News Release from: Pacific Power
FOLLOW THE FISH: TAKE YOUR FIRST LOOK AT INNOVATIVE FISH PASSAGE PROJECT NEARING COMPLETION ON NORTH UMPQUA RIVER
Posted: October 18th, 2012 1:40 PM
Media Contact: Tom Gauntt, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pacific Power, 503-813-7291 Oct. 18, 2012
Follow the fish: Take your first look at innovative fish passage project nearing completion on North Umpqua River
Half-day public tour Nov. 14 introduces PacifiCorp's state-of-the-art structure that lets fish pass while keeping low-cost, emission-free energy for customers
TOKETEE, Ore. - For more than two years, the North Umpqua River east of Roseburg has pulsed with construction activity while PacifiCorp built an innovative new fish passage facility in conjunction with its hydroelectric operations. The facility will help steelhead and salmon reach spawning habitat that has been blocked for 60 years.
As a safety precaution in the active construction zone, most of this important work has been invisible to the public, but that changes, at least for one day, on Nov. 14. PacifiCorp, together with federal and state natural resource agencies, will lead a public tour of the new fish enhancement projects at the North Umpqua hydroelectric project area, approximately 60 miles east of Roseburg. These enhancements are part of the settlement that allowed relicensing of PacifiCorp's 185 -megawatt North Umpqua hydroelectric project that produces enough renewable, emission-free electricity to supply 67,000 average homes each year.
"This is always a fun and informative tour, and we welcome local residents and others interested in a first-hand look at the project," said Monte Garrett, PacifiCorp program manager.
Participants of the tour will see something unique. Due to the tight canyon area, the fish ladder and screens are actually built within the structure of Soda Springs Dam. "It was a challenge to design, but the site demanded it," said Garrett.
Also of interest are the fish habitat enhancements of the North Umpqua River above and below the dam providing new spawning grounds for steelhead and salmon.
The tour begins at the North Umpqua Implementation Office near Toketee at 10:30 a.m. and is expected to conclude by 3 p.m. Find the office from Roseburg by taking Hwy 138 east and turning left at Milepost 57 (at the green "Toketee Control Center" sign) onto Toketee School Road, then proceeding along the main paved road about one-quarter mile to the gray and blue PacifiCorp buildings.
Safety is the top priority at PacifiCorp. There is still construction activity at Soda Springs Dam, so personal vehicles will not be allowed into the site and all attendees will be transported in a bus from the office, where ample parking is available. Those who wish to attend must contact either Rich Grost (PacifiCorp) at 541-498-2617 or Pam Sichting (USFS) at 541-957-3342 to reserve a spot on the bus. Please bring a sack lunch and sturdy boots. Safety is a top priority, so safety glasses, hard hats, high-visibility vests and safety instruction will be provided.
The tour is sponsored by the Resource Coordination Committee for the North Umpqua Hydroelectric Project. Members include PacifiCorp, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, National Marine Fisheries Service, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and Oregon Department of Water Resources. Representatives of several of these agencies will be participating in the tour.
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About PacifiCorp
PacifiCorp is one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, serving more than 1.7 million customers in the West. PacifiCorp operates as Pacific Power in Oregon, Washington and California, and as Rocky Mountain Power in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho. With a generating capability of almost 10,600 megawatts from coal, hydro, gas-fired combustion turbines and renewable wind and geothermal power, the company works to meet growing energy demand while protecting and enhancing the environment.
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