Thomas F. Thuemler, Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources, 101 North Ogden Road, P.O. Box 208, Peshtigo, Wisconsin 54157; Voice
715-582-5008; FAX 715-582-5005; E-Mail thuemt@mail01.dnr.state.wi.us
The Menominee River Basin is located in the northeastern part of Wisconsin
and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The river and its tributaries drain an area of 4,100
square miles. There are 20 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regulated hydroelectric
dams located in this watershed. Eight of these projects, in the upper part of the basin,
were due to be relicensed in the 1998-2001 period. The licensee of these projects,
Wisconsin Electric Power Company, the resource agencies and two environmental groups
reached agreement on all issues associated with relicensing prior to license expiration.
This settlement agreement addressed a number of issues that had impacts throughout the
basin. These included flow allocation, water quality, entrainment and turbine mortality,
land and wildlife management, recreation, dam removal and future dam responsibility. The
resource agencies had developed a long-range plan on the fisheries of the Menominee River
prior to negotiating this agreement. This plan proved invaluable in directing and
prioritizing our issues in the negotiations. A key factor in reaching settlement was that
everyone involved took the time to get an understanding of the issues and concerns of the
other parties. Tours of all the projects, impacted river sections and impoundments helped
accomplish this. In addition, all parties took an active role in the studies conducted
prior to licensing. Finally a team made up of the licensee, the resource agencies and the
environmental groups will implement the settlement agreement
