Gerrit J. Jobsis, South Carolina Department of Natural
Resources, P.O. Box 167, Columbia, South Carolina 29209; Voice 803-734-4134;
FAX 803-734-6020; E-Mail gerritj@scdnr.state.sc.us
Given new status through the passage of the Electric Consumers Protection
Act (1986), several state fish and wildlife agencies in the Southeast became active in
hydroelectric project licensing during the late 1980's and the 1990's. Issues addressed by
these agencies included instream flow, fish entrainment, water quality, recreation,
shoreline management, fish passage and reservoir level fluctuation. During the first
decade of the new millennium, new licenses will be required for more megawatts of
hydroelectric power than during the 1990's decade. How will recent experiences be used to
address hydroelectric licensing during the next decade? A survey of issues, concerns and
experiences of southeastern state fish and wildlife agencies related to hydroelectric
licensing was conducted. The results of this survey and the outlook for licensing
activities during the next decade will be presented.