On May 8th, 1997 the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a new 40 year license for the Hatfield Hydroelectric Project (FERC P-10805) on the Black River in central Wisconsin.

The license directed the utility to release minimum flows into the historic river channel for whitewater boating on the third Saturday of the month of April (2,350 cfs), May (1,595 cfs), June (895 cfs), July (1,070 cfs), and August (835 cfs). Whitewater boaters have been disappointed that the release schedule has not been fully implemented. The National Park Service, Friends of the Black, and American Whitewater have been working with the utility to develop alternative flow proposals with the goal of providing a more dependable schedule of recreational opportunities.

If you have observations, suggestions, or complaints on the implementation of releases (what's working and what's not) it would be extremely helpful to register your thoughts with FERC where they will be placed on the public record. You can do this by writing to the Secretary at FERC using the following address. Be sure to include the project name and number so your comments are filed correctly:

Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 888 First Street, NE Washington, DC 20426 RE: Hatfield Hydroelectric Project 10805

FERC filings

• FERC Order Modifying Recreational Flow Releases, issued Jun 4, 2008
• Proposal for Revised Recreational Flow Release Plan including record of AW consultation, Jul 30, 2007
• FERC Order Modifying Recreation Plan, issued Feb 2, 1999
• Licensee Submitted Recreation Plan, filed Nov 12, 1998
• FERC Hydropower License, issued May 8th, 1997
• Motion to Intervene of American Whitewater and American Rivers, filed Nov 23, 1992

Website: North American Hydro Public Info