Paddler Alert – Clackamas River, Oregon
Subject: Hydropower Relicensing Oak Grove & North Fork Hydroelectric Projects
FERC Public Outreach Meetings
DATE: February 6, 2001 Two World Trade Center – Mezzanine Level
121 West Salmon Street, Portland, OR
TIME: 9 am – Noon
DATE: February 6, 2001 Mt. Hood National Forest, Clackamas River District Office
595 N. W. Industrial Way, Estacada, OR
TIME: 7 pm – 9 pm
Site Visits
Site visits can be scheduled by contacting: Mr. David Heintzman
Portland General Electric (3WTC-BRHL)
121 SW Salmon Street
Portland, OR 97204
503-464-8162
The purpose of these meetings: to receive input on the environmental issues, take statements from experts (WW boaters) and the public on issues, identify those issues that require a detailed analysis, solicit all available information, especially quantifiable data on the resources at issue.
Marks New Stage in Ongoing Relicense Proceeding:
These scoping meetings kick off a FERC stage in the ongoing relicense proceeding for the Oak Grove and North Fork hydropower plants on the Clackamas River. The public meetings provide an opportunity for the whitewater community to lobby FERC staff to consider all values of the river in their environmental analysis including whitewater recreation. It’s important that FERC see boaters raising these issues at the meeting to ensure our interest. Encourage FERC to consider a wide range of alternatives meeting whitewater needs. It’s extremely important for members of the whitewater community to be present at the public meetings.
Thus far American Whitewater, with the help of local paddlers, has identified flow, access and recreational facility issues along the Clackamas. These projects effect flows at Bob’s Hole. During last years rodeo the utility worked with the boating community to provide flows suitable for the event. We would like this to continue. The projects also have the potential to negatively effect boating flows during the late summer on the Three Lynx section (Soggy Sneakers page 178) and dewaters the Cazadero section below North Fork Reservoir near Estacada. Access is limited to this section by PGE gated roads. Studies are underway in the relicensing process to investigate these issues and develop operational alternatives as solutions.
Key Comments to make at Public Meetings:
· FERC must consider a range of alternatives for each hydropower facility
· Alternatives must include objective environmental analysis of all river uses particularly listed beneficial uses such as whitewater
· Point out the Issues for whitewater: Flows, access, and recreational facilities.
Written comments will be accepted through March 7, 2001. Comments should be addressed to:
Mr. David Heintzman
Portland General Electric (3WTC-BRHL)
21 SW Salmon Street
Portland, OR 97204
All comments must identify the Project on the first page as: Clackamas River Hydroelectric Relicensing, Oak Grove Project – FERC No. 135, and North Fork Project – FERC No. 2195.
American Whitewater will be filing formal comments by March 7th. We encourage local paddling groups to coordinate with American Whitewater. Please contact John Gangemi, American Whitewater Conservation Director as soon as possible if you are able to attend this meeting or would like to sign onto American Whitewater’s comments.
Contact: John Gangemi
Conservation Director
482 Electric Avenue
Bigfork, MT 59911
E-mail: jgangemi@digisys.net
Phone / fax: 406-837-3155 / 3156