03-25-2008, 04:17 AM
I could really go on about this topic, but I'm going to keep it as short as possible. The Hook Canyon pump storage project has the potential to change the entire ecosystem of Bear Lake. It also has to potential to negatively affect every one of the four endemic species of fish in addition to cutthroat and other sport fish. First some facts: the plant would have daily intake/outflows of 18,400+ CFS (cubic feet per second). This is truely an incredible amount of flow. Think of the regular discharge below Flaming Gorge dam (800 CFS), now multiply that by 23 times! Do you think this might trap and kill larval fish? What about adults? (even it there were so-called fish screens over the intake/outflow. Another fact, the tunnel between the reservoir would be 30-40 feet in diameter and discharge/intake the water at about 120 feet in depth. Out of sight-out of mind? I think not. The majority of Bear Lake whitefish live at depths of 120 feet and deeper. Do you think this flow/suction might have an effect on the thermocline? What about ice formation? The entire surface of Bear Lake is supposed to vary about 3" up and down per day. This is a lot of moving water. Bear Lake's surface area is about 112 square miles! Finally, one more fact: The energy company proposing this pump-storage plant's Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O.) is proposing the have the "environmental studies" conducted by the environmental consulting company that he owns! Yes, the energy company is operated by the environmental consultant. Do you think that is conflict of interest? Finally, the plant is 80% efficient if you read the fine print in the company's literature. That means it will consume 20% more power than it produces. The key is it will produce power at high demand times (day time) and that power can be sold for more than what it cost to buy the extra 20% to run it. It is an energy "sink" not a "producer". Seems logical that the only ones who will benefit will be the owners of the plant who can sell energy at higher prices.
I've gave you some facts and a few questions to think about. I did not answer any of the questions since I want you to think about the answers! The enviromental risks are high for Bear Lake which contains 4 endemic species of fish (none of which are currently listed under the Endangered Species Act due to hard work the UDWR) I can only speak for fish, since that is my specialty, but this plant also has the potential to affect wildlife such as sage grouse, deer, etc. The company claims it will give them a place for watering, true, but what about migration routes, extra traffic to and from the reservoir. Will the reservoir be made accessible to the public? I don't know. Will it even be safe if the public had access? I'd hate to be sucked through a 40' diameter pipe! My biggest concern is how are we going to know for certain whether this plant (if permitted) will not negatively affect the uniqueness of Bear Lake? The answer is that I'm not sure it can be done!
The Federal Energy Regulatory Process is lengthy and time consuming. The public can become involved. The first scoping meeting will be held on April 9th in Montpelier, ID in the evening. Also you can go to the FERC webpage and read more about it. [url "http://www.ferc.gov"]www.ferc.gov[/url] The Hook Canyon Plant is docket number #12707. Please let FERC know what you think of this. Now is the time to respond. Bear Lake is too unique and the risks are too great for such a project here. It might be suited better for somewhere else. FERC is a pro-power agency and it looks like we will be spending a lot of time sitting in meetings defending the resources in relation to this proposed plant, rather than doing on the ground work for the betterment of the fishery resources of Bear Lake. A few words come to mind, but I need to remain calm....breath in and out.
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I've gave you some facts and a few questions to think about. I did not answer any of the questions since I want you to think about the answers! The enviromental risks are high for Bear Lake which contains 4 endemic species of fish (none of which are currently listed under the Endangered Species Act due to hard work the UDWR) I can only speak for fish, since that is my specialty, but this plant also has the potential to affect wildlife such as sage grouse, deer, etc. The company claims it will give them a place for watering, true, but what about migration routes, extra traffic to and from the reservoir. Will the reservoir be made accessible to the public? I don't know. Will it even be safe if the public had access? I'd hate to be sucked through a 40' diameter pipe! My biggest concern is how are we going to know for certain whether this plant (if permitted) will not negatively affect the uniqueness of Bear Lake? The answer is that I'm not sure it can be done!
The Federal Energy Regulatory Process is lengthy and time consuming. The public can become involved. The first scoping meeting will be held on April 9th in Montpelier, ID in the evening. Also you can go to the FERC webpage and read more about it. [url "http://www.ferc.gov"]www.ferc.gov[/url] The Hook Canyon Plant is docket number #12707. Please let FERC know what you think of this. Now is the time to respond. Bear Lake is too unique and the risks are too great for such a project here. It might be suited better for somewhere else. FERC is a pro-power agency and it looks like we will be spending a lot of time sitting in meetings defending the resources in relation to this proposed plant, rather than doing on the ground work for the betterment of the fishery resources of Bear Lake. A few words come to mind, but I need to remain calm....breath in and out.
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