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jP
Rio Banditos
Diddle Fuerte Diablo !
Joined: 15 Oct 2005
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Posts: 4404
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   Topic: Copy, Paste, Remix and Send :)
Posted: 16 Apr 2016 at 10:46pm |
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See the " File your eComment with FERC Today! " thread for instuctions on how to file your eComment.
the "Sample eComments" thread is just that. A collection of letters already filed with FERC. Post yours there after you file to help others see examples of what to write.
This thread, as the title implies, are facts, talking points and arguments you can use to write a comment. You can copy & paste parts of it, remix it, reword it, then send it. But as importantly- after you comment, you should send this stuff through your own network. Engage your community. Have them also raise their voice in defense of the river. Be agressive. Less than 10 days remain to comment.
Each post following will highlight a different detail or issue related to this project.
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jP
Rio Banditos
Diddle Fuerte Diablo !
Joined: 15 Oct 2005
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Posts: 4404
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Posted: 16 Apr 2016 at 10:51pm |
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First here are a few facts everyone should know:
-this is a run-of-river project. It is not a "dam" in the impoundment, lake making sense. Therefore avoiding the word "dam" is good. Words like "hydro development" or "Hydropower" are more succint.
-the Sky is Not a federally protected Wild and Scenic River, but as a free flowing river is IS eligible for that protection. This project would disqualify it for consideration.
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jP
Rio Banditos
Diddle Fuerte Diablo !
Joined: 15 Oct 2005
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Posted: 16 Apr 2016 at 10:53pm |
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To me this is the first argument that should be the beginning and the end of the whole thing...
Existing Protections
-The Skykomish River is part of Washington’s State Scenic River system
(RCW 79A.55) and was the first river in the state to be protected by the 1977 act.
Being a free flowing river, it is also Eligible for Federal Wild and Scenic Protection.
-The Dept. Of Ecology has mandated minimum instream flows that would be violated by this hydro project. (WAC 173-507-020)
-The Northwest Power and Conservation Council has declared the Sky as a Protected Area, protected from hydro development.
Edited by jP - 16 Apr 2016 at 11:18pm
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jP
Rio Banditos
Diddle Fuerte Diablo !
Joined: 15 Oct 2005
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Posted: 16 Apr 2016 at 10:55pm |
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These next two arguments are the two main issues...
Bad Deal for the Fish
Dewatering two waterfalls in the 1.1mi bypass reach would raise water temperatures in violation of the Dept. Of Ecology’s minimum instream flow law
(WAC 173-507-020).
Out migrating fish require the natural volumes of water provided by spring runoff to safely navigate Canyon and Sunset Falls.
Bad Deal For Snohomish County Ratepayers
-At a cost of well over $225 Million to build, this project will produce very expensive power at ¢10.8 per kWh compared to ¢3.6 per kWh for power purchased from BPA. This assumes it can even operate at max capacity.
-Debt will need to be repaid over 30 years at a 5.05% interest rate. Now I ain't no economist, but seems like an aweful steep interest rate for a municipal project. This project could be obsolete by then for any number of reasons.
Edited by jP - 16 Apr 2016 at 11:17pm
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jP
Rio Banditos
Diddle Fuerte Diablo !
Joined: 15 Oct 2005
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Posted: 16 Apr 2016 at 11:05pm |
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Here we get into Climate Change and if you do more homework you can knock this argument out of the park.
Project Likely NOT Able To Operate At Capacity
-Dam Will NOT produce the projected amount of power as predicted due to Frequent
Times of Inoperable Conditions (river levels too high or too low). Even if it does
produce its expected output, it will only contribute 1% to SnoPID’s energy grid during
The spring when Washington already produces surplus hydro power.
-Climatology Projections indicate that more of our winter precipitation will arrive as rain
with sharp brief spikes on the Hydrograph. Snowpack will likely not be as heavy and thus
not yield a consistent spring runoff for reliable power generation.
Edited by jP - 16 Apr 2016 at 11:14pm
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jP
Rio Banditos
Diddle Fuerte Diablo !
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Posted: 16 Apr 2016 at 11:07pm |
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Can't forget the ongoing landslide...
Blasting Two 20’ Tunnels within 330’ of an Active Landslide will disrupt the unstable area and be bad for water quality. Blasting debris would need to be piled up on site. Possible release of heavy metals from bedrock.
The Landslide itself has taken out three cabins this winter alone, and more since 2013. Seepage flows liberally from halfway up the slide zone, flowing out between soft, loose glacial till and gray ancient glacial lake silt. County Engineers have assessed that the landslide may sit on a “Probable Buried Valley”, indicating a possibility that the S. Fk may be rerouting itself through the slide area, eventually avoiding the oxbows and Sunset entirely. While unlikely to occur overnight, increased winter flooding could accelerate the process from both the upstream and downstream side of the slide. Such a result could bypass the proposed intake rendering the project obsolete before the project is fully paid off.
Edited by jP - 16 Apr 2016 at 11:13pm
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jP
Rio Banditos
Diddle Fuerte Diablo !
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Posted: 16 Apr 2016 at 11:11pm |
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Hydro Development at Sunset Falls is Against The Public Interest
Hydro development at Sunset Falls is against the long term public interest of all Washington Residents, will not meet the needs of Snohomish County ratepayers, and would undermine efforts to protect several threatened and endangered species of fish. It makes no sense.
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jP
Rio Banditos
Diddle Fuerte Diablo !
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Posted: 20 Apr 2016 at 1:38pm |
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Yo
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jP
Rio Banditos
Diddle Fuerte Diablo !
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Posted: 22 Apr 2016 at 5:29pm |
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bump. four days to comment
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Riff
Viener Schnitzel
Joined: 30 Oct 2012
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Posts: 12
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Posted: 23 Apr 2016 at 12:21pm |
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Thanks to JP for leading this and keeping us informed. I don't spend much time online, and haven't been keeping up with the boating community this spring, but JP contacted me personally yesterday and I can't believe this has snuck by me. I'm a recent migrant from Idaho, so I sent all the links from PP to 60 friends, river companies and guides over there. If you have contacts out of state, send a group email! Make this a regional effort.
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JoesKayak
Rio Banditos
Joined: 07 Nov 2006
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Posts: 1245
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Posted: 25 Apr 2016 at 9:01am |
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Bump!
Please, everyone! Take the 5 minutes to let your voice be heard. The river is our 2nd home, our sanctuary. It can't speak for itself. It needs you!
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jP
Rio Banditos
Diddle Fuerte Diablo !
Joined: 15 Oct 2005
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Posts: 4404
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Posted: 25 Apr 2016 at 1:25pm |
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way to Go Pat!
Mighty Mama Skykomish does not want her flow altered by puny humans with out moded thoughts of what prosperity and value means. These suits are far removed form the river and do not understand Her Mechanics, Her Economy, or Her Spirit.
Bump. 2 days left.
Get yer eComment on.
FERC and SnoPUD need to hear the Skykomish River Roar. THROUGH US!!!
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