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Pend Oreille Receives Fiber Optic Grant

Pend Oreille PUD was awarded a $27 million Round 1 Grant Award from the National Telecommunications and Information Agency (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) for a wholesale, open access fiber to the premise project in Pend Oreille County, Washington.

The approved BTOP funding is for a last mile project, commonly termed fiber to the premise. The project will deploy fiber optic wire to the southern half of Pend Oreille County. The area of deployment was limited during the grant application process. Because the northern part of the county is served by a provider that currently has a federal loan or grant, the District could not include it in the application.

The fiber optic project will pass approximately 5,000 households in an approximate 400 square mile area of the county. The District plans to connect at least 20%, or about 938 homes.

CHR Solutions, Inc. was recently hired as the engineering firm for the project. Work on the environmental assessment for the project is underway. The projected schedule includes engineering to be completed during 2010, followed by the start of construction in the spring of 2011.

Archaeological Site Field Visit

An open house of an archaeological dig site in northern Pend Oreille County was attended by approximately 70 people on Monday, June 14. The event was hosted by the Colville National Forest, in collaboration with the Kalispel Tribe of Indians and Pend Oreille Public Utility District (PUD).

The site, which was discovered 3 years ago and identified as a significant find, may be associated with the summer camp of Chief Victor of the Kalispel Tribe. Archeologists Brent Hicks of Historical Research Associates, and Kevin Lyons, the Kalispel Tribe cultural resource program manager, explained the site and its importance.

Kevin Lyons told the group, "This site is a part of your nation's heritage and a window into how people adapt to change".

Numerous ancient fire hearths and pits made up of fire cracked rock, various stone tools, and thousands of pieces of animal bones have been uncovered by the archaeological team during the last few weeks. Due to the potential for damage and loss from erosion and flooding, the specimens will be removed, analyzed, and curated; and the site will be covered over. Information obtained from the site and laboratory analysis will be used to develop public education opportunities, such as providing information via websites.

Brent Hicks stressed the importance of site security and the preservation of historical resources. "Future generations, who will undoubtedly have more advanced study methods, will be able to obtain even more information about the people who used sites throughout the valley", he said.

Below Normal Snowpack for Pend Oreille River Drainage

Although this past week's weather improved snowpack levels for the Pend Oreille River drainage, they remain well below normal, at 65 percent of average. Mountain snowpack levels typically reach their peak moisture content by early April.

Water for the Pend Oreille River comes from snow in the mountains of Montana,  including the Upper and Lower Clark Fork and the Flathead basins. At 56 percent of average, the Lower Clark Fork River drainage is at near record lows. By comparison, the snowpack levels for Avista Corp. in Spokane are currently at 53 percent of average, which, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture map, puts the Spokane drainage among the worst in the region for projected stream flow.

"It's too early to know how this year's snowpack will affect power generation at Box Canyon Dam", said Terry Borden, Manager of Hydro Production. "It all depends on how fast the snow melts in the mountains, and how wet the spring and summer are", he added. 

For the next four years, power generation, as well as how spring runoff will be handled, at Box Canyon will be affected by the turbine/generator upgrade project. One turbine will be off-line for each year. Under normal conditions, when all four turbine/generators are operational, Box Canyon is able to generate without having to spill water up to 28,800 cubic feet per second (cfs). With one unit off-line, the projection is that the other 3 units will be able to generate up to 21,600 cfs.

The current stream flow forecast is for an average flow of 11,513 in April, with a high flow forecast of 41,665 cfs in late May/early June. Comparatively, the peak stream flow last year was 74,955 cfs in June.

Lake Pend Oreille Level Update

The US Army Corps of Engineers will begin refilling Lake Pend Oreille April 1^st. The following elevations will be targeted to achieve the summer elevation by late June 2010:

BOUNDARY DAM RELICENSING AGREEMENT REACHED

Mill Pond Dam removal and Habitat Enhancement part of the filing

SEATTLE -- After two years of careful study and negotiations, Seattle City Light and Pend Oreille Public Utility District, along with several state and federal agencies, the Kalispel Tribe, conservation groups and concerned local citizens, filed two comprehensive settlement agreements March 29 with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).  The filings signify the culmination of many years of effort to resolve issues related to relicensing of the Boundary Hydroelectric Project and the surrender of the Sullivan Hydroelectric Project.   

"Rarely is FERC presented with two jointly filed settlement agreements that will enable FERC to take action on two projects simultaneously," stated Jorge Carrasco, Superintendent of Seattle City Light.  "What makes these agreements unique are the cost savings and environmental benefits that were made possible by combining the re-licensing of a hydroelectric dam owned by one licensee, with the dismantling of a dam owned by another licensee on a tributary of the same river."

The Boundary Project includes Boundary Dam and is located on the Pend Oreille River in northeast Washington State.  It is owned and operated by Seattle City Light and accounts for more than half the power the utility produces. 

The Sullivan Creek Project, owned and operated by the Pend Oreille Public Utility District, is located on Sullivan Creek – a major tributary entering the Pend Oreille River about 10 miles upstream from Boundary Dam.  The Sullivan Creek Project includes the Mill Pond Dam, Sullivan Dam and Reservoir, and the Sullivan Creek Diversion Dam. Hydroelectric operations at Sullivan Creek were discontinued in 1956.  The project currently provides summer recreational opportunities and additional water for downstream hydroelectric dams October through May. 

In submitting these agreements, the US Forest Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Park Service, WA Department of Ecology, WA Department of Fish & Wildlife, American Whitewater, Lands Council, Selkirk Conservation Alliance, Kalispel Tribe and several members of the public support the continuation of power generation at Boundary Dam, while agreeing to the removal of the Mill Pond Dam, a major fish barrier.  In addition to addressing dam operations, these agreements provide for the protection and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat, native species protection, improved public recreation facilities and programs, and a commitment to maintaining the regional quality of life enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.     

Removal of Mill Pond Dam will provide potential access to more than 16 miles of spawning, rearing, overwintering and foraging habitat for fish.   Upstream fish passage will also be provided at Boundary Dam to connect habitats and fish populations above and below Boundary Project, which should lead to healthier populations of native fish throughout the Pend Oreille basin.   

Also included in the settlement agreement provisions are measures to enhance recreational opportunities in the watershed.  These include new reservoir operations at Sullivan Lake to improve angling and sport fish populations in the Lake; measures to benefit native fish in Sullivan Lake, Sullivan Creek, and Outlet Creek; improved summer recreation lake levels; and improved fall paddling opportunities on Sullivan Creek.

Under the terms of the agreements, the Boundary Project will continue to provide electricity much the same as it has during the past 50 years.

With the filing of this joint agreement, FERC will conduct its own environmental review of the proposal before making a final licensing decision in 2011.

Seattle City Light is the ninth largest public electric utility in the United States.  It has the lowest cost customer rates of any urban utility, providing reliable, renewable and environmentally responsible power to nearly 1 million Seattle area residents.  City Light has been greenhouse gas neutral since 2005, the first electric utility in the nation to achieve that distinction. 

Pend Oreille PUD is a public utility district located in Northeast Washington State, providing quality service at low cost including power, drinking water and wholesale broadband service to residential, commercial and industrial customers in Pend Oreille County.

Energy Northwest Welcomes Pend Oreille PUD

On January 27, 2010, Energy Northwest's board of directors voted unanimously to approve the membership application from Pend Oreille County Public Utility District. As a member of the public power agency, the PUD will have the opportunity to help shape Energy Northwest's role in regional public power activities.

The new member brings the Energy Northwest membership to 28, including 23 public utility districts and five city municipal utilities. This is the largest membership in the almost 53-year history of the organization.

"Pend Oreille is a welcome addition to the state's public power consortium", said Vic Parrish, Energy Northwest CEO. "Our strength from inception has been in working together to benefit Washington ratepayers, helping bring environmentally responsible solutions to the region's energy challenges".

Pend Oreille PUD is a consumer-owned and locally controlled electric and water utility in Pend Oreille County, Washington, serving approximately 8,500 electric customers. Kenneth R. Hirsch, president of the PUD's Board of Commissioners, will represent the utility on the Energy Northwest Board of Directors.

"I appreciate the unanimous vote and the warm welcome from the Board of Directors", said Kenneth R. Hirsch. "It will be an honor for me to represent Pend Oreille PUD as we work on issues of importance to public power in the state of Washington".

Energy Northwest was formed as a joint operating agency in 1957 to provide low-cost power for its publicly-owned utility members by aggregating needs and building power generation facilities to meet those needs. The agency produces power at the cost of production for its members and operates Columbia Generating Station, Packwood Lake Hydroelectric Project, White Bluffs Solar Station, and Nine Canyon Wind Project.

Each member utility has a seat on the Energy Northwest Board of Directors. The board meets quarterly and holds the authority to start and terminate major construction projects and approve membership applications.

"We are pleased to welcome Pend Oreille County PUD as our 28^th member", said Judy Ridge, Energy Northwest Board of Directors President. "Our growing membership demonstrates the importance of Energy Northwest in aggregating public power needs to provide clean and affordable electricity options in our region".

Pend Oreille PUD Receives Enron Settlement Money

During the first week of December, the Washington State Attorney General's office distributed more than $9 million in Enron settlement funds to state utilities. Allocations were made based on the number of customers served by each utility. Pend Oreille PUD's portion of the settlement funds was $17,478.63.

The terms of the Enron settlement required that the money be used to directly or indirectly benefit low-income energy assistance and/or weatherization programs. Accordingly, the PUD will deposit the funds into the Neighbors-In-Need Program. Administered by Rural Resources, the Neighbors-In-Need Program assists families in Pend Oreille County who are facing financial crisis situations due to employment layoffs, medical conditions, or other unexpected circumstances.

In 2008, more than 65 local families received assistance from the Neighbors-in-Need Program. "We're meeting a very real need with this program", said Jan McCarty, the PUD's credit manager. "It's a valuable resource for families who don't qualify for other assistance programs, and during these tough economic times, the need is even greater", she added. 

Borrow a Life Jacket Program

Pend Oreille PUD kicked off a Borrow A Life Jacket program recently at Campbell Pond at Box Canyon Dam, near Ione, WA. The program invites visitors to pick out a life jacket from a variety of sizes provided, use it while they are in the water, and return it when they are done.

Our goal is to increase the enjoyment and safety of children and adults who visit Campbell Pond, said PUD General Manager, Bob Geddes.  We are hoping the Borrow A Life Jacket Program will be successful at Box Canyon, and that it can be implemented at other recreational sites along the Pend Oreille River, he added.  See Photo.

Fish Planted in Power Lake

Attention anglers, young and old. The fishing is fine, especially for the little anglers at Power Lake, where Pend Oreille PUD recently planted 2,000 10-inch triploid rainbow trout.

Amenities at Power Lake include a campground and sheltered picnic area near the lake. Non-motorized boats only may be used on Power Lake. For the ultimate enjoyment of the newly planted fish, the PUD's Natural Resources staff suggests anglers give the fish a couple of weeks in their new environment.  See Photo.

Metaline Falls to Receive Grant Funding for Water System

The Town of Metaline Falls, as the recipient, and Pend Oreille PUD, the sub-recipient, have received preliminary notice that they will receive $774,000 in grant funds from the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development. Official notification of the grant is expected to be received within the next few weeks.

Signing Ceremony Marks Milestone for Box Canyon Dam

After years of negotiation, a final settlement has been reached on the appealed conditions of the Pend Oreille PUD's Box Canyon Dam license renewal. This agreement is indicative of the dedication and persistence displayed by Pend Oreille PUD and the Kalispel Tribe of Indians, and will positively benefit the region as a whole.

To commemorate this historic milestone, the PUD and the Kalispel Tribe of Indians hosted a signing ceremony on April 10, 2009. Over 40 people were in attendance, including representatives of the other organizations involved in this settlement - Ponderay Newsprint, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Indian Affairs. George Skibine, Interior Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Economic Development-Indian Affairs, traveled from Washington DC for the event.  See Photo.

"This was a team effort and we are glad that we were able to reach an agreement," said Bob Geddes, PUD General Manager. "We feel like we have fairly addressed all concerns and now look forward to implementing the license conditions."

The conditions that have been changed since the issuance of the 50-year license granted to Box Canyon Dam in 2005 include:

Improved Fish Passage

1. "A safe, timely and effective" downstream fish passage facility by an efficient, non-turbine route.
2. Ultimately, this will grant more fish passage at a higher success rate, creating opportunities for the fish population to recover.

Tributary Habitat Restoration Plan

1. In addition to creating properly functioning habitat, this condition requires the removal of non-native fish and reintroduction of target trout species.
2. The Habitat Restoration Program requires 164 miles of tributary habitat to be restored within the first 25 years of the license and maintained perpetually, through the term of the license.
3. The purpose of this condition is to promote habitat that is conducive to the conservation of fish populations and habitat.

Recreation

1. The recreation condition requires the PUD to develop a Recreation Resource Management Plan to protect, mitigate and enhance recreation facilities impacted by the Box Canyon Project.
2. The PUD will make funds available for the Kalispel Tribe to use for construction of recreation facilities at the Pow Wow Grounds, Kalispel Boat Launch and Manresa Grotto Beach.
3. This condition will improve the local landscape and recreational areas available to the Kalispel Tribe on the reservation.

The signed agreement must now be approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). This process could take up to six months. FERC will also rule on the updated completion dates of existing conditions from 2005, when the license was initially issued. Many of these deadlines were stayed due to the prolonged litigation. Dates of completion will be adjusted accordingly. The new license will be valid from 2005 to 2055.

Metaline Falls Water System Receives $400,000 Grant

Pend Oreille PUD has been awarded a $400,000 STAG (State and Tribal Assistant Grant) for improvements to the Metaline Falls Water System. The grant funding was authorized in the fiscal 2009 appropriations bill passed by Congress and signed by President Obama last week.

The grant funds will be used to partially fund three projects: replacing a 50-year old water pipe that runs along the bed of Sullivan Creek, improvements to the North Fork Dam, and a Lehigh Hill pipe replacement project.   

Employment Opportunities at Box Canyon Dam

Work is underway for the major turbine-generator upgrade project of Pend Oreille PUD's Box Canyon Dam. The installation of four new turbines, by Andritz Hydro, the general contractor for the project, is scheduled to begin this summer.

In order to accomplish all of the on-site work, Andritz Hydro will be hiring 15 millwrights, 5 welders, and 2 crane operators. It is their intent to fill these positions locally. The work schedule is expected to begin July 15 and end February 1 for each of the next four years.

"The continued operation of Box Canyon is important for all of Pend Oreille County", said PUD's General Manager, Bob Geddes. "By moving ahead with the turbine-generator upgrade, we're doing what needs to be done, in order to assure that Box Canyon will be generating power for another 50 years. And, it's an extra bonus that the on-site work will provide employment for some of our county's residents".

Persons interested in applying may send resume and work history to: Lewis Morgan (lewis.morgan@andritz-hydro.com) c/o Andritz Hydro Corp. 1050 SR 28, Rock Island, WA 98850.

Settlement Agreement Reached for Box Canyon License Conditions

Please note – The Settlement Agreement will be final upon approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).  Settlement agreement (pdf)

PUD gets recognition for its Wildlife Management Lands at Tacoma Creek

Pend Oreille PUD gets recognition for its Wildlife Management Lands at Tacoma Creek. The following is an article included in a recent Spokane Canoe and Kayak Club newsletter . . .

My, How Times Have - Recently Changed! - Stan Mrzgod

Gasoline under $2.00 a gallon, your retirement portfolio worth only half of what it was worth last year, a "person of color" on the way to the Oval Office, and now, hold on for this one: a new natural area water access that welcomes non-motorized boaters! No, I'm not messing with you on this one! Seriously! At no cost to you, the Pend Oreille County Public Utility District, in cooperation with the Audubon Society, is now developing a trailhead access three and a half miles north of Cusick on State Route 20. Currently, the Tacoma Creek Wildlife Area is far beyond the paperwork stage. Nails are being pounded!

In mid-November, I chatted with Mr. Bart George, the POC-PUD biologist, and Syd, (who paddled outrigger canoes when she was living in Hawaii), as the two were installing a new wooden fence around a freshly graded parking lot near the information kiosk. Taking into account that they were working outside their specialties, they were doing an exceptional job on the fence. Both are excited about what the new area has to offer, and after paddling it three times myself in the last couple of months, once with my wife, Lynn and son, Lee, so am I! Tacoma Creek meanders eastward in tight loops across the old flood plain of the Pend Oreille River. The creek opens up as it nears a railroad trestle about a half mile away from the access. After passing under the trestle, the creek deepens and flows south through hay fields and stands of poplar, pine and tamarack to where it joins with the Trimble Creek estuary and the main Pend Oreille River. To the west is snow-capped Kalispell Peak, 6700 feet, and to the northeast, across the river, 5300 foot Cee-Cee-Ah Peak. Wildlife abounds, I have seen ducks, geese, heron, bald eagles, vultures, whitetail deer and even an elk. The waterway is closed from April to July so as not to disturb nesting birds.

Bart asked if the SCKC would be paddling here next year, and I assured him that I would certainly be coordinating an event to showcase this wonderful area to Club members. I profoundly thanked him, Syd, and the Pend Oreille County Public Utility District for preserving this natural wetlands and establishing a paddler friendly access.

Capital Improvements at Box Canyon Increase Power Production

Two recently completed capital improvement projects at Pend Oreille PUD's Box Canyon Dam, a new trash rake and two replacement generator step-up transformers, have resulted in increased efficiency and notably higher productivity.  (See Photos)

The trash rake, a large rail-mounted cleaning device, was installed in late 2007. Its purpose is to alleviate the lost generation that is caused when debris accumulates on the trash racks. As floating and submerged debris flows into the forebay at the dam, it is trapped against the trash rack's large metal grates. As debris accumulates, the amount of water flowing into the turbines decreases, resulting in a loss of generation. The trash rake is used to scrape the metal racks to clear away the debris in front of the intake gates. The 73-foot arm extension range of the new rake allows the Box Canyon crew to thoroughly clean the intake gates, which reduces the differential between the water flowing into and out of the dam. Since the installation of the new rake, power generation has increased an average of between 2 to 5 megawatts. The additional generation created by the efficiency of the trash rake varies, depending on river flow and conditions. During the month of October 2008, power production increased an average of 2 megawatts. At an average market price of $50 per megawatt-hour, the increase resulted in nearly $75,000 in additional power sales.

New generator step-up transformers are also increasing power generation at Box Canyon. Two were purchased and installed at the Box Canyon substation during 2008. They replaced the original 50-year old transformers that were installed during the construction of the dam (1952 - 1956). The smaller, yet significantly more efficient equipment has proven to increase production by reducing losses. Also, unit output voltages can be readily increased via tap changers, which effectively lowers current and therefore temperature in the generators. The remaining two original generator step-up transformers will be replaced in 2009.

Pend Oreille PUD Board and Employees Assist Neighbors In Need

With year-to-date donations falling significantly below previous years, the Commissioners and employees of Pend Oreille PUD provided some much needed assistance for the Neighbors In Need Program last week. 

Over $10,000 was secured for the program by the PUD Commissioners, who elected to take advantage of an Electric Utility Tax Credit for Rural Economic Development Revolving Fund through the Washington State Department of Revenue. Participation in the program allows the PUD to donate funds to the Neighbors In Need Program and provides eligibility for a tax credit of fifty percent of the donation.

Rainy, windy weather didn't dampen the spirits of the PUD employees, who held a garage sale on June 6, and raised $1,316 for the program. (See Photo)

The Neighbors In Need Program provides assistance to families in Pend Oreille County, who are facing financial hardships due to the loss of a job, illness, unexpected medical bills, or other unforeseen expenses. The program is administered by Rural Resources, and funds are used to help families pay their electric bills. 

Cusick Transformer Failure

Pend Oreille PUD's customers responded to a plea to use less power from the utility last Friday and were the deciding factor in avoiding a major power outage. Friday afternoon through Saturday morning, customers voluntarily reduced their electrical usage, which allowed the utility to continue service to the majority of its customers until a failed transformer at the Cusick Substation could be replaced.

Early Friday, February 1, the Cusick Substation failed, resulting in the loss of power for approximately 1,500 customers. Within a few hours PUD crews were able to transfer electrical loads to other substations and restore power to all but about 100 customers. The utility worked throughout the day and into the evening transferring loads to other circuits and was able to restore power to all customers.

With electrical loads from Cusick transferred to other substations, the District's distribution system was loaded to maximum capacities. "We knew it wouldn't hold through the evening", said Chris Jones, Line Superintendent. "We needed our customers to help by using less electricity." The PUD's Customer Service Representatives and other staff telephoned as many customers as possible and asked them to reduce power usage. Pend Oreille County Emergency Services and Sheriff's Department assisted by issuing an emergency broadcast. "With everyone's cooperation, we avoided a major power outage", said Jones.

Meanwhile, back at the Cusick Substation, the failed transformer was examined and determined to be damaged beyond repair. PUD crews began an extensive process of moving its only spare transformer from the Diamond Lake Substation to Cusick. The 25-ton transformer arrived at Cusick Friday evening, and crews worked through the night to complete the installation by Saturday morning.

PUD management is currently considering how best to fit the unexpected expense into its budget. Preliminary cost estimates to replace the transformer are approximately $1.75 million.

Doctors' Network Improves Area Healthcare

Pend Oreille PUD and Newport Hospital recently completed a broadband project, which resulted in a giant, technological leap forward for local medical care delivery.

With their recent conversion to a fully computerized medical records system and connection to a regional information system network via Newport Hospital, the local physicians recognized patient care could be improved if they were able to access their medical records system from their homes. However, due to the federal regulations protecting confidential medical records, electronic transfers of this sensitive data must be done through an encryption process. Since satellite and wireless communication systems do not have the capacity to reliably handle encrypted data, fiber broadband was the only solution.

Newport Hospital and the PUD developed a plan to deploy fiber optics to the homes of four physicians in the county, and the "Physicians' Network" was born.

An example of how the new technology could benefit a patient would be a case where a local automobile accident victim from the county is transported to Newport Hospital. The emergency room can contact the victim's physician, and before the doctor leaves home, they can retrieve electronic medical information for the patient from the secure medical records system. If the victim has received medical care at any medical facility in the region, pertinent information, such as drug allergies, pre-existing conditions, radiology or CT exams, etc. can be reviewed, and the physician can make a more informed decision and effectively treat the patient immediately. Doctors are also able to view x-rays, heart monitors, scans, and other test results.

 "The Doctors' Network is a win-win situation", said Joe Onley, the PUD's Community Network System Manager, "It's convenient and time saving for the physicians, and convenient and potentially life saving for patients."

Pend Oreille Public Utility District
130 N Washington, PO Box 190, Newport, WA 99156-0190
Tel: 509 447-3137
FAX: 509 447-5824
Internet:  information@popud.org