H.R. 9492

To amend Public Law 99-338 with respect to Kaweah Project permits

 

STATEMENT OF MICHAEL A. CALDWELL, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, PARK PLANNING, FACILITIES AND LANDS, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BEFORE THE HOUSE NATURAL RESOURCES SUBCOMMITTEE ON FEDERAL LANDS CONCERNING H.R. 9492, A BILL TO AMEND PUBLIC LAW 99-338 WITH RESPECT TO KAWEAH PROJECT PERMITS.

September 18, 2024


Chair Tiffany, Ranking Member Neguse, and members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to present the Department of the Interior’s views on H.R. 9492, a bill to amend Public Law 99-338 with respect to Kaweah Project Permits.

The Department supports H.R. 9492.

H.R. 9492 would increase the number of permit renewals the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to issue for the Kaweah hydroelectric project from three to seven. It would also remove the reference to a specific utility company.

Between 1900 and 1910 a regional power company was permitted to construct several small dams and a system of flumes within Sequoia National Park to power hydroelectric power plants outside of the park. Pursuant to legislation requiring Congressional authorization for operating such power infrastructure within park boundaries, in 1986 Congress authorized the Department to issue up to two ten-year permits for Southern California Edison to operate the Kaweah Project. In 2004 the law was amended to allow for three additional permit renewals. The existing permit authority expires in 2026.

While hydroelectric operations are generally not an appropriate use of national park lands, this system has been in operation for over a century, and it is understood that removal of the infrastructure would pose substantial technical challenges and have significant short-term environmental impacts. H.R. 9492 continues the practice of allowing the Secretary to issue permits for no more than 10 years at a time—a practice which allows for relatively frequent review of resource impacts and modifications of the permit, if necessary, to assure protection of park resources. The Department also recognizes that the flexibility to permit an appropriate alternative energy producer for an increased number of renewals enables a more viable business model for its commercial operation.

Chair Tiffany, Ranking Member Neguse, this concludes my statement.  I would be pleased to answer any questions you or other members of the Subcommittee may have.

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