Posted On December 21, 2012 By In kpfa With 2082 Views

AEA files Revised Study Plan for Susitna-Watana Hydro

AEA files Revised Study Plan for Susitna-Watana Hydro

The Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) submitted its Susitna-Watana Hydro Revised Study Plan to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on Friday, Dec. 14.

Included are 58 individual studies that focus on many resource areas, including: geology, water quality, ice processes, geomorphology, instream flow, aquatic resources, wildlife, salmon and fish species, botanical resources, recreation, aesthetics, cultural resources, socioeconomics, subsistence, transportation, project safety and more. This is in addition to the historical data gathered from the 1980s Susitna River project and the 18 studies conducted this past summer.

The deadline to comment on the Revised Study Plan is Friday, Jan. 18, 2013. You can file your comments online with FERC eComment (Project P-14241). FERC is anticipated to make its study plan determination on Feb. 1, 2013.

According to Wayne Dyok, project manager, “Filing the Revised Study Plan is the culmination of nearly a year’s worth of work.” Dyok continues, “The project team and licensing participants, including state and federal resource agencies, should be commended for a tremendous effort that lead to achieving this milestone.”

The Revised Study Plan is available online at Susitna-WatanaHydro.organd through FERC’s eLibrary. Here are some helpful links:

Throughout FERC licensing, the study planning process is extremely iteractive with multiple opportunities for public involvement. Technical work-group meetings were held over several months and multiple drafts of the study plans were published in an effort to incorporate stakeholder feedback.

Also on Friday, Gov. Parnell released his capital and operating budgets and included was $95 million for Susitna-Watana Hydro. It is anticipated that this funding will provide environmental field work, geotechnical drilling and engineering design work through FY 2014.