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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-082 Findings - Water Resources DeptpF I �v� t F i'-�l �f` P/.: v1t1 F S� 0 ���1 �ase VICTOR ATIVEH C�� 7�� Water ResourGes Department MILL CREEK OFFICE PARK 555 13th STREET N.E., SALEM, OREGCN 97310 November ?4, 1981 Brian L, Almquist City Fldministrator City Hall Ashldrd, Or. 97520 Dear h1r. Almquist, PHONE 378-361 Enclosed is the order adopted by the Water Policy ReVieW Board on permit application 61057, Sincerely, �ames E. Sexson Director Encl. 1 cc: Larry Jebousek Dave Hendrix JES:bhm u� �z��i i� O ,l t�� /.J ,L� v. ��i-�ii l �c2e j�l c a<.:_c BEFORE THE WATER POLICY REVIEW BOARD OF THE In the Matter of the Referral) of Permit Application 61057 Involvinq Use of Wat2rs of Ashland Creek for Power Development FINDINGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS AND ORDER The City of Ashland has submitted p2rmit application 61Q57 °or a hydroelectric project exczeding lOC theo.�tical horsepower. The permit application was referred to the PJater Policy Review Board by the Director of the Water Resources Department under the provision of ORS 537.170. A hearing was held in Ashland on July 22, 1981. As a result of the review of the application and the hearinq summary, the Board makes the following: FINDINGS OF FACT 1. The City oT.Ashland proposes to divert up to 30 cfs of water from Ashland Creek and Reeder Reservoir for power qeneration. 2 On July 28, 1980, the proposed use was not for the Rogue Basin. STATE OF UREGON Water Policy Review Board determined that the inconsistent with the Water Resources Program 3. The applicant proposes to use the existing city far.ilities including diversion dams on the East �r.d West Forks of Ashla;,d Creek, Reeder Reservoir, Hosler Dam, a pens�ock and a powerhouse. 4. A new single turbine 70U KW qenerating unit will be installed in the existing powerhouse. 5. Power will be generate on a year-round base load or run-of-the-river basis usino up to 30 cfs of water. 6. The City of Ashland has an existirg wat2r riqht for 12.7 cfs of water from Ashland Creek for municipal use. 7. Water will be run through the generating plant before being diverted to the City's water treatment plant for municipal distribution. 8. 9. 10 Flows im excess of the amount needed for municipal use will be returned to Ashland Creek after heing used for power production. Power is presently purchased by the City of Ashland from P.P.& Power will be purchased from BPA in February. 11. Power aenerated purchased power municipal lines. by the proposed project will be combined with and distributed through the City of Ashland's 12. The City of Ashland owns most of the land in the project area. 13. POitiOt�s 0` the div�cisioi� dflmS� Reed2r Feservcir 2i�d the' pBiiStG[k pipeline are on U. S. Forest Service lands and will require an annual special use permit. 14 15 16 No conce*r,s regarding _water quality are connected with the installation of the hydroelectric project. The proposed hydroelectric project will have only minimal impact on the anadromous fishery. No recreation facilities are present as the Ashland Creek watershed is closed to the public above Hosler Dam. 17. Wind power and a congeneration fecility using wood residue are alternative energy sources but both are more costly and take longer to implement than the proposed hydroelectric project. 18. 19 The proposed project would cost approximately $668,000. Financing for the project will probably be through the sale of general obligation bonds. CONCLUSIONS The Water Policy Review Board concludes that the project as proposed would not impair or be detrimer�tal to the public intere�t. ORDER It is hereby ordered that permit application 61057 be and is approved. It is further ordered that permit 2pplication 61057 be returned to the Directnr of the Water Resources Department for such `urther proceedinas as may be required by statute. Dated November 9, 1981 Donel J. Lan air Water Polic �eview Board -2- APPEALS AND JUDICIAL REVIEw ORS 536.560 provides any order, rule or regulation of the 4later Policy Review Board may be appealed to the circuit court of the county in which the property affected by such order, rule or requlation or any part of such property is situated. ORS 183.482(1) provides that judicial review of contested cases is conferred upon the Court of Appeal.s. Judicial review may be obtained by fillino out a petition for review within 60 days from the service of this order. Judicial review is pursuant to the provisions of ORS 183.482, Until this conflict is judicially resolved, and an appeal is desired, it may be advisable to commence appeal or review procedures in the circuit court and Court of Appeals simultaneously. 7083A