For Immediate Release March 30, 1999 Contact: Andrew Fahlund, American Rivers (202) 347-7550 Rich Bowers, American Whitewater (301) 589-9453 Steve Moyer, Trout Unlimited (703) 522-0200 Conservation Groups Urge Opposition of Craig/Towns Bill (Washington, DC)-American Rivers, American Whitewater, and Trout Unlimited three of America's leading conservation organizations, today blasted a bill that they said would undercut key environmental protections in federal licensing of hydropower dams. The Hydroelectric Licensing Process Improvement Act (S.740), introduced late last week by Senator Larry Craig (R-ID), would amend the Federal Power Act, which now requires federal authorities to consider environmental and energy concerns when licensing hydropower dams. Senator Craig's bill would limit the abilities of federal agencies to protect natural resources and burden the agencies with more than a dozen new procedural, process, and oversight requirements. Congressman Edolphus Towns (D-NY) is expected to introduce a companion bill in the House. "Instead of fixing the hydropower relicensing process, as Senator Craig claims, these bills add more red tape and unravel important environmental protections," said Andrew Fahlund, associate director of hydropower programs for American Rivers. "These bills are not needed and would be harmful to fish and other aquatic resources. They are being pressed by elements of the hydropower industry who want to make up their own rules," said Steve Moyer, vice president for conservation programs for Trout Unlimited. The Federal Power Act grants authority to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and several other federal and state agencies to regulate the operation of mostly private hydropower dams on public waterways. Every 30 to 50 years, a dam owner must apply to FERC for a new operating license. This relicensing process requires consideration of ecological health, water quality, and recreation so that operation of the dam continues to be in the public interest. "The relicensing process has achieved major gains for fish, rivers, and forward-thinking utility companies. Our work has shown that the nation does not have to sacrifice the health of its rivers to maintain a vigorous hydropower industry," added Moyer. "The relicensing of hydropower dams has improved river conditions across the country, creating more opportunities for fishing and boating-and bringing significant economic benefits to river communities and businesses," said Rich Bowers, executive director of American Whitewater. "American Rivers, American Whitewater, Trout Unlimited, and other conservationists have worked cooperatively with industry members and FERC to come up with specific administrative solutions to make the hydropower dam licensing process more efficient and streamlined. These solutions are being implemented and need to be given an opportunity to work. Attacking this progress with legislation just does not make sense," added Fahlund. American Rivers, founded in 1973, is the nation's leading river conservation organization. For more information on the FERC relicensing process, visit www.amrivers.org. American Whitewater is the only national organization dedicated exclusively to the conservation, restoration, and enjoyment of whitewater rivers (www.awa.org). Founded in 1959, Trout Unlimited (www.tu.org) is America's leading trout and salmon conservation organization with 455 chapters nationwide. --30--
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