Improving the effectiveness of fisheries agencies in developing hydropower mitigation

Journal Article · · Fisheries; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8446(1990)015<0003:ITEOFA>2.0.CO;2· OSTI ID:6377369

Railsback, S F; Coutant, C C; Sale, M J ^[1]

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1. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)

New legislation and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulations increase the responsibilities of state and federal fisheries management agencies for developing mitigation for hydropower projects. Having participated in some of the first major licensing cases since these changes, the authors offer observations on how agencies can be more effective in recommending mitigation measures that protect fisheries. Fisheries agencies need access to expertise in fields outside traditional fisheries management to address diverse hydropower impacts. Agencies need effective policies that can be applied to the specific conditions at each project. Coordination and communication between regulatory and resource agencies and with project applicants are important to establish agreement on mitigation recommendations and to share expertise. Agencies will often need to make recommendations on issues for which complete information is not available; if carefully designed, such recommendations can be defensible and conservative. A thorough understanding of current FERC procedures and policies is essential. Many of these same recommendations for effective mitigation are included in the Fish and Wildlife Service's hydropower mitigation policy.

• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 6377369
• Journal Information: Fisheries; (USA), Journal Name: Fisheries; (USA) Vol. 15:3; ISSN 0363-2415; ISSN FISHD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

13 HYDRO ENERGY
130400* -- Hydro Energy-- Legislation &amp; Regulations
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
296000 -- Energy Planning &amp; Policy-- Electric Power
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
FISHERIES
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
LICENSING
MANAGEMENT
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
POWER PLANTS
US DOE
US DOI
US FERC
US FWS
US ORGANIZATIONS