For the uninitiated, this is not a new issue. CFM and Salmo g. have been discussing the Cowlitz River Project relicensing issue for the past several years. It flares up every 6 - 8 months or so. Every time I read the discussion/argument, I come down squarely with Salmo g. (not that my opinion means much).

As a veteran of numerous relicensing battles, I know the difficulties of the process. It's a multi-party negotiation where the power company has a very strong negotiating position. If the power company decides to play hardball, progress can be difficult (e.g., Cushman). Abandoning the negotiation process and relying on the Feds (i.e., FERC) to make the licensing decision is likely to result in a worse decision for the fish, not better. As I see it, the new license is probably as good an agreement as possible given the realities that Mossyrock and Mayfield will likely remain in place for the foreseeable future (not so with Condit, Powerdale, Elwha, Glines Canyon, Marmot, etc.)

Will everyone be happy with the new license for the Cowlitz? No. But it would unrealistic to assume 100% satisfaction by all. Was there enough public input to the process? Probably not. But there was more than enough to satisfy what is required by law.

Rather than argue about whether the new license is sufficient, we should all recognize that the Cowlitz River fishery was undone by the construction of Mossyrock and Mayfield, not by NMFS, Friends of the Cowlitz, the FTC, or any other of the good folks working to restore whatever is left of the river. The Cowlitz ain't what it used to be but it's what we have. If you want to point fingers, point them at Tacoma Power.