Number: 1988-04
WHEREAS, pumped storage facilities at the Richard B. Russell Dam and Lake Project were prohibited in the original authorization for the project, and such prohibition was removed in 1976; and
WHEREAS, the 1979 Corps of Engineers’ Final Feasibility Report on the inclusion of pumped storage stated that “the installation of pump turbines at the Russell project requires Congressional authorization based on detailed studies”; and
WHEREAS, neither have these detailed studies been completed, nor has Congress specifically authorized pumped storage based on such studies; and
WHEREAS, considerable data on the adverse impacts of pumped storage operations have become available since the Corps informed Congress that it was proceeding with this activity; and
WHEREAS, experience at other pump-back facilities, including the Truman Dam in Missouri, has shown that there is serious fish entrainment, a biologically effective and economically feasible mechanism to protect fish has yet to be developed, and pump-back facilities in place cannot, therefore, be operated without fish loss; and
WHEREAS, fishery data collected at the Richard B. Russell project during the first year of study indicate large densities of fish in the Russell tailrace; and
WHEREAS, there is currently little economic value or immediate need for additional peaking capacity at Richard B. Russell Dam, because the region served has surplus electric generating capacity; and
WHEREAS, increased conservation efforts and peak period pricing schedules could substitute effectively for the peaking capacity that would be provided by the addition of pumped-storage turbines at Richard B. Russell Dam; and
WHEREAS, while approximately $2.4 million has been spent to date on pump-back facilities at Russell, $17.7 million and $29.8 million in expenditures are anticipated for FY 88 and 89, respectively, with a total projected expenditure of $64.6 million by the time pumped storage operation begins in fall 1990;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 17-20, 1988, in New Orleans, Louisiana opposes further commitment of funds to construct pumped storage turbines or to install such turbines at the Richard B. Russell Dam until the appropriate studies are conducted and the environmental acceptability of the project and its overall feasibility, including developing a means to protect fish, have been determined; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that such studies be conducted in full consultation and cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.