Earlier today the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a new 30 year license for the Prospect Hydroelectric Project (P-2630) on the North Fork of the Rogue River in southern Oregon. The North Fork Rogue is a spectacular river that originates from the slopes of Crater Lake National Park and flows year around through the Rogue River National Forest where it is designated as a Wild and Scenic River. While there are a few different sections on this river that provide summer boating opportunities, many regard the section that begins with Avenue of the Giant Boulders as the best. Unfortunately hydro developers discovered this section of river before the boaters and flows are diverted around this reach throughout the summer making it a resource few have had the opportunity to explore.

 In the relicensing of this project, American Whitewater requested restoration of flows in the natural river channel bypassed by the project, public access to the powerhouse that provides one of the only points to enter or exit the gorge and access to flow information. FERC addressed our requests in the issuance of the new license (see below) and we look forward to working with PacifiCorp, resource agencies and the local boating community to develop the required whitewater recreation plans. Plans will need to be submitted to FERC for approval within the next six months, and following review and approval by FERC we anticipate restoration of whitewater boating opportunities on this reach of the North Fork Rogue.

License Articles that specifically address whitewater recreation (read the full license).

Article 413. Whitewater Boating Flow Release Plan. Within six months of license issuance, the licensee shall file for Commission approval a Whitewater Boating Flow Release Plan for the 2.5-mile-long Rogue River bypassed reach (between the North Fork diversion dam and Prospect No. 2 powerhouse) for purposes of identifying a schedule and precise flow to release between 85 cubic feet per second (cfs) and 500 cfs to facilitate whitewater boating activities. The plan shall include, at a minimum:
(1) a provision to release a range of flows from and including the minimum flow of 85 cfs required by Ordering paragraph D and Appendix A of this license (conditions under section 401 of the Clean Water Act) up to and including a maximum flow of 500 cfs into the Rogue River bypassed reach, to the extent an equivalent amount of Rogue River inflow to the North Fork reservoir is available, for a six-hour duration on:
(a) one weekend (2 days) each in the months of July, August, and September; and (b) the Fourth of July and Labor Day holidays;
(2) the specific flow-dependent and flow-enhanced recreation opportunities (e.g., whitewater rafting, kayaking, fishing/wading) to be evaluated at the various flow releases;
(3) an assessment of the effects of the whitewater flow releases on: (a) any loss of project generation and (b) the fishery and aquatic resources of the bypassed reach;
(4) a provision to release and evaluate the whitewater flow releases in three consecutive years;
(5) identification of the relevant costs associated with the various whitewater flow releases;
(6) a provision to notify the public through a call-in telephone recording or similar means if a scheduled whitewater flow release would be cancelled or modified due to operating emergencies beyond the control of the licensee; and
(7) a schedule for: (a) implementation of the plan; (b) consultation with the entities listed below concerning the results of the evaluation; and (c) filing a report of the results, recommendations for a permanent whitewater boating flow and associated release schedule, consulting entity comments, and the licensee’s response to the comments with the Commission.

The licensee shall prepare the plan after consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, and American Whitewater. The licensee shall include with the plan documentation of consultation, copies of comments and recommendations on the completed plan after it has been prepared and provided to the listed entities, and specific descriptions of how the entities’ comments are accommodated by the plan. The licensee shall allow a minimum of 30 days for the entities to comment before filing the plan with the Commission. If the licensee does not adopt a recommendation, the filing shall include the licensee's reasons, based on project-specific information.

The Commission reserves the right to require changes to the plan. Implementation of the plan shall not begin until the licensee is notified by the Commission that the plan is approved. Upon Commission approval, the licensee shall implement the plan, including any changes required by the Commission.

Article 414. Whitewater Boating Access Monitoring Plan. Within six months of license issuance, the licensee shall file for Commission approval a Whitewater Boating Access Monitoring Plan to determine the feasibility of providing whitewater boating access to the Rogue River near the Prospect No. 2 powerhouse. The plan shall include, at a minimum: (1) a provision for allowing public access to the Rogue River near the Prospect No. 2 powerhouse on the dates the licensee releases the whitewater flows required by Article 413; (2) provisions for monitoring and documenting whitewater boating use at the powerhouse site, parking, and vehicle turn-around areas, and documenting any public or project safety incidents related to the use of the site; (3) a provision for providing appropriate signage directing users to the access, parking, and turn-around areas, and cautioning drivers of the narrow sections of the roadway; and (4) a schedule for: (a) implementation of the plan; (b) consultation with the entities identified below concerning the results of the evaluation; and (c) filing a report of the results along with a recommendation and schedule for providing whitewater boating access at the site for the remainder of the license term, consulting entity comments, and the licensee’s response to the comments with the Commission.

The licensee shall prepare the plan after consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, and American Whitewater. The licensee shall include with the plan documentation of consultation, copies of comments and recommendations on the completed plan after it has been prepared and provided to the entities, and specific descriptions of how the entities’ comments are accommodated by the plan. The licensee shall allow a minimum of 30 days for the entities to comment before filing the plan with the Commission. If the licensee does not adopt a recommendation, the filing shall include the licensee's reasons, based on project-specific information.

The Commission reserves the right to require changes to the plan. Implementation of the plan shall not begin until the licensee is notified by the Commission that the plan is approved. Upon Commission approval, the licensee shall implement the plan, including any changes required by the Commission.

Article 415. Whitewater Flow Reporting Requirement. The licensee shall provide a daily, morning flow reading for the head of the Rogue River bypassed reach by a telephone recording from March 1 through Labor Day throughout the term of the license for purposes of alerting whitewater boaters of flow conditions in the bypassed reach.