19901220Comment.pdf

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PRESIDENT
Con Gilmore
234.6233
VICE PRESIDENT
R. Lane Hansen
527.3494
Gary Wilis
327.3003
SECRETARY
Shirley Sanchotena
345.4438
TREASURER
Steve Pierson
465.5556
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Gary B. Busch
Sun Valley
R. Lane Hansen
Arco
Mickey Turnbow
Boise
George Galvan
Salmon
Con Gilmore
Pocatello
John Patterson
Lewiston
Gary Willis
Boise
Tim Crist
Twin Falls
Ron Bloxham
Challs
Thayne S. Huntsman
Shelley
Dennis Klemp
Butte
Laird A. Robinson
Missoula
Warren Hostetler
Boise
R.H. Kivle
Spokane
Larry Coonts
Orofino
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IDAHO STEELHEAD & SALMON UNLIMITED
Committed to Recovering Idaho's Anadronl~¡¡iil)llRQn.mflLED 0
December 18, 1990 90 BEG 20 Plì 3 20
PUBUC
UT tiTlES COMMISSION
Gar Richardson
Idaho Public Utities Commssion
427 West Washington
Boise, ID 83720
Dear Mr. Richardson:
It has come to the attention of Idaho Steelhead and Salmon Unlimited that
Idaho Power Company has applied for a permt to rework the generating
capacity of Swan Falls Dam.
Idaho Steelhead and Salmon Unlimited was formed in 1985 to restore,
protect and preserve Idaho's anadromous fish resources. ISSU represents
over 2000 regular members and approximately 5000 associate members in
twenty-nine states and is extremely concerned about the future of Idaho's
salmon and steelhead.
Anadromous salmon and steelhead once migrated freely in and out of the
Snake River al the way upstream to Shoshone Falls. Today that migrtion
is either being or has been totally blocked by hydro-electric dams on the
Columbia and Snake Rivers. ISSU does not oppose Idaho Powets
application to increase the generating capacity of Swan Falls Dam.
However, we do feel that any retrofitting or modification to any hydro-
power facilty in potential anadromous areas should be designed to
incorporate both a juvenile fish bypass system and upstream adult passage
capacity.
Although anadromous fish do not migrate in the Snake River above Hells
Canyon Dam any longer, ISSU does not believe this will be the long term
scenaro. ISSU believes fish passage around the Hells Canyon complex can
and should occur in the very near future. When this does occur, it would
be a big plus and of signficant economic benefit to Idaho Power Company
to have aleady designed a fish passage facilty for the Swan Falls Dam.
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EXECUTIVE COORDINATOR
Mitch Sanchotena ISSU
P.O. Box 2294
Boise, Idaho 83701
[phone]
PAST PRESIDENTS
Charles L Roos
Dan Magers
Gary Busch
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Gary Richardson
December 18, i 990
Page 2
Therefore, ISSU urges the Public Utilties Commssion to review Idaho
Powets request and grant it -- contigent on a design to pass anadromous
fish around the project.
Than you for accepting our views and comments on this very important
issue.
Very truy your,~
Mitch Sanchotena
Executive Coordiator