CALIFORNIA SPORTFISHING PROTECTION ALLIANCE
"CONSERVING CALIFORNIA'S FISHERY RESOURCES"
1360 NEILSON STREET / BERKELEY / CA 94702-1116 / 510-526-4049

NEWS ADVISORY - For Release on August 5, 2001

Contact: Jerry Mensch: 916-363-4021 / Jim Crenshaw: 530-661-0997 /
      John Beuttler: 510-526-4049

Angling Group Engages Energy Crisis
Intervenes To Protect Fisheries from Hydro Project Development

The California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA) announced today the
filing of five "Motions to Intervene" with the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC) over preliminary permits for hydroelectric projects
proposed in central Sierra watersheds. FERC is the federal agency that issues
licenses to permit the construction and operation of non-federal
hydroelectric projects throughout the United States.

According to CSPA President Jim Crenshaw, "Taking such action is an arduous
ordeal requiring considerable expertise, time and expense. But it is a
necessary one if we are to prevent further impacts to the state's once
premiere trout, salmon and steelhead fisheries that have declined
significantly as a result of hundreds of poorly planned hydroelectric
projects. The vast majority of these project were authorized by FERC under a
prejudicial federal permitting process."

CSPA has filed interventions on: The Martis Creek Project - Martis Lake; the
Boca Project on Boca Reservoir; the Jackson Meadows Project in Nevada and
Sierra Counties; a new dam and hydro project on Stony Creek in Colusa County
and the Camptonville Pow-Our House Project on the Yuba River which are now
under consideration by FERC for federal licensing.

"Given the state's energy crisis and the increasing cost of electricity, FERC
will be eager to grant permits to these projects," said Crenshaw. "Previously
FERC licensed hydro projects have devastated some of our most productive
trout, steelhead and salmon waters. They consider their mandate to authorize
such projects and not to protect the public's fishery resources. If we don't
intervene, these projects will further deplete our fishery resources."

According to CSPA's consultant, Jerry Mensch, "Our intervention on behalf of
our members will give CSPA legal standing in all of the FERC proceedings on
these projects. We have also requested numerous scientific studies be
conducted during the three year Preliminary Permit period to provide the
information needed to develop mitigation measures for incorporation in any
future FERC license."

Mensch also noted: "We are appalled that none of the project applicants were
proposing any evaluations of potential project impacts to fishery resources,
the aquatic habitat or on recreational use. It's no secret that hundred of
miles of world class river and streams have been destroyed due to hydro
development.  CSPA intends to assure completion of the necessary
environmental and recreational studies to prevent any additional damage to
these public resources. Filing of "Motions to Intervene" is the first step in
this battle."

"As Governor Davis has discovered," said Mensch, "FERC is not our friend.
They have done little to undo the damage cause to our fishery resources over
the last fifty years of poorly conceived small hydroelectric project. We will
have to fight them all the way to get them to protect the little that
remains!"

"Our state's rivers and streams play a critical role in sustaining our
irreplaceable fish and wildlife heritage," said Mensch. "These resources, if
properly managed and protected, provide the public with a vast source of
renewable wealth. We also recognize the need the state has for water and
power. The development of these resources can be done in a manner far less
damaging to our fisheries than in the past, but this will only happen if it
is made a priority!"

[CSPA is a nonprofit fishery conservation organization dedicated to
protecting fishery resources and the right anglers have to utilize these
resources. It is supported in part by the Northern and Southern California
Councils of the Federation of Fly Fishers, other organizations and by
individual members. Those interested in helping CSPA conserve the state's
fishery resources can call them at 510-526-4049 for additional information.
CSPA is a member of the California Hydropower Reform Coalition.]

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