Bear River dam proposal rejected

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has denied the Twin Lakes Canal Company application to build, operate, and maintain a 10-megawatt hydroelectric dam on the Bear River in Franklin County.

The project would have occupied about 89 acres of federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. It would have flooded a 4.5 mile stretch of the Oneida Narrows Canyon east of Preston.

In its denial, the commission found that while the project would have certain benefits, its adverse impacts outweighed its benefits.

Idaho Rivers United Executive Director Kevin Lewis said the project would have been inconsistent with the reasons the Oneida Narrows Research Natural Area was established.

“Today’s action by ends a nearly 14-year fight to protect a unique and beautiful river canyon,” said IRU Executive Director Kevin Lewis. “For generations local citizens have hunted, hiked, camped, fished and floated along this section of the Bear River. Now, future generations will be afforded the same opportunities.”