License Requirements

The Federal Energy Regulatory Agency requires that Tacoma Power carry out many and varied tasks, projects and studies as conditions to operate the Cowlitz River Project.

Fisheries: The overriding theme is ecosystem integrity and the restoration and recovery of wild, indigenous salmonid runs. Much of the effort to accomplish this goal is contained in License Settlement Agreement Articles 1 through 6 which can be found starting on page 50 of the license. Also see Studies, Plans and Reports for plans and reports submitted about fishery issues. Details about flow requirements to protect fish, especially during spawning, can be found starting on page 62 of the license.

Recreation: Tacoma Power will expand parks, add and extend boat launches on the reservoirs, build and extend non-motorized trails in wildlife areas. Details of these requirements can be found starting on page 65 of the license. Also see Studies, Plans and Reports for plans and reports submitted about recreation issues.

Cultural resource management: All projects licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, including the Cowlitz River Project, have to comply with the National Historic Preservation Act. For the Cowlitz River Project, this includes protecting a number of Native American sites within the project boundary and educating people to become good stewards of these valuable links to our past. Details of these requirements can be found on pages 44 and 68 of the license.

Wildlife and wildlife areas: The basis of this requirement is the settlement agreement with the Washington Department of Wildlife (now the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife). Details of this requirement can be found starting on page 69 of the license.

Water quality: Water quality monitoring plans are included in Appendix C of the license and Appendix C-1 of the order lifting the stay on the license. A water quality monitoring plan is required by Article 410 in the order amending the license on page 15.

Reporting: The license contains many reporting requirements, which are specified throughout the license.

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