Standing before the Pine River Hydro Dam, which will be removed to bring back free flowing waters, Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt endorsed an agreement today between the Wisconsin Electric Power Company, state and federal officials, and conservation groups, to improve three watersheds, replenish 160 river miles, and protect more than 22,000 acres of pristine lands in the Menominee River Basin of Wisconsin and Michigan.
The 40-year, landmark settlement represents the first time in America that a utility, public officials and environmentalists have negotiated a cooperative agreement prior to the start of the relicensing process. Wisconsin Electric, serving thousands of customers, will continue profitable, low-cost energy production. By improving the watershed for brook trout, lake sturgeon, smallmouth bass and walleye, as well as for hunting and rafting throughout the area, the agreement will boost and broaden the diverse, renewable recreation-driven economy.
"This is a watershed agreement in both meanings of the term" said Babbitt. "By looking at the entire natural Menominee basin, as well as all current and future needs of the stakeholders who live in it, we proved it was possible to save time, millions of dollars, and above all the fish and wildlife we care for as stewards of Gods creation. As others approach the complex and contentious process of operating and relicensing dams, this stands as a model for the nation."
Specifically, the Wilderness Shores Settlement Agreement:
Hydro dam overhaul, fish benefits within entire basin
* Removes the Sturgeon Hydro Dam in Michigan and the Pine Hydro and Woods Creek Dams in Wisconsin to restore free flowing river habitat.
* Stabilizes flow down 70 miles of Menominee River from the Sturgeon Falls Dam to Green Bay.
* Increases minimum flows in Paint and Michigamme River for fish and recreation.
* Provides for run-of-river at Way Dam, Hemlock Falls Dam, and the Lower Paint Diversion Dam.
* Provides run-of-river at all dams during the spring spawning period for fish.
* Installs fish barriers at all hydro project intakes to reduce fish loss from turbine mortality.
* Establishes a $3.4 million fish protection fund.
* Provides fish passage fish passage
Fish passage is the ability of fish or other aquatic species to move freely throughout their life to find food, reproduce, and complete their natural migration cycles. Millions of barriers to fish passage across the country are fragmenting habitat and leading to species declines. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Fish Passage Program is working to reconnect watersheds to benefit both wildlife and people.
Learn more about fish passage upstream of several hydro projects when and where appropriate.
Thousands of acres of land and water available for use by the public and wildlife management
* Protects 22,000 acres of pristine and riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian project land from development.
* Conserves federal and state-listed species like the endangered gray wolf and threatened bald eagle.
* Develops a Canoe Trail with wilderness camp sites along the Menominee River, with signs to describe Voyager historical and cultural heritage in area.
Points of Contact for partners to the Agreement:
Wisconsin Electric Power Company - Rita Hayen, Project Engineer (414) 221-2413
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Jim Fossum, Biologist (414) 465-7440
State of Wisconsin - Tom Thuemler, DNR Fishery Biologist (715) 582-5008
State of Michigan - Gary Whelan, DNR Fishery Biologist (517) 373-1280
National Park Service - Angie Tornes, Environmental Protection Specialist (414) 297-3605
Michigan Hydro Relicensing Coalition - Jim Schramm, Executive Director (616) 869-5487
River Alliance of Wisconsin - Sara Johnson, Executive Director (608) 257-2424
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 530 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies. For further information about the programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region, please visit our home page at: http://midwest.fws.gov
