Hydropower in the 21 st Century

1. Hydropower in the 21st Century Aspen’s Maroon Creek Diversion structure

2. Glines Canyon Dam Small Hydropower does not mean low impact Hydropower!

3. Castle Creek Hydroelectric Project: Promoted as something that it is not. Constructed prior to licensing which does not allow flexibility in operations or consideration of alternatives.

4. Problems • Can have significant environmental impacts while providing • marginal power benefits • Expensive to build and permit • Can restrict recreational opportunities • Compound the effects of Climate Change • Cumulative Impacts

5. Promises • Significant potential to develop low Impact Hydropower that does not harm rivers • Existing regulatory Incentives for Low Impact Projects without rolling back • Environmental laws • Distributed generation allows flexibility to balance other uses and community values

6. 21st Century Hydropower; A New Paradigm • Use existing structures • Consider other river values beginning in the pre-feasibility phase • No longer need to maximize generation • Engage interested stakeholders prior to project design

7. Key Elements of a Successful Hydro Project • Economic Benefits to Local Community and Participants • Retrofit to an Existing Dam/Structure • Integrate Operations with Irrigation Requirements • Improved Fisheries/Aquatic Environment • Communication Operation/Flows – Predicted/Actual • Review/Mutual Agreement on Operation Changes • Utilize EA/FONSI Process where possible • Long term Commitment/Participation with all Parties • TU Mission and Local Chapter Objectives Drive the Process

8. Lessons Learned on Hydro Projects • ACTIVE COLLABORATION WITH KEY PLAYERS REQUIRED • LONG TERM GOALS & OBJECTIVES DRIVE THE COMMITMENTS • MUST UNDERSTAND WATER USERS REQUIREMENTS • KNOW THE MAJOR PLAYERS AND WHAT DRIVES THEM • CONSISTENT OPERATING PHILOSOPHY YET ADAPTIVE IF NEEDED • PLAY HARDBALL WHEN REQUIRED BUT DON’T LOSE THE WAR • UTILIZE CPW (DOW) EXPERTISE AND TECH DATA/SURVEYS • MAY TAKE 20-30 YEARS TO GET TO A WIN-WIN PROJECT SOLUTION

9. KEY ISSUES FOR THE SOUTH CANAL & RIDGWAY HYDRO PROJECTS RIDGWAY (TRI-COUNTY WATER) PROJECT • RETROFITS AN EXISTING DAM IN OPERATION FOR 20 YEARS • NORMAL IRRIGATION/WATER SUPPLY OPERATIONS IN APR-OCT • INCREASE IN LEVELIZED WINTER FLOWS FOR GENERATION FOR A SMALL TURBINE (40 – 120 CFS) • INCREASED WINTER FLOWS ARE NEEDED FOR IMPROVED FISHERY • REDUCED AMOUNTS OF SPILLAGE/OVERFLOW IN SPRING • OPERATING RECOMMENDATIONS BY CPW/TU ANNUAL REVIEW • ACTIVE SUPPORT BY CPW IN DEVELOPING FLOW REGIMES/HABITAT • REDUCE/ELIMINATE FISH MORTALITY FROM NITROGEN SUPERSAT • OPERATOR IS NON-PROFIT WATER USER

10. KEY ISSUES FOR THE SOUTH CANAL & RIDGWAY HYDRO PROJECTS GUNNISON SOUTH CANAL PROJECT • NO ADDITIONAL WATER DRAWS FROM GUNNISON RIVER • BOUNDARY CONDITIONS SET BY TU LAWSUIT ON FLOWS IN BCNP • EARLIER DEFEAT OF AB LATERAL PROJECT WITH HGIHER FLOWS • BUREAU REC. ASPINALL SYSTEM & OWNER OF CANAL/LAND • HYDRO OWNERSHIP 50/50 WATER USERS/ELECTRICAL COMPANY • MITIGATION REQUIREMENTS IN EA FROM PUBLIC/TU INPUT • CANAL BEEN IN USE FOR OVER 100 YEARS MARCH-OCT OPERATIONS • “RUN OF THE CANAL” OPERATIONS – STRICTLY TIED TO IRRIGATION • ELECTRONIC FISH BARRIER KEEPS HOFER/CR RAINBOWS IN GUNNISON RIVER AND OUT OF THE CANAL

11. CTU Hydropower Talking Points • Trout Unlimited supports renewable energy that minimizes harm to the local environment. • Make informed decisions. • “Small” hydro does not mean good hydro. • Get the most out of existing facilities. • Protect local ecology. • Stay out of high quality fish and wildlife habitat “We should not, in the name of renewable energy development, destroy the very resources we are trying to protect from the effects of climate change.” - Hydropower Reform Coalition

12. Just a little problem….