Camas Prairie, Elmore County, Idaho

Tag Archives: Communications

FERC Requests Info from Cat Creek Energy

Proposed Cat Creek Energy Project

In a previous post dated Feb 26, 2019, we highlighted the fact that the FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) has requested additional information from Cat Creek Energy (CCE).  This is a request regarding a successive preliminary permit application for their Pumped Storage Hydroelectric project.
The Cat Creek Energy project will get more complicated as the developers start interacting with state and federal entities before they can move ahead with the project.  We feel it’s important for all Elmore County residents to understand the entire process.

Reference: http://catcreek-energy.com/ferc-request-cat-creek-provide-additional-information-by-march-8-2019/

We Think It’s Important to Understand the FERC Requests For Information

The FERC has requested Cat Creek Energy provide information, action and/or documentation regarding two different issues.  These requests apply to their bid to use public land and infrastructure for the pumped storage hydroelectric portion of their mega-energy project.  This project will affect the backcountry of Elmore County, Idaho.

Background for FERC Request #1: Cat Creek Energy wants to build a new reservoir, including a dam on the bluffs above Anderson Ranch Reservoir. They will use water from Anderson to fill their 100,000 acre/foot reservoir.  This will require using six, 15-foot diameter pipes/penstocks.

The bull trout lives in Anderson Ranch Reservoir. It thrives because of the pristine and stable environment found within the South Fork of the Boise River basin, including Anderson Ranch. The bull trout is listed as a threatened species by the U.S. Government.

FERC Request #1: The FERC has requested that CCE show proof of the actions and/or geotechnical studies they have, or will commission in the future, regarding how they will mitigate the effects that their pumped storage hydroelectric project will have on the threatened bull trout.
Remember, the bull trout lives in Anderson Ranch Reservoir, just 1,000 feet from their planned dam/reservoir on Little Camas Prairie. The two reservoirs will be interconnected if Cat Creek gets the approval to move ahead with the project.

By Brambleshire – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17074506

 

Background on FERC Request #2: Cat Creek Energy entered into a “Lease of Power Privilege” (LOPP) with the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) for the use of Anderson Ranch Reservoir. The Bureau of Reclamation has indicated that CCE has yet to provide the required funding to move ahead with the lease agreement.

FERC Request #2: The FERC has requested CCE initiate and memorialize the critical payments and actions required by the “Lease of Power Privilege” (LOPP) agreement.

 

Cat Creek Energy has until March 8, 2019, to fully respond to these two Federal Energy Regulatory Commission requests for information.

 

 

Why … We Ask You to Write a Letter

You should ask Commissioners Wes Wootan, Bud Corbus and Al Hofer why they don’t want you to email them.”

Since we took on the Cat Creek Energy project, we’ve asked you to get involved and take action to put a stop to the ill-conceived mega energy project slated for our Elmore County backcountry. And since that time, the Elmore County Commissioners have removed the “Contact Us” form their website. Why?

Elmore County now asks that you physically write and mail a letter to them if you would like to testify during a Public Hearing if you cannot attend the meeting. And for some people, writing and mailing a letter is acceptable. For others, writing a letter and electronically mailing, emailing, a letter is a much better method of communicating with their elected officials.

Elmore County Sits Alone Among Surrounding Counties

We did some research and discovered the Elmore County Commissioners are the only local county commissioners that do not provide/publish an email address to ensure easy and consistent communications.

The included map graphics shows most counties publish the individual email addresses for their county commissioners (green). Three counties (yellow), however, limit the email address to a generic board of county commissioners email address. Still, writing and delivering a letter, an important idea or thought to those county commissioners is just a matter of pushing a button.

The Elmore County Commissioners (black) sit alone, however. We even emailed the clerk of the board of county commissioners months ago about this issue but received no response from her or anyone from the county.

Breakdown of Published Email Addresses for Local County Commissioner

  • Ada County: Group BOCC email available
  • Owyhee County: Individual commissioner email addresses available
  • Canyon County: Individual commissioner email addresses available
  • Boise County: Individual commissioner email addresses available
  • Camas County: Individual commissioner email addresses available
  • Gooding County: Individual commissioner email addresses available, although not convenient to access.
  • Twin Falls County: Group BOCC email available
  • Blaine County: Individual commissioner email addresses available
  • Jerome County: Individual commissioner email addresses available, although not convenient to access.
  • Custer County: Group BOCC email available

Ask “Why” Today

With a next Public Hearing on Friday, December 14, 2018, you should ask your county commissioner why they wish to limit you from communicating with them only through the United States Postal Service. No other local county restricts their residents in such a way.

Standing out in this manner shouldn’t be considered normal if transparency and open communication is a goal.

Write and Mail to:

Elmore County Land Use and Building Department
520 East 2nd South Street
Mountain Home, Idaho, 83647