Settlement agreement
On Oct. 21, 2008, the Eugene Water & Electric Board and 16 partners representing fisheries and natural
resource agencies, environmental groups, Indian tribes, recreation organizations and fly-fishing clubs,
signed an agreement for relicensing EWEB's Carmen-Smith Hydroelectric Project on the upper McKenzie River.
Settlement agreement
The parties agreed to hundreds of measures that will be undertaken by EWEB as part of a new 50-year operating license.
- A fish ladder at Trail Bridge Dam.
- Downstream fish passage at Trail Bridge Dam.
- Year-round release of water into the McKenzie River below Carmen Diversion Dam and into
the Smith River below Smith Dam.
- Habitat improvements, such as large logs, brush and other measures,
above Trail Bridge and Smith Dams and in the three project reservoirs.
- Removal of dispersed campsites along the Smith River, below the dam.
- Reconstruction of the Ice Cap Creek, Lake's End and Trail Bridge campgrounds.
- Construction of an interpretive center/kiosk at Trail Bridge Dam.
- Construction of a fish ladder and downstream passage for cutthroat trout at Carmen Dam.
- New day-use areas at Trail Bridge, Smith and Carmen Diversion reservoirs.
- Installation of in-stream water flow gauges for fish and recreation.
- Periodic "flushes" of water from Smith Reservoir to improve habitat and provide additional
whitewater recreation opportunities.
- Protection of special-status plant and animal species that occur within the project area.
- Protection and enhancement of plant species of cultural importance
to Native Americans.
- Enhancement of terrestrial habitat within the project vicinity.
- A high-flow water bypass valve at Carmen Powerhouse.
The following individual management plans outline the steps EWEB will take to improve and
protect each area listed below as part of relicensing its Carmen-Smith Hydroelectric Project.
Highlights of each plan are provided, as well.
Aquatics Management Plan
Highlights
Recreation and Aesthetics Management Plan
Highlights
Wildlife Management Plan
Highlights
Historical Properties Management Plan
Highlights
Vegetation Management Plan
Road, Waste Areas, and Staging Areas Management Plan
Additional Measures
Relicensing Agreement Parties
Relicensing Agreement Testimonials
Final License Application (document preceding Settlement Agreement that was submitted
to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in November 2006)
Additional documents posted on FERC's website