Cowlitz River Project Technical Groups

Fisheries Technical Committee (FTC)

The Cowlitz River Hydroelectric Project Settlement Agreement calls for the creation of a Fisheries Technical Committee (FTC). The FTC shall include one representative each from Tacoma Power, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Washington Department of Ecology, and the Yakama Nation; and one individual representing Trout Unlimited and American Rivers.

The FTC shall be responsible for making recommendations on actions to maximize the effectiveness of fisheries mitigation, protection, and enhancement measures. These recommendations will include developing study protocols and plans for hatchery remodeling, fish management, fisheries disease management, and fish passage. The FTC will also make such adaptive management recommendations as may be indicated by monitoring and evaluation.

The FTC began meeting in November 2000 to begin implementing some of the measures identified in the Settlement Agreement. As they are finalized, written summaries of FTC meetings will be posted on Tacoma Power’s Web site. Plans called for in the Settlement Agreement will also be posted on the Web site as they are developed. If you would like to share your thoughts, please send an e-mail message to:

Fisheries Technical Committee e-mail - cowlitz@ci.tacoma.wa.us.

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Habitat Advisory Group (HAG)

The Federal Regulatory Energy Commission (FERC) approved Tacoma Power’s Fish Habitat Fund Allocation Plan, which is required by the FERC license. Tacoma Power will spend $3 million to protect, restore and enhance fisheries habitats by acquiring land or easements and with habitat restoration projects. The money has been set aside in the Fish Habitat Fund.

To oversee this work, a Habitat Advisory Group (HAG) was formed with representatives from Tacoma Power, Lewis County, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, American Rivers/Trout Unlimited and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The HAG is responsible for reviewing and approving the eligibility and relative priority of property along the mainstem and tributaries of the Cowlitz River between the Barrier Dam and the confluence of the Toutle River. The plan provides a framework for evaluating sites and ranking the sites.

The initial focus is on the lower Cowlitz River. The first priority is to purchase or obtain conservation easements on eligible properties. In this case, conservation easements are agreements with property owners to maintain the property for habitat purposes and not develop, log or otherwise reduce the habitat. After the purchase of property or conservation easements, the next priority is habitat restoration activities. Other sources for funding and grants can be used to leverage the money provided by Tacoma Power.

Conservation groups and others are encouraged to initiate project proposals and submit them to the HAG. These proposals must meet the criteria and prioritization requirements to be considered. The Fish Habitat Fund may also be used as a source of matching funds for proposed project grants requiring multiple funding sources.

Habitat Advisory Group Email cowlitz@cityoftacoma.org or 253-502-8298.

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Wildlife Management Coordinating Committee (WMCC)

The Wildlife Management Coordinating Committee includes representatives from Tacoma Power, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The committee meets at least annually to discuss the wildlife development and management plan, coordinate lowland and wetland property acquisition, and resolve conflicts about wildlife issues.
 

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