Groups Hail Rules For Dam License

Thu., June 17, 1999

From Staff

River recreation groups are hailing the new license for the Moyie River Hydroelectric Project as a victory for boaters and visitors to Moyie Falls.

On June 9, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a new license for the hydroelectric dam that serves the city of Bonners Ferry.

The new license requires the city to release 9 cubic feet of water per second over the falls from 8 a.m. until dusk during weekends in June, July and August. Under the expired license, all the water could be routed through the power plant, which left Moyie Falls dry for months at a time.

“It’s gratifying to know that locals and visitors alike will be able to visit Moyie Falls on summer weekends and see a waterfall, not a rock wall,” said Liz Paul of Idaho Rivers United.

Peter Grubb of Rivers Odysseys West Inc., also praised the changes.

The license calls for placing portable toilets at the boater take-out, vehicle access to the upper end of the reservoir and take-out site, and the placement of signs.

The city agreed to put a trash can and picnic table at the take-out, and sponsor a community wide clean-up of the site each spring. The city also is installing goose nesting boxes at the site.

The original license was issued in 1949. It was the first of several hydroelectric projects in Idaho to be relicensed.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.