Avista is using THE alternative licensing process (ALP) to relicense the Post Falls dam and four other power generating facilities on the Spokane river in the US, which were built between 1890 and 1922.
The alternative process proved to be successful in relicensing the 697MW of power from the Noxon Rapids and Cabinet Gorge dams on the Clark Fork river. ALP streamlines the relicensing process by involving people from all affected interests from the outset.
Hydro power generators on navigable waters must relicense every 30 to 50 years so operations, protection, mitigation and enhancement measures can be reviewed. The Clark Fork ALP included minor modifications to the dam and changes in minimum stream flow.
The Post Falls dam only regulates the level of Lake Coeur d’Alene about half the year.