Dam Relicensing Study Ready For Comments

Thu., Nov. 18, 1999

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Cabinet Gorge and Noxon Rapids dams has been released by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

The federal agency is accepting comments over the next 45 days on the proposal to relicense the two dams owned by Avista, formerly Washington Water Power. The document discusses the environmental impacts of three alternatives; no action, the collaborative alternative and the staff recommended alternative.

The collaborative alternative is the one developed by the Clark Fork Relicensing Team - a broad group of agency, environmental, public and industry representatives.

As part of a settlement agreement between 27 parties affected by the relicensing, Avista has agreed to spend more than $220 million over the next 45 years on environmental, cultural and recreation improvements linked to the dams.

A copy of the draft impact statement is available for review at the Sandpoint Library reference desk.

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Dam Relicensing Study Ready For Comments

Jesse Tinsley

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