EAST WENATCHEE — The people of Douglas County can count on 40 more years of local control of Wells Dam. The Douglas County PUD Friday received a new 40-year federal license to operate the Columbia River dam, which is about 14 miles north of the community of Chelan Falls.
The license is the culmination of seven years of studies and negotiations with local, state and federal agencies, community groups and tribes. It contains a PUD commitment to spend $654 million over the next four decades on projects that benefit hydropower generation, fish and wildlife protection and recreation. Projects include:
• New interpretive signing at the Wells Dam overlook about hydropower and conservation of Columbia River bull trout.
• A boat-in tent-camping site for non-motorized boat users in the vicinity of the Okanogan River.
Plans to protect and enhance water quality, bull trout, Pacific lamprey, white sturgeon and resident fish.
• The license ensures local control of the dam, via an elected board of commissioners, through 2052 and guides all aspects of how the PUD operates the dam.
The 840-megawatt dam, with its 10 turbine/generator units, can make enough electricity to power 420,000 Northwest homes. It produced its first commercial electricity in 1967.
“The license places this resource at our customers disposal for many years into the future,” PUD General Manager Bill Dobbins said this morning. “I’m just really proud of everybody who’s worked on it for more than seven years.”
The relicensing process cost the utility some $10 million - about $7 million under budget - including consultant and staff time. It produced volumes of paper and digital bytes.
Dobbins said staffers are reviewing the new license now and will meet Friday morning to discuss any potential sticking points that could need further negotiation.
From the Wenathee World