A description of the CLHP is contained on the Project description page of this web site. Idaho Irrigation and New Sweden Irrigation districts (Districts) are requesting authorization to divert as much water around the Osgood Reach of the Snake River as they wish provided at least 1,000 cubic feet per second flow remains in the reach. Impacts of such diversion are discussed under the “CLHP Impacts” tab in this website.
The Districts must secure a project license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which will specify the minimum flow that must remain in the Osgood Reach after water diversion. The FERC must prepare an Environmental Impact Statement or Environmental Assessment for the project per the National Environmental Protection Act. FERC requires that the Districts prepare various “resource reports” to inform the FERC for purposes of preparing a project license. Districts must submit a Preliminary License Proposal (PLP) to FERC that is presumably supported by data collected and presented in resource reports.
The FERC cannot issue an Idaho water right to divert Snake River water around the Osgood Reach. Districts must secure a water right from the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR). IDWR has stated that they will wait until FERC issues or rejects a project license before acting.
Land upon which the east side (Idaho Canal) and west side (New Sweden Canal) turbine powerhouses will be located are not currently zoned for industrial use. Districts will need to convince Bonneville County to change zoning to industrial.