The idea of building a dam was first proposed to federal regulators in a permit application filed in September 2014. In December 2014 American Whitewater intervened in the proceeding and filed comments in protest of this project and recommend against issuing a preliminary permit. We identified several deficiencies with the permit application which was a hastily assembled and poorly thought out plan. Despite the concerns we raised, federal regulators issued the permit allowing the developer to begin studies to further investigate the site. The developer proved unable to follow the basic requirements of maintaining his permit and missed deadlines resulting in the cancellation. 

 

In 1988, the Alaska State Legislature passed the Recreation Rivers Act, designating the Talkeetna River and Clear (Chunilna) Creek as Recreation Rivers. The Alaska Department of Natural Resources developed the Susitna Basin Recreation Rivers Management Plan. The plan outlines area-wide land and water management policies for shoreline development and provides direction for the state to “develop long-range guidelines and management priorities to ‘protect, maintain, or enhance the free flowing nature of the river.’” Accordingly, the plan prohibits dams on the main stem of the Talkeetna and its major tributaries. 

 

The proposed dam was to be constructed in the scenic canyon just downstream of the confluence of Disappointment Creek. The proposed reservoir would have flooded 4,454 acres and extended upstream above the confluence of Iron Creek. It would have destroyed the last section of whitewater on the run and a fun play spot and camping area that many groups use for their last night on the river at the mouth of Disappointment Creek.

 

While we are pleased that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission decided to cancel the permit we remain concerned that they issued a permit in the first place given the clear deficiencies in the original application, the questionable ability of the developer to develop a serious proposal, and the obvious conservation value of the Talkeetna River as recognized by the state of Alaska. We will continue our efforts in calling for a more rigorous review of preliminary permit applications for hydropower development that are filed.

 

Read the decision canceling the permit.