(PORTLAND, OR) -- Federal, State and
Tribal partners have come together to develop an agreement on a key component
of operating federal dams in the Columbia River Basin. Parties to the agreement
have aligned on a flexible spring spill operation premised on achieving
improved salmon survival while also managing costs in hydropower generation.
Key supporters of the agreement are jointly issuing this statement:
“Collaboration is key to this new
approach to Columbia River system management. Working together, the region’s
states, tribes, and federal agencies have developed an approach that
demonstrates environmental stewardship and affordable sustainable energy are not
mutually exclusive.”
The agreement Parties are the states of
Oregon and Washington, the Nez Perce Tribe, the Bonneville Power
Administration, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation. In
addition, the states of Idaho and Montana reviewed the agreement and are
supportive of the flexible operation.
The agreement covers up to three years
of fish passage spill operations at eight lower Columbia and Snake River dams.
During this time, the agreement avoids litigation while the co-lead agencies
complete the Columbia River System Operations Environmental Impact Statement
Records of Decision.
The agreement calls for flexible spill
operations that meet three objectives: provide additional fish benefits by
increasing spill; manage power system costs and preserve hydro system
flexibility; and retain operational feasibility. Specifically, these operations
involve increased spill during certain times of the day for fish migration and
lesser amounts for the hours when hydropower production is needed most.
The parties have agreed to engage in a
transparent and collaborative manner to implement this agreement. This
agreement is an important step forward for the parties and the region. Rather
than focusing on our differences, we are working together on our shared
objectives of improving salmon passage and providing affordable hydropower for
the region’s electricity consumers.
