Cowlitz River Hydroelectric Project,
Tacoma Power, Washington

Provided project management for the relicensing of the 462-megawatt Cowlitz River Hydroelectric Project in southwestern Washington.  Services for this multi-year, multi-million dollar effort included assisting the client with their internal strategy; consultation with federal, state and local agencies; development of a public involvement program; identification, scoping, oversight, and reporting of all engineering and environmental studies; and preparation of license documents and the Draft Environmental Assessment.

In addition, Meridian Environmental staff participated in fisheries and terrestrial resource studies conducted in support of relicensing.  These included fish habitat mapping; assessment of the distribution and abundance of juvenile salmonids; evaluation of side-channel, wetland and riparian habitat under various flow regimes; and forest and wildlife habitat assessment.  Upon completion of the studies, Meridian Environmental staff served as lead authors for fisheries and terrestrial sections of the Applicant-Prepared Draft Environmental Assessment, and prepared a Biological Assessment addressing project effects on seven fish and wildlife species.

 

Rural Hydroelectric Assessment and Development Study,
Alaska Department of Community and Regional Affairs

Provided project management, development, and implementation of a computer database of all previously studied existing and potential hydroelectric sites in Alaska.  Data compiled included locations, communities served, regulatory constraints, construction costs and the benefit/cost ratios.  Using this database, Meridian staff performed a screening and ranking study to identify the best potential sites for development of hydropower to serve small, rural Alaskan communities.  Two sites were recommended for further development and are currently in design.

 

Lewis River Hydroelectric Complex Relicensing Studies,
PacifiCorp and Cowlitz County PUD, Washington

Conducted fish habitat and fish population studies associated with the alternative FERC relicensing process of the 550 MW Lewis River Hydroelectric Complex in southwestern Washington.  Studies included a detailed inventory of over 100 miles of potential anadromous fish habitat in the North Fork Lewis River upstream from Merwin, Yale and Swift dams; a report describing the life history, abundance, distribution and habitat utilization of chinook, coho, steelhead, sea-run cutthroat trout and nine other fish species found in the Lewis River basin; and an evaluation of current and historical fish hatchery management goals and operations at the Lewis River Hatchery Complex.  Presented the results of these studies to a technical group comprised of representatives from the NMFS, USFWS, WDFW, the Yakama Nation and American Rivers.  Currently, Meridian Environmental staff is in the process of preparing the Fishery Resources section of the Applicant Prepared Environmental Assessment.

 

Kizhuyak River Flood Control,
Alaska Energy Authority

Worked with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to obtain funding and fast-track permitting for emergency construction of a dike to protect the Terror Lake Hydroelectric Project from periodic floods of the Kizhuyak River

 

Powerdale Hydroelectric Project,
PacifiCorp, Oregon

Provided project management for this 6 MW hydroelectric relicensing on the Columbia River system.  Responsibilities included the coordination of all studies, client and agency communications, subconsultant activities, and complete document preparation and filing from First Stage Consultation Package through the license application.

 

Cushman Hydroelectric Project,
Tacoma Public Utilities, Washington

Provided project management responsible for the overall relicensing process for the Cushman Project’s two facilities.  Worked closely with the client on identification of necessary or required studies and responses to FERC and agency issues.  Supervised a large environmental staff and subconsultants on scoping of studies, study coordination and regulatory compliance.  Maintained contact with FERC staff to monitor project progression and identify potential issues.

Meridian Environmental staff also participated in studies focusing on the effects of proposed flow releases in the lower North Fork Skokomish River on fish and riparian habitat; evaluation of project impacts on wildlife habitat; and development of fish and wildlife mitigation plans.  Surveys for rare plants, bald eagles, spotted owls and marbled murrelets were also conducted as part of the relicensing effort.

 

Nisqually Hydroelectric Project,
Tacoma Public Utilities, Washington

Managed the relicensing of this 124 MW project in Washington State.  Responsible for all environmental and engineering studies; coordination between the client, FERC, resource agencies and non-governmental organizations; and preparation of the license application.  Planned and carried out a whitewater flow and recreational boating study that is referenced by FERC as the model study.  

Meridian Environmental staff participated in a number of fisheries studies in the reservoir and its tributaries; the 1.8-mile-long bypass reach; and in the Nisqually River below the project to evaluate project effects and develop mitigation plans.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Habitat Evaluation Procedure (HEP) was employed to assess project effects on wildlife habitat and design and compare several wildlife mitigation plans.