The FCRPS action agencies operate the hydro system consistent with BiOps issued by NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Through a coordinated set of hydro project management actions, the action agencies’ goals are to enhance juvenile and adult fish survival, to achieve the performance standards set in the 2008 NOAA FCRPS BiOp and to provide benefits to resident fish.
Several planning documents help guide this process, as listed below:
Water Management Plans describe how the action agencies will operate the FCRPS dams and reservoirs during the water year (Oct. 1 through Sept. 30) consistent with the applicable NOAA and USFWS BiOps, while also meeting non-BiOp operations such as flood control, hydropower, irrgation, navigation and recreation. Because very little is known about the water conditions of the upcoming year when the plan is completed, the annual WMP is a general description of operations, including any special tests, flood control procedures planned, etc., that are known at the time the WMP is developed. The Action Agencies also develop more detailed in-season action plans and update them reguarly as water conditions for the year become more clear. See prior year WMPs by going to the appropriate page on this site.
Fish Passage Plans are developed by the Corps in coordination with the region’s fish managers and BPA. The FPP describes year-round project operations, operational procedures, maintenance and research at the mainstem dams and Chief Joseph to protect and enhance ESA-listed fish. The FPP is revised as necessary in coordination with appropriate state and federal entities.
Fish Operations Plans are prepared annually by the Corps to describe spill and flow management on the FCRPS during the April-August fish migration season under the court-ordered operations for the FCRPS BiOp. See 2007 FOP by going to the appropriate page on this site.
Hydro operations litigation: In recent years, the operations of the FCRPS for fish have been the subject of litigation under NWF v. NOAA Fisheries. Posted here, according to the operations year to which they apply, are the federal agencies' proposals, declarations and other documents presented to the Court in this litigation.
Technical Management Team The Technical Management Team (TMT) is an inter-agency technical team that makes recommendations on FCRPS dam and reservoir operations for ESA-listed salmon. Membership includes representation from the FCRPS action agencies (Bonneville Power Administration, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and the Bureau of Reclamation), NOAA Fisheries, and tribal and state fish managers. The Corps representative chairs the team.
The TMT meets weekly during the spring and summer juvenile fish migration and less frequently during the fall and winter months.