Dewater Cherry Creek? What would you do?

[fiddleyak]

No, as far as I know, there are no threats to dewater Cherry Creek. Sorry to get your attention that way.
However, in Seattle we are facing that nightmare: one of our best local class V runs, Ernie’s Canyon of the NF Snoqualmie, has an open application for a run of the river diversion. This would basically destroy a great run that flows almost year round.
At this point, what we need to do is show that there is significant opposition to this. Can each and every one of you please got to the FERC website and post a comment stating that you are against this project? Even if you have never paddled this stretch, your voice will make a difference.
Seriously, please take the 5 minutes to file a comment. It's really easy to do. Saying something as simple as "As a kayaker, I'm against putting in a diversion that would destroy a high-quality whitewater run" isn't too much to ask.

Simple directions:

GO TO:

http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ecomment.asp

-Click the Orange eComment Tab at the top of the page.
-Fill in your name and email
-Check your email for an email from FERC
-Search and select docket P-14110
-Write a comment!

If you want to register, you will be notified of other comments and updates. For that, go to:

http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp

For American Whitewater's description:

http://www.americanwhitewater.org/co...ticleid/31058/

To see other comments:
http://elibrary.ferc.gov/IDMWS/docket_search.asp
Search: P-14110

Thanks!
Ben Hawthorne

[cgoold]

I'm sorry to hear that. I submitted my comments - here's hoping for the best.
While runs like the NF Snoqualmie might not have a large population of boaters who have the requisite skills to paddle the reach, from everything I understand the beauty and quality of Ernie's has tremendous value for those who do paddle it.

How many megawatts would the proposed development yield? I was under the impression that Ernie's was a fairly small stream.

Let's hear it for those out there working hard on truly minimal impact low-carbon alternatives like solar and wind.

[fiddleyak]

Thanks Carleton and everyone else who's commented so far.
The AW description describes it pretty well, but basically it would divert up to 900cfs to generate 25MW.
The run is boatable at 300-900ish cfs. Getting flows above 1000 are unusual, only during decent rains and runoff. Ernie's is boatable practically every month except for the late summer. This diversion would therefore reduce the season hugely, for a relatively small amount of power.

[fiddleyak]

Hello Boof,
The project outlined above has been proceeding along. We are now in the second comment period. This is the one that counts the most!

Deadline is July 24th.

Please post a comment even if you never plan on running Ernie's. Comments from people out of state are valuable because they help demonstrate the national value of this river.

Simple directions:

GO TO:

http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ecomment.asp

-Click the Orange eComment Tab at the top of the page.
-Fill in your name and email
-Check your email for an email from FERC
-Search and select docket P-14110
-Write a comment!

[Paul]

Thanks for letting everyone know about this Ben. Just sent through a comment (it's pretty easy to do).

If you haven't had a chance to fill this out please do. As Ben mentioned the deadline is the 24th.

[fiddleyak]

Thanks for the comments so far.
This is a new phase, so even if you posted a comment in the earlier period, you need to re-submit.