California Hydropower

NHI represents conservation groups and public agencies in relicensing proceedings throughout California.  Our general objective is that each new license will enhance anadromous and riverine fisheries, riparian habitat, and recreation. 

 
Fisheries Restoration.  Although hydropower and other dams block anadromous fish from 95% of their historic habitat in California’s Central Valley rivers, fish ladders may not be effective at many of these dams.  The Oroville Project settlement (2006) commits the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and Pacific Gas and Electric Company to enhance natural passage and habitat for chinook salmon and steelhead at the most effective locations in the Sacramento Valley, even if off-site from their projects on the Feather River.

 
Comprehensive Settlements.  NHI helped develop and now implements a form of relicensing settlement that resolves all disputes related to a project.  One part proposes licensing conditions that FERC will enforce upon approval, while another part establishes contractual commitments that resolve issues outside of FERC’s jurisdiction.  For example, the Oroville settlement commits DWR to provide $61 million to a community development fund for expenditure outside of project boundaries.  The fund, which will be administered by the City of Oroville, other local stakeholders, and our client American Rivers will consider and implement options to enhance riverine tourism from Oroville Dam downstream fifteen miles to the confluence with the Sacramento River.  This promises to result in the longest boating trail in California.

 Contact: Richard Roos-Collins