How Benthic Biologists (and others) Can Have an Impact on Instream Flow Assessments
During Relicensing of Hydroelectric Dams in the U.S.A.
By Todd C. Folsom
This is a colorful tutorial in how to understand the complex process of
relicensing hydroelectric dams under the rules of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(the FERC). If you are interested in conserving aquatic resources, participating in
instream flow assessments and helping the FERC balance power production values with
non-power resource values, then read on.
This presentation is "reprinted" from a talk I gave at the Instream Flow
Workshop of the NABS 1995 annual meeting in Keystone, CO. Instream flow studies are
typically conducted below hydro dams as a means of deciding how much water should remain
in the river for the benefit of fishes and other aquatic life (as well as for recreation).
These studies are the key evidence that will be used in setting minimum flows, temporal
distribution of flows and sometimes upper flow limits for the next thirty to forty years.
Therefore, the relicensing of a hydro dam is a key conservation event for a river, at
least within the working lifetimes of most of us.
I have added this presentation to the NABS web site so that others may benefit from the
experience I gained in hydro relicensing. I believe that public policy benefits from
informed citizens who are able to take an active interest in public decision-making. The
information presented here does not represent any endorsement or position of the North
American Benthological Society (NABS). The original 1995 presentation was completed while
I worked at the Duke Power Company, but does not necessarily represent any position of
that company.
Before you get started...
The images on the following forty-some pages are rather large. That was necessary to
preserve the best resolution in the conversion from the original Microsoft Powerpoint
format. Unfortunately that means downloading may be slow, particularly for those with
modem connections. To help provide a text-based alternative, I included my speaking notes
below the images. Sometimes when I was just following the text on the slide, the notes are
identical. At other points, there is additional information in the notes at the bottom.
Anybody is welcome to download the images and notes for use in college courses or other
non-profit activities. I ask that you include the title image with all copies. If you
would like to purchase copies of the original 43 slides plus script, you may contact the
NABS Conservation Committee. The price is $25 for the cost of duplicating and mailing (as
of 1996).
|
