certification refers to Section 401 of the Federal Clean Water Act and includes ways for Avista to comply with state water-quality standards and other relevant state regulations protecting the environment.
The re-licensing process began in 2002. Ecology has involved interested parties since that time. In consultation with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, other fish agencies, tribes and the public, Avista and Ecology have identified activities designed to avoid, minimize or compensate for the effects of the dams’ operation on water quality and aquatic resources.
Hydropower dams and facilities impound rivers, spill water, and change stream flows. This can alter fish habitat, encourage algae growth, increase water temperature, and increase dissolved gas generated by water spilling over dams. The gas can cause “gas bubble trauma” in fish.
“This certification is one element of a larger plan to clean up the Spokane River,” said Grant Pfeifer, who manages Ecology’s Eastern Washington office in Spokane. “The falls will be more beautiful, and the water will be cleaner--plus we’ll see more of it.
“The public gave us meaningful comments on the draft certification that allowed us to make it stronger and clearer and more protective of the river,” Pfeifer added.
Avista will have 10 years to fulfill the requirements in the certification. This compliance schedule is especially important for implementing dissolved gas control measures and evaluating the effects of flow fluctuations on the Spokane River. It includes plans to monitor, evaluate, report and implement conditions designed to demonstrate that the dams are complying or will comply with state water-quality standards.
Another goal of the 401 Certification is to achieve the flows that residents and visitors want to see. The document contains aesthetic flow requirements. Under the permit, downtown visitors and local residents will see more water flowing through the North Channel, which is currently dry for much of the summer. The increase would take place at 10 a.m. until 30 minutes after sunset.
In general, minimum flows during dry times, would increase by approximately 300 cubic feet per second. This amounts to about 2,250 gallons per second of increased flow.
The 401 requires Avista to do its share to increase the amount of dissolved oxygen in Lake Spokane to support a healthy fish population. Fish depend on oxygen to breathe. Avista’s actions and the schedule itself will be consistent with the community’s phosphorus reduction plan called Foundational Concepts. This document is included within the 401 Certification.
Significant water quality improvements are required before a major review is conducted in 10 years. Avista will continue to work towards quantifying the company’s contribution to the dissolved oxygen problem. Avista also plans to modify the structures inside Long Lake Dam to decrease the total dissolved gas that is released on the downstream side.
The 401 Water-Quality Certification is available on-line at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/ferc/draft-wq_certs.html
Editor’s note: The certification will be available on line today after 1 p.m.
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Media Contacts:
Jani Gilbert, Ecology Communications, 509-329-3495; cell,
509-990-9177; or e-mail, jagi461@ecy.wa.gov
Cathy Cochrane, Ecology Communications, 509-329-3433; cell, 509-290-0685; or
e-mail, ccoc461@ecy.wa.gov
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
