Water Resources Committee Lunch Presentation - PSE Baker River Hydroelectric Project
Come join us Thursday, September 19th in Seattle for a lunch time talk by Nick Verretto from Puget Sound Energy, who will be presenting on fish passage at PSE's Baker River Hydroelectric Project. This month’s meeting is at Brown & Caldwell in Seattle. We'll be ordering pizza for everyone who RSVP's
Abstract: Case study of fish passage development and Sockeye recovery at PSE’s Baker River Hydroelectric Project, lessons learned through decades of development, implementation, and operation. Provide insight on those items that were the most challenging. Discuss the primary failures, challenges, and refinements that eventually led to overall project success. Discuss how the use of barrier, guidance, and lead nets influence fish movement from a physical and behavioral perspective.
Nick Verretto: Fishery biologist for Puget Sound Energy with 34 years’ experience in hydroelectric project licensing, upstream & downstream fish passage system development & operation, compliance, research and mitigation programs development, and occasionally handling a fish or two. Immersed in consultation & design of Snoqualmie Falls conceptual screens & trap designs, White River screens & bypass, outmigrants collection system on Upper Puyallup R., and Baker River upstream trap and both floating surface collectors. Managed consultation & design processes for upstream and downstream fish passage facilities selection, design, physical & hydraulic modeling, development, commissioning and evaluation. Work has led to relationships of trust, cooperation and confidence with agencies, continued record outmigrations and returns, resurrection of cultural, recreational and commercial fisheries, regional and national program recognition & numerous awards, as well as restoration of imperiled Baker R. Sockeye stock and removal from ESA "candidate species" status by NMFS in 1999.
Brown & Caldwell Seattle Office, One Convention Place, 701 Pike Street, Suite 1200, (206) 624-0100 [Map link]
Email seattleascewre@gmail.