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1995 RESOLUTIONS


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FEDERATION OF WESTERN OUTDOOR CLUBS







RESTORATION OF SNOQUALMIE FALLS IN WASHINGTON
1995 FWOC Resolution No. 7:

Snoqualmie Falls is a unique, natural geologic feature on the Snoqualmie River near Seattle, Washington.  Besides being a beautiful waterfall, it is also a sacred site of the Snoqualmie Native Americans and a major tourist attraction.
After the area near the falls was settled by European immigrants late last century, the federal government leased the lands, which included the waterfalls, to Puget Power and Light Company, a private electric utility.  To produce electricity, this corporation installed a tunneling system that diverted the water from the falls through a power plants' electrical generators.  The utility also dynamited natural rocks at the crest of the falls.

Recently, when Puget Power's lease on Snoqualmie lands was up for renewal, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) held obligatory public hearings to obtain comments on this issue.  At these hearings, public testimony was almost unanimous in opposing the renewing of Puget Power's lease.  Plans for a large power plant expansion by the utility have been denied by the FERC, but continuance of the lease for continuing the power plant operations is still under consideration.
At the Snoqualmie hearings, the Snoqualmie Native American people, members of local churches, environmental groups and other public-spirited individuals, favored the dismantling of this Puget Power and Light power plant facility.  They also supported the proposal that the Falls and the surrounding area be designated a National Monument under which the Falls would be returned to its natural flow.

The Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs recommends that the Snoqualmie Falls be restored to its natural state before the water was diverted.
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FWOC members and member clubs are urged to send a copy of the above resolution, along with any comments they may have on this issue, to:
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Lois D. Cashell, Secretary
825 Capitol Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20426




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