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<br />... <br /> <br />A Case History <br /> <br />IFIM has particular promise for leading to the resolu- <br />tion of instream flow issues where both the developer <br />and the resource agency have a genuine desire to <br />evaluate the need for flows and to provide for that <br />need while allowing hydro development. The Terror lake <br />Project, FERC No. 2743, exemplifies such a situation. <br /> <br />The Terror lake Project on Kodiak Island Alaska <br />involved the diversion of the majority of t~e Terro; <br />Rive~ flows to the Kizhuyak River. Originally, the <br />Appllcant for the project had proposed that 60 cubic <br />feet per second Ccfs) be maintained in the Terror <br />River for the protection of aquatic resources. The <br />60 cfs ~as based on a synthesized hydrologic record. <br />Inspectlon of the proposed project by FERC staff <br />indicated that the 60 cfs would result in severe <br />dewatering of a significant portion of the river used <br />~y spaw~ing pink and chum salmon. Following the field <br />lnspectlon, FERC staff required the Applicant to <br />assess the instream flow needs of the Terror River. <br />The Applicant originally attemped to fulfill this <br />requirement by use of the Tennant Method but folloWing <br />discussions with the FERC staff, turned to IFIM. <br />IFIM was employed over approximately a 2-year period <br />on both the Terror and Kizhuyak Rivers. The results <br />were then. utilized in successful negotiations among <br />the Appllcant, the Alaska Department of Fish and <br />Game, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and several <br />conservation groups. An instream dow schedule <br />provi di ng for the needs of the fi shery resources of <br />the two streams resulted. FERC later concurred with <br />and approved the negotiated flows. <br /> <br />Other Example~ <br /> <br />O~er 35 other FERC hydroe 1 ectri c projects have uti- <br />l1zed IFIM to assess instream flow needs. Most of <br />these projects are located in the Western United <br />States. However, the utilization of IFIM in the <br />Eastern States is increasing as more people are <br />exposed to the procedure. <br /> <br />FERC staff i~ .curren.tly involved in a proceeding <br />before an Admlnlstratlve Law Judge, whose decision <br />may spur or stymie the use of IFIM in some Eastern <br />States. This hearing asks: Should IFIM be utilized <br />on the Susquehanna River a warm water stream and <br />principal tributary to the' Chesapeake Bay to assess <br />t~e .need for instream flows? This is' the first <br />aJudlcatory hearing involving FERC on the selection <br />of a methodology to determine instream flow require- <br />ment~. FERC staff has taken the position in this <br />h~arlng that IFIM is the appropriate procedure. The <br />Llcense~ in this case opposes the use of IFIM. The <br />Judge wlll have the final word. <br /> <br />SUMMARY <br /> <br />I FIM ha s proven its utili ty in the reso 1 ut i on of <br />instream flow issues at FERC hydroelectric projects. <br />The procedure has equal applicability to large and <br />small streams in all regions of the country. Surely <br />as hyd:o development continues throughout the nation, <br />IFI~ wlll assume a major role in providing the infor- <br />matlon necessary to ensure the protection of aquatic <br />resources. <br /> <br />T~e FERC currently utilizes training in IFIM pro- <br />vlded by Colorado State University, Department of <br />Conferences and Institutes, and the Instream Flow <br />Group of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Western <br />Energy and land Use Team (WELUT). This training <br /> <br /> <br />Il'~,-x:-:';;' c'-..:_):"" <br /> <br />provides an understanding of the phil <br />applicability of this valuable tool for use <br />management. <br /> <br />REFERENCES <br /> <br />loar, J. M., and Michael J. Sale. 1981. Analysis of <br />Environmental Issues Related to Small Scale Hydro"" <br />electric Development v. Instream Flow Needs .for <br />Fi shery Resources. Oakri dge Nat 1 ona 1 laboratory. <br />ORNl/TM-7861. 123 pp. <br /> <br />Olive, S. W., and B. l. Lamb. 1983. (in Press.) Con- <br />ducting a FERC Environmental Assessment: A Case Study <br />and Recommendations From the Terror lake Project. <br />U.S. Fish Wild. Servo W/IFG-83/W23. 63 pp. <br /> <br />Instream Flow <br />Training Philosophy <br />by <br />Dr. Clair B. Stalnaker <br /> <br />The Instream Flow Incremental Methodology (IFIM) 1s <br />offered as a valuable and efficient water management <br />tool. It is designed to provide a systematic approach <br />for water managers when evaluating changes in a stream <br />system and its habitat. Under such e~aluatlons <br />managers are often faced with problems of bewilder1ng <br />scope and complexity. The IFIM is not a standard <br />setting approach designed to recommend flows for <br />resource protection. The emphasis of the methodology <br />is on managing change rather than setting a flow <br />standard for maintenance of the status quo. In the <br />larger arena of water-planning and administration, <br />standard setting and incremental methodologies should <br />not be considered as competitive but are indeed <br />complimentary. <br /> <br />For one to grasp the management perspective .of IFlM <br />and to become proficient in its application requ1res <br />a commitment to training. A minimal investment of <br />one month of training is recommended. The IFG 200 <br />1 evel courses are very structured and ilre set up <br />sequentially to provide an intense and systematic <br />program. Participants in these courses are assumed <br />to have completed the appropriate prerequisites and <br />should expect little review with the expectation that <br />the courses be taken sequentially. A minimum of <br />three courses in thi s 200 category is requi red to <br />assure efficient application of the IFIM. These ~re: <br />IFG 200 - Designing and Conducting Studies Using <br />IFIM; IFG 205 - Field Techniques for Stream H~b1tat <br />Analysis: and/or IFG 210 - Use of the Computer Based <br />Physical Habitat Simulation System (PHABSIM); and <br />IFG 215 - Problem Solving With the Instream Flow <br />Incrementa 1 Methodology. Wi thi n organ i zat ions whi eh <br />desire a team approach to IFIM application different <br />individuals may be assigned to the IFG 205 and 210 <br />courses. However, it is recommended that a 11 team <br />members take the IFG 200 and 215 courses. <br /> <br />If organizations are unsure of the appropriateness of <br />the IFIM to their general instream flow concerns, the <br />Instream Flow and Aquatic Systems Group is pleased to <br /> <br />* Dr. Clair Stalnaker has been the Group Leader of the <br />Instream Flow Group, Fort Collins, CO since 1976. <br /> <br />2 <br /> <br />l!.e. \ ( ro ~ .; <br />,f ....,aJO..... <br />p)l.t.~ o~ <br />IAI\Q.~ <br /> <br /> <br />