CSPA

The CSPA and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

FERC's the federal agency CSPA legally petitions to get flows for the fish.

FERC controls all hydropower projects (numerous dams) throughout the United States and in California. And they are tough to deal with because they have a bias against fish and the environment, and they are pro-power.

The CSPA has been dealing with FERC and their process since the early 1980's. The CSPA has been successful in getting water for fish and fishery mitigation measures by FERC. The CSPA biggest win with FERC is getting the Federal Power Act amended and fines increased from $500 to $10,000 per day for hydropower licensees taking fish water and producing power (violations of terms and conditions of FERC licenses). CSPA filed formal documented compliants with FERC against numerous hydropower licensees in California. It appears we got full compliance regarding the fish flows, but we need to obtain greater flows.

I documented about 64,000 days of non-compliance of mandatory flows for fish.

Bob Baiocchi