Today the proponents of a hydropower project on the Cuyahoga River sent the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission a letter withdrawing their permit request. The proposed project would have dewatered a local paddling spot called Butterfly Rapids, impacted a public park, and assured the maintenance of a dam that has long been a prime candidate for removal based on its environmental and recreational impacts.

Currently Kaukauna Utilities is applying for a new license to increase capacity at the Badger Rapide Croche Hydroelectric Project. We are working with the National Park Service Hydropower Assistance Program to conduct a survey of instream flow needs for recreation. If you boat the Fox River you can help by taking the survey today.

Last week Senator Feingold (D-WI) reintroduced the Clean Water Restoration Act (CWRA), S. 787. This legislation will maintain the basic protection for rivers that we all appreciate and likely take for granted through restoring the reach of the Clean Water Act to headwater streams. We would like to thank Senator Feingold for looking out for one of our most basic human needs - clean water. Please call your Senator in the next week and voice your support.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved the first installation of a hydrokinetic device at an existing FERC-licensed hydroelectric project, to be located on the Mississippi River. AW is supportive of testing new hydrokinetic "damless hydropower" technology and we are working to assure that the technology will be responsibly sited and operated only in cases in which the environment and public uses will be protected.

At the request of American Whitewater and with some help from FERC, Kaukauna Utilities now publishes information on instream flows in the reach of the Fox River bypassed by their hydroelectric project on the Fox River. This should allow us to begin an evaluation of impacts of a proposal to expand capacity of the project and divert additional water from the river.