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MELBA, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Power is working to improve water quality and habitat in parts of the Snake River upstream from dams in Hells Canyon.
The utility recently wrapped up a project to deepen a stretch of river and plant more than 18,000 trees near Walter's Ferry and other efforts in different parts of the river are expected, The Idaho Press-Tribune reported (http://bit.ly/2eJUpOp ).
"This is a pilot project to assess what the impact is of a project like this is in hopes that we can demonstrate that this is an effective way to improve the water quality in the river," said Idaho Power spokesman Brad Bowlin.
Bowlin said the Walter's Ferry project and others also are required in order to receive a federal license to operate dams in the Hells Canyon Complex.
Idaho Power operates three dams in the complex, which accounts for about 70 percent of the utility's hydroelectric power generation. When the company was first given a license to operate those dams in the late 1950s, the term was for 50 years. That license expired in 2005 and since then, Bowlin said the company has been operating on year-to-year licensing.
Bowlin said getting a longer license will take time as it requires fish monitoring and water quality measurements. The company has been working to meet those requirements and hope that the Walter's Ferry project and a larger stewardship program on the Snake River will help in being granted the longer-term license.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has received the company's application for a new license, but it is still waiting for water quality certifications from Oregon and Idaho, according to Celeste Miller, a media contact with FERC.
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Information from: Idaho Press-Tribune, http://www.idahopress.com
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