Number: 1984-02
WHEREAS, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation have proposed to modify hydropower facilities at several existing large dams including Lewis and Clark Lake, Nebraska and South Dakota; Libby Dam, Montana; Hoover Dam, Nevada; Fort Gibson Lake, Oklahoma; McNary Lock and Dam, Oregon and Washington; Palisades, Idaho; and Buffalo Bill, Wyoming; and
WHEREAS, when the height of a dam is raised, thousands of additional acres may be flooded resulting in possible adverse impacts including loss of wetlands and free flowing streams, disruption of breeding and foraging activities of wildlife, reduced quality of aquatic habitat, displacement of farms and houses, and loss of recreation areas; and
WHEREAS, if the peaking capacity of the hydropower facility is increased, extreme fluctuations in flows can produce significant adverse impacts on downstream resources — aquatic and terrestrial plant life, wetlands, fish, wildlife, aesthetics, and recreation; and cause severe stream bank erosion; and
WHEREAS, surplus electric capacity and energy exists in most regions of the nation, and additional Federal hydroelectric generating capacity may not be needed;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, in annual meeting assembled March 15-18, 1984, in Atlanta, Georgia, hereby strongly urges that Federal agencies carefully reconsider proposals to modify existing large dams and related hydropower facilities in order to avoid adverse environmental impacts; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation favors run-of-the-river hydropower operation over daily peaking operations; fish passage structures and intake screening for fish; developing and maintaining a flow regime that protects fish habitat; changing the flows of the rivers at gradual rates to protect fish and recreators (a biologically suitable ramp rate); timing of construction activities to minimize adverse impacts; peak-load pricing of power to reduce peak period demands; system analysis to determine the need for additional generating capacity; and full and timely cost recovery from power users of any Federal investment in hydroelectric power.