Andrew Fahlund, American Rivers, 1025 Vermont Ave, Suite
720, Washington, DC 20005; Voice 202-347-7550; FAX 202-347-9240;
E-Mail afahlund@amrivers.org
Since 1992, American Rivers and the 40 other members of the Hydropower
Reform Coalition have been engaged in a coordinated effort to ensure that the public
maintains its rights and responsibilities within the hydropower licensing process. We
continue to constructively participate in more than 75% of the proceedings before the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission providing the Coalition a unique perspective of the
broad spectrum of successes and failures. Along with state and federal resource agencies,
FERC, the hydropower industry, and interested members of the public, the Coalition has
helped to develop and promote a more cooperative and collaborative process. While this
process is not applicable in every situation, it does provide a greater opportunity for
public participation and potential for better development of science. The Coalition
supports and has a number of recommendations for ensuring good process, appropriate
science, meaningful public participation, a balance of all user groups, and conservation
and restoration of riverine ecosystems.
