Federal Columbia River Power System

Overview

The FCRPS is a series of hydropower projects on the Columbia and lower Snake rivers that collectively provide about 30% of the electricity used in the Pacific Northwest. The Bureau of Reclamation and US Army Corps of Engineers own and operate the dams in the FCRPS. FCRPS | Map

FCRPS and the ESA

The operation of the FCRPS affects 13 species of Columbia River Basin salmon and steelhead listed for protection under the ESA. In addition, two native stocks (bull trout and sturgeon) are affected by operation of the federal dams. The ESA requires the agencies that operate the FCRPS, called Action Agencies, to ensure that their actions are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of a listed species, nor result in the destruction or adverse modification of habitat designated as critical to its conservation. The three FCRPS Action Agencies are the Army Corps of Engineers, Bonneville Power Administration, and the Bureau of Reclamation.

The FCRPS Action Agencies consult with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) on the management of the FCRPS as required by the ESA. NOAA Fisheries has issued several biological opinions on the operation of the FCRPS. The action agencies also consult with the US Fish and Wildlife Service on the impact of the FCRPS on sturgeon and bull trout. Two biological opinions have been issued, one in 2000 and one in 2006. Visit www.salmonrecovery.gov to learn more about these biological opinions.

Tributary Habitat Program
Reclamation's Tributary Habitat Program in the Pacific Northwest Region was initiated in 2000 as part of the NOAA Fisheries Biological Opinions on Operation and Maintenance of the Federal Columbia River Power System. Reclamation is currently operating under the 2008 FCRPS Biological Opinion.

The Federal Caucus

The Federal Caucus is a group of eight agencies (including the agencies in the FCRPS) with natural resource responsibilities in the Columbia River Basin. Visit http://www.salmonrecovery.gov for information about the Caucus and its activities to protect and recover ESA-listed species in the Columbia River Basin.

FCRPS Adaptive Management Implementation Plan

Last Update: November 13, 2009 5:19 PM