Flows and Recretion: A guide to studies for river professionals

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Foreword This guide is intended to facilitate decision - making to define flows for recreation on regulated rivers. It provides a framework and methodologies for assessing flows for recreational use. This welcome addition to the Hydropower Reform Coalition's Citizen Toolkit for Effective Participation in Hydropower Licensing (available at www .hydroreform.org/toolkit.asp) should help all participants, such as license applicants, agencies, Tribes, and citizens, satisfy the new licensing regulations of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Ideally, it will be used to enhance the quality of study requests and plans, as well as the implementation of studies and resolution of disputes. The authors are recognized experts and have been involved in numerous flow studies for hydropower licensing and other water resources decisions. The guide complements and updates an earlier NPS publication, Instream Flows for Recreation: A Handbook on Concepts and Research Methods (Whittaker et al., 1993). This new report provides more specific guidance about a phased approach and other practical aspects of conducting recreation flow assessments. The National Park Service Hydropower Recreation Assistance program works with parties involved in licensing hydropower facilities regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to ensure that public interests in recreation and conservation are addressed. The program draws its authority from the Federal Power Act and technical assistance provisions of the Outdoor Recreation Act of 1962, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968, and the National Trails System Act of 1968. Joan Harn, Hydropower Recreation Assistance Leader National Park Service Washington, DC www.nps.gov /hydro Editorial design by Doug Whittaker and Christie Dobson. Cover design by Kathy Shelby from a modified photo of Alaska's Talkeetna River. Thanks to Joan Harn, Rebecca Sheman, Cassie Thomas, Angie Tornes, and Harry Williamson for their reviews of an earlier draft. Copyright © 2005. All rights reserved Whittaker, Shelby, & Gangemi, and the Hydropower Reform Coalition 1025 Vermont Avenue, Suite 720 Washington, DC 20005 www.hydroreform.org Address author correspondence to: Confluence Research and Consulting 6324 Red Tree Circle Anchorage, Alaska 99507 (907) 346 -3769 www.confluence- research.com