March 2, 2006

Agreement reached by 33 organizations on future of Clackamas River hydro project

Portland, Ore. — A wide variety of organizations, including federal and state agencies, environmental organizations, Native American tribes, local governments, water districts and recreational businesses have reached agreement on the future of hydroelectric power generation on the Clackamas River.

Signed by 33 parties on March 2, the agreement creates a plan for improved fish and wildlife protection and recreational opportunities at Portland General Electric’s Clackamas River hydroelectric project.

The signing is a key step in the utility's effort to renew its federal license for operating the facilities. The collaborative effort spanned seven years of discussions between the parties. The agreement now goes to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission which will make the final determination on licensing.

The agreement provides many beneficial measures for fish passage and habitat throughout the project, including a new downstream fish bypass at North Fork and River Mill dams, a new adult fish trap and sort facility at North Fork, gravel placements in two river sections and improved river flows. The parties agreed to enhanced side channels in the Oak Grove Fork of the Clackamas, creating a refuge for a variety of fish species. PGE will also provide expanded recreational facilities, cultural and educational resources and improvements to wetland and wildlife habitat in the Clackamas River area. The terms also provide for a collaborative process for resolution of water temperature issues downstream of the project, to be addressed by PGE, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and other parties. In addition to the agreement, PGE has also remodeled spillways and is building a new fish ladder at River Mill Dam.

PGE’s Clackamas River hydroelectric system includes eight dams, seven reservoirs, four power houses, and miles of pipelines, canals, tunnels and fish ladders, including the North Fork, Oak Grove, Faraday and River Mill developments. It runs from Timothy Lake in the Cascade Mountains to River Mill Dam at Estacada, Ore.

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PGE, headquartered in Portland, is a fully integrated electric utility that serves more than 775,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Oregon.

For more information, contact Mark Fryburg, PGE, 503-464-8444. To view a list of signing parties and their media contacts click here in PDF format.*