Cabinet Gorge Fish Passage Project Clark Fork Project FERC Project No. 2058 October 4, 2019 The Relicensing Process In the Beginning: • 1996 Avista issues public announcement inviting interested parties to participate in a collaborative relicensing for Cabinet Gorge and Noxon Rapids. • July 1996 first public meeting - Noxon High School. Over 60 participants attended: State and Federal Agencies Native American Tribes NGOs Local Residents Avista • Clark Fork Relicensing Team (CFRT) formed and identified 5 working groups: – Fisheries Working Group – Water Resources Working Group – Wildlife, Botanical, and Wetlands Working Group – Cultural Resources Working Group – Land Use, Recreation, and Aesthetics Working Group • Working groups research topics, develop study plans, provide direction to the work and bring results back to the larger group (Plenary). Relicensing . Relicensing process began - 1996 . Clark Fork Settlement Agreement signed - 1999 . EA completed - 1999 . License issued - 2/23/2000 . Reached comprehensive SA with all parties . Collaboratively prepared EA and license application . First on-time modern relicensing of a large project . Implementation began in early 1999 . 45-year license effective March 1, 2001 Native Salmonid Restoration Plan • An examination of five major factors that may influence the success of restoration activities: genetics, pathogens, exotic species, native fish distribution; and the suitability of current and potentially available habitat. • Ultimately, a consideration of permanent fish passage based on the success of implementation of the NSRP. Bull Trout Passage . Bull Trout Listed in 1998 . Began implementation of NSRP in 1999 . Goal: Reconnect migratory populations in the lower Clark Fork River . Montana and Idaho fish transport permitting requirements Upstream Fish Capture Methods Amendment to CFSA . Amendment No. 1 to CFSA signed in 2018 . Stakeholder agreement on final design . Provide safe, timely, and effective fish passage Cabinet Gorge Dam Fishway Cofferdam Construction General Operating Limits Maximum draft rate: • Daily: 1.63 feet (April 28) • Weekly: 2.22 feet (June 9) General Operating Limits General Operating Limits July 23 and 24 no flow events • Needed two days of no flow for up to 12 hours each day for divers to safely prepare the “foundation” for the cofferdam • Notified the “designated contacts” on May 17 with proposed BMPs • Worked with stakeholders and distributed final BMPs on June 24 Best Management Practices 1. Public notification 2. Stakeholder notification 3. Monitoring and mitigation 4. Operational endeavors and requirements July 23 and 24 no flow events July 23 and 24 no flow events July 23 and 24 no flow events July 23 and 24 no flow events 0 cfs to 23,000 cfs • USGS gage = Δ 95” • RR bridge = Δ 18” QUESTIONS?.