Will sustainable wild fisheries, particularly salmon, and healthy watersheds become a priority in the new administration? Or will the rush to "save the economy" override the need to carefully consider the impacts of new projects on wild fish stocks and watershed health?
In particular will the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, FERC, the review agency for hydro-electric projects be overhauled to ensure that new hydro-projects do not negatively impact wild fish stocks? And will certain projects with limited value for energy production and proven destruction of wild salmon stocks be reviewed and considered for removal? Will the comments and input of scientists from the National Marine and Fisheries Service and elsewhere be given the credence necessary to protect and restore wild fish stocks, particularly salmon?
One new hydro-project proposal that should not be constructed is one proposed for the upper valley of the Chilkoot River near Haines, Alaska. Some projects that should be considered for deconstruction are the four lower Snake River dams and the Klamath River dams.
The proposal for hydro-electric project near Haines, Alaska, is currently being pushed by Alaska Power and Telephone (AP&T) in the upper Chilkoot River watershed above Chilkoot Lake. Chilkoot is a small river, twenty miles long. The upper watershed above the lake, where the project is proposed, is a wetland valley (five miles long and one-half mile wide) dedicated as Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve because it is spawning and rearing habitat for wild sockeye and coho as well as home to eagles, bears, moose, and more. There are many good places for hydro-projects, but Chilkoot is not one of them.
AP&T is using the call for renewable energy in the country to push for this project at this time (for their own profit), even though Chilkoot provides the community of Haines with healthy affordable food, a sustainable traditional lifestyle, and contributes to the local fishing and tourist economies. Alaska politicians are not expected to be particularly helpful in this arena because they tend to have too many $$$ in their eyes and are quick to form political alliances with corporations and local governments anxious for growth and development without giving much credence to sustainable wild fish and healthy watershed concerns.
The challenges and complexities of today's world will command the attention of President Obama, his cabinet, and Congress. We the people need to remind them of the importance of wild fish stocks and healthy watersheds so that money does not flow freely to line the pockets of corporations and utility companies at the expense of the resources that are necessary to the quality of life of the people.