The Relicensing Process

A wild salmon recovery plan for the Cowlitz River is the central focus of a comprehensive agreement by Tacoma Power, federal and state agencies, tribes and conservation groups.

The agreement -- the result of more than five years of study and negotiation -- also describes recreation, cultural resources, wildlife and water quality programs that Tacoma Power will provide to receive a new 40-year federal license to operate its Cowlitz River Hydroelectric Project. Combined, the package will cost Tacoma Power an estimated $60 million in new capital projects over the life of the new project license.

The agreement calls for immediate formation of a fisheries technical committee whose members represent fisheries and environmental agencies, tribes, conservation groups and Tacoma Power. The committee will provide oversight for developing a fisheries and hatchery management plan, a fisheries disease management plan, a hatchery remodel plan and several other studies and plans. Preparing these plans now will enable any needed construction to begin shortly after the project license is issued.

The recreation enhancements called for in the agreement feature additions to Tacoma Power's Mossyrock and Taidnapam campground parks by Riffe Lake, and acquisition by Tacoma Power of Lewis County's campground park on Mayfield Lake. A 20-mile-long trail through the wildlife land on the north side of Riffe Lake is also planned, as is a low-water boat launch at the east end of Riffe Lake.

Tacoma Power also agrees to develop and implement a cultural resources management plan in consultation with resource agencies and the Yakama Indian Nation. The plan will enhance protection of sites within the Cowlitz River Project lands that are important to the tribes.

An existing comprehensive wildlife management agreement signed in 1992 will continue to meet the wildlife mitigation requirements of the new license. Under this agreement, Tacoma Power provided 14,000 acres of land adjacent to the Cowlitz River Project for restoration and protection as natural wildlife habitat.

The water quality measures called for in the agreement primarily describe minimum river flows to be maintained by Tacoma Power below Mayfield Dam. The new flows are similar to existing requirements, but feature some changes intended to better support salmon migration in the river.

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