- Idaho Power Company has filed a Settlement Agreement for the Hells Canyon Hydroelectric Project, which is located on the Snake River and affects Baker County, Oregon.
- The agreement is part of the relicensing process for the project and involves Idaho Power and the U.S. Forest Service.
- The Settlement Agreement aims to establish terms and conditions for the protection and use of federal lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service within and near the project area.
- The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is requested to consider and approve the Settlement Agreement, incorporating its terms into any new license issued for the project.
- Local stakeholders, including residents and environmental groups in Baker County, have until November 12, 2024, to submit comments on the agreement.
- The agreement and its terms are available for public review on the FERC website, and the public is encouraged to participate in the process through comments and interventions.
- This development is significant for Baker County as it will influence the management and environmental impact of the Hells Canyon area, a key local resource.
Impact on Idaho and Oregon Counties Beyond Baker County
- The Hells Canyon Hydroelectric Project Settlement Agreement also impacts Adams and Washington Counties in Idaho, as well as Wallowa and Malheur Counties in Oregon.
- The project involves federal lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, including the Payette and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests and Hells Canyon National Recreational Area.
- The agreement seeks to establish terms for the protection and utilization of these federal lands, which are crucial for the environmental and recreational landscape of the affected areas.
- Residents and stakeholders in these counties are encouraged to review the agreement and participate in the public comment process to ensure their interests and concerns are addressed.
To view the original document on the Federal Register, click here.