1. American Falls hydro plant detail
2. American Falls Dam detail

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission plans to prepare an environmental assessment of a plan by Idaho Power Co. to relicense its hydroelectric power plant at American Falls Dam on the Snake River.

No changes to power plant operations are expected under the new license, company spokesman Brad Bowlin told Capital Press. Potential changes focus on increased rainbow trout stocking in American Falls Reservoir and improvements to recreation access and related facilities that Idaho Power provides.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation owns the dam, which is important to irrigation in the region. Idaho Power owns the hydroelectric plant, which has three generators and can produce up to 92,340 kilowatts of electricity.

Idaho Power works closely with Reclamation, the state Department of Fish and Game and other stakeholders to support fish habitat and water quality downstream of American Falls, “and we will continue to do that,” Bowlin said.

The power plant’s license expires Feb. 28. Idaho Power in August 2022 submitted a draft license application to FERC and stakeholders ahead of a 90-day comment period. After reviewing comments, the company submitted a final license application last Feb. 14.

Based on information in the record, including comments, FERC does not expect that licensing the plant would constitute a “major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment,” so preparation of draft and final environmental assessments is planned, according to a commission announcement in the Federal Register.

A draft environmental assessment is expected to be issued in October, with comments due in November, according to the commission. A final environmental assessment is currently expected next April.

Environmental assessment results can include a finding of no significant impact or a determination that a more detailed environmental impact statement must be prepared.