The Energy Planning & Instream Flow Branch of the Habitat Conservation Division . . .
assists the
Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission in the review and licensing or
re-licensing of numerous non-Federal hydropower
projects.
provides intensive involvement in multi-party
negotiations aimed at balancing the needs for power generation,
fish and wildlife habitat protection and preservation,
and recreational opportunities.
provides technical expertise
and working closely with other Fish and Wildlife Service, Federal,
and State agency staff in evaluating
the adequacy of instream flows to protect and preserve
anadromous and resident fisheries.
The hydropower
licensing process provides the Service with a critical role in
pursuing the restoration of the nation's wetlands, waterways, and
watersheds through its various programs in collaboration with our
partners.
Opportunities include restoring river flows, protection of
fish and wildlife habitat, protection of listed species, provision
of fish passage to reconnect fragmented river habitats, and fish and
wildlife restoration.
This effort integrates many of the
Service's programs and has a long tradition of fostering
collaboration with the regulated community and our partners to
accomplish common ecosystem conservation and restoration goals.
The
program success requires a long-term project planning commitment
(the FERC licensing process averages 7 years to complete) to reap
long-term fish and wildlife benefits (30-50 years).
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