The Options
Options which have been pursued by the Research and
Options Committees
Options within the FERC license
(1) Diversion Dam
The present diversion dam was designed and built in 1911.
The sole purpose of this dam (when designed) was to divert water into Lake
Tapps. Today it is used to divert fish into the fish trap and to control
flow down the White River Bypass. The fish trap is required by the (a)
Army Corps of Engineers to transport fish up river around Mud Mountain Dam and
(b) by the Muckleshoots to trap some of their Hatchery fish. The present
dam design was not designed to handle high flow rates (PSE claims over 180 cfs
may be critical for extended periods). During flood conditions it is
designed to collapse and, therefore, makes the fish trap unusable. When
this happens the dam is rebuilt using timbers from a local mill. Per the
FERC license and requests made by State and Federal agencies, the flow rates
would have to be higher (than 180 cfs) to maintain the White River Bypass at the
levels necessary for the salmon. These fish requirements dictate a
different dam design which is in the FERC license. We feel this is a
requirement which should be taken care of by the Army Corps of Engineers or
others.
(2) Hatchery Costs
PSE has already provided the hatchery and operational costs.
There are other government and private groups that are depriving the salmon of
their habitat and environment. These groups should be contributing to the
operational, maintenance, and expansion costs for the hatchery.
(3) White River Bypass Flow rate Requirements
Perhaps one of the most controversial requirements in the FERC
license is the monthly flow rates of water required in the bypass. Most of
these numbers have been estimated based on maximum fish count which may occur in
any one month yet the conditions change. For example the "Spring
Chinook" run (up the river) has been later year after year until it has
become more of a summer run today. We believe these numbers need to be
flexible to accommodate the salmon when they need the water and when they do not
need the water it should be used for generating power.
(4) Ramping Rates
Ramping rate is a term used to define the change in water flow
created by shutting down or starting up the generators in the White River Power
Station. These changes in water flow are most notably observed downstream
of the generators where abrupt changes in water levels can occur if the
generator shutdowns are abrupt and not controlled. There have been
questions raised as to (a) whether there is a problem to the fish and (b) If
there is, how much control is required during shutdown.
(5) Tailrace
Salmon are attracted up the tailrace (power station outlet) by
scent and higher water flow rates. They then are confused by the dead end
created by the turbines. Many salmon will stay there for extended periods
not knowing what to do. The FERC license requires a "Tailrace
Barrier" at the junction where the tailrace runs into the White River.
There have been questions raised as to (a) Is this really a problem and (b) If
it is, what type of barrier would be suitable?
(6) Other FERC Requirements
There are many requirements in the FERC license which are meant
to take care of recreational problems, environmental issues and fish and
wildlife management which we feel could be handled by other agencies. For
example: (a) the boat management plan, (b) the wildlife management, (c) the
raptor protection, (d) fishery enhancement, (e) etc.
Options other than those in the FERC license
Municipal Owned Power Station or Rural Cooperative Owned Power
Station
Both of these options and various scenarios under these options
are being reviewed by the Research and Options Committees. There are
problems and there are benefits to both, all of which have not been identified.
Ongoing discussions with state and local organizations are continuing in this
area. We are planning to discuss these options with PSE in the very near
future.
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