1. US Army Corps of Engineers Northwestern Division Northwestern Division 1 System Flood Control Review: Regional Agency Review Briefing Lonnie Mettler Northwestern Division

2. US Army Corps of Engineers Northwestern Division Northwestern Division 2 Current Action Prior to proceeding to the Feasibility Study, the Corps is asking the region to review and provide support for further actions. It is important the region understand the significant commitment required not only in the time it will take to answer some very critical questions on the benefits of flow to improved fish passage, but also the costs associated with doing so.

3. US Army Corps of Engineers Northwestern Division Northwestern Division 3 Recommendation Federal Interest Federal Interest Set of Actions to Satisfy Objectives Set of Actions to Satisfy Objectives Regional Support Regional Support

4. US Army Corps of Engineers Northwestern Division Northwestern Division 4 Background GUIDANCE 2000 Biological Opinion (NMFS) 2000 Biological Opinion (NMFS) Senate Committee Language – 2003 Senate Committee Language – 2003 Updated Proposed Action - 2004 (Action Agencies) Updated Proposed Action - 2004 (Action Agencies) Revised 2004 Biological Opinion (NMFS) Revised 2004 Biological Opinion (NMFS)

5. US Army Corps of Engineers Northwestern Division Northwestern Division 5 Background PURPOSE AND SCOPE Consider potential modifications to Columbia River flood control operations Consider potential modifications to Columbia River flood control operations Consider how possible modifications would benefit Columbia River ecosystem Consider how possible modifications would benefit Columbia River ecosystem Continue to maintain acceptable levels of protection from damaging floods Continue to maintain acceptable levels of protection from damaging floods Continue to recognize all project purposes Continue to recognize all project purposes

6. US Army Corps of Engineers Northwestern Division Northwestern Division 6 Assumptions Initiation of Feasibility Study dependent on favorable agency review & congressional notification Initiation of Feasibility Study dependent on favorable agency review & congressional notification Biological benefits linked to attaining flow objectives for fish Biological benefits linked to attaining flow objectives for fish FS alternatives will involve change in reservoir regulation to include Canadian storage regulation FS alternatives will involve change in reservoir regulation to include Canadian storage regulation All authorized project uses will be fully considered when formulating alternatives All authorized project uses will be fully considered when formulating alternatives

7. US Army Corps of Engineers Northwestern Division Northwestern Division 7 Assumptions (continued) New flood damage curves will need to be developed New flood damage curves will need to be developed Potential structural and/or operational modifications can be made at operating facilities or elsewhere in the basin to offset some if not all the increased flood risk Potential structural and/or operational modifications can be made at operating facilities or elsewhere in the basin to offset some if not all the increased flood risk Acceptable levels of flood control may need to be redefined Acceptable levels of flood control may need to be redefined

8. US Army Corps of Engineers Northwestern Division Northwestern Division 8 Assumptions (continued) A non-Federal sponsor will not be identified A non-Federal sponsor will not be identified Funding for conducting a Feasibility Study will be cost shared through hydropower rate payer contributions Funding for conducting a Feasibility Study will be cost shared through hydropower rate payer contributions Proposed work is compatible with other ongoing efforts in the region Proposed work is compatible with other ongoing efforts in the region FS will be phased FS will be phased

9. US Army Corps of Engineers Northwestern Division Northwestern Division 9 Phased Approach Phase I FOCUS: Is there water available to achieve environmental benefits needed for the fisheries? ACTIVITIES: Hydrological Evaluations, Limited Economic/Engineering Evaluations, Limited Environmental Studies

10. US Army Corps of Engineers Northwestern Division Northwestern Division 10 Phased Approach Phase II FOCUS: Do the environmental benefits justify the costs associated with changes to the flood control system? ACTIVITIES: Hydrology/Hydraulic Evaluations, Economic/Engineering Studies, Environmental Studies to Refine Environmental Benefits, Limited Cost Estimates, Fish/Wildlife Coordination

11. US Army Corps of Engineers Northwestern Division Northwestern Division 11 Phased Approach Phase III FOCUS: Are there environmental benefits that can be achieved with investment and low risk of failure to flood control system? What early action measures can be recommended? ACTIVITIES: Preparation of Interim Feasibility Report. Continuation of studies to finalize results and make a recommendation.

12. US Army Corps of Engineers Northwestern Division Northwestern Division 12 Phased Approach Phase IV FOCUS: Complete Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement on a Preferred Alternative? ACTIVITIES: Prepare Final Feasibility Report and EIS, conducted public hearings, seek Congressional authorization and appropriations to begin implementation of Preferred Alternatives.

13. US Army Corps of Engineers Northwestern Division Northwestern Division 13 Timeline Submit Reconnaissance Report – Summer 2006 Submit Reconnaissance Report – Summer 2006 Complete Project Management Plan – Spring 2007 Complete Project Management Plan – Spring 2007 Initiate Feasibility Study – Spring 2007 Initiate Feasibility Study – Spring 2007 Complete Feasibility Study – Fall of 2012 Complete Feasibility Study – Fall of 2012

14. US Army Corps of Engineers Northwestern Division Northwestern Division 14 Summary Prior to proceeding to the Feasibility Study, the Corps is asking the region to review and provide support for further actions. It is important the region understand the significant commitment required not only in the time it will take to answer some very critical questions on the benefits of flow to improved fish passage, but also the costs associated with doing so.