Kenai Hydro
Homer Electric Association has filed preliminary permits with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to study the feasibility of four hydroelectric projects in the Kenai River Watershed. Crescent Lake, Ptarmigan Lake, Grant Lake and Falls Creek are all are located within the Chugach National Forest and all are tributaries of the Kenai River.
Hydroelectric Projects Proposed for the Kenai River Watershed
Homer Electric Association has filed preliminary permits with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to study the feasibility of four hydroelectric projects in the Kenai River Watershed. Crescent Lake, Ptarmigan Lake, Grant Lake and Falls Creek are all are located within the Chugach National Forest and all are tributaries of the Kenai River.
The sites being considered are high-value recreational lands with resident and anadromous fish populations. There are legitimate concerns being raised by local residents, agencies, fishermen and conservationists.
ACE has been a strong advocate for the Renewable Energy Fund and we support a comprehensive review of all projects to ensure that these funds are distributed to viable projects that will result in clean, low-impact energy solutions.
HEA has secured state funding through the Renewable Energy Grant Fund to study the feasibility of these projects. Interestingly, during the Alaska Energy Authority review on these proposals, they overlooked the fact that both the Kenai River Comprehensive Management Plan and the Kenai Area Plan prohibit new dams in the Kenai River Watershed.* With a comprehensive review, AEA would also have learned that Alaska Department of Fish and Game has repeatedly said it will not approve totally dewatering a creek in this watershed, which is exactly what HEA is proposing to do to Falls Creek. AEA also gave the project points for community support without actually consulting the local residents.
After reviewing these proposed projects, we have come to the conclusion that these four projects do not align with our core values of protecting wild places, fostering sustainable communities and promoting recreational opportunities.
*http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/plans/krsmapln/krsmamp3.pdf
The State of Alaska has recommended prohibition for impoundment structures on any Kenai River Tributary including Crescent Creek, Ptarmigan Creek, Falls Creek and Grant Creek.
This prohibition was determined through a public planning process and is published in the resulting Kenai River Comprehensive Management Plan, November 1997, where it states on page 89:
Problem Statement: Additional impoundment structures are not considered appropriate because of their fundamental, usually irreversible affect upon the river’s hydrology.
Recommendation 4.5.5.2: The construction of new dams or diversions on the Kenai River or its
fish bearing tributaries, which block fish movements, or reduce essential stream flows for spawning, rearing, or migration, will be prohibited.
