HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugusta Canal (2)
Augusta Richmond GA
DOCUMENT NAME: A.~C\'2>~Q CD, \ill
DOCUMENT TYPE: '(e.ro\UT\CTl
YEAR: C\19
BOX NUMBER: 03
FILE NUMBER: \ ~U
NUMBER OF PAGES: 0
MAR-18-1997 12:22
P.02/04
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RESOLUT:ION
WHEREAS, The City Council of August~ has operated the
Augusta Canal since 1845; and
WHEREAS, The City Council of Augusta initially became
licensed to operate the Augusta Canal in 1929 for a period of fifty
(50) years; and
WHEREAS, in 1979, The City Council of Augusta sought to
renew its license to the Augusta Canal; and
WHEREAS, as a part of the re-licensing process, the
United States Fish and Wildlife Service took the position that
certain studies were needed in order to determine the effect of the
Project upon the fish and certain endangered plant species; and
WHEREAS, the members of the former City Council of
Augusta resisted performing such studies, in part based upon the
anticipated cost of approximately $200,000 to fund such studies;
and
WHEREAS, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC),
through notices to the City Council of Augusta, notified the City
of Augusta that unless such studies were conducted, the City of
Augusta ran the risk of having its application for re-licensing
dismissed; and
WHEREAS, the City of Augusta failed to fund such studies
and failed to initiate steps to demonstrate good faith undertakings
in order to satisfy FERC; and
M~R-18-1997 12:22
P.03/04
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WHEREAS, the Office of Hydropower Licensing dismissed the
City of Augusta's application for re-licensing on January 28, 1994;
and
WHEREAS, upon application for rehearing by the City of
Augusta, FERC issued its Order on March 18, 1994, granting a
rehearing IIfor the limited purpose of further consideration"; and
WHEREAS, thereafter FERC issued its Order on March 4,
1996, denying such rehearing finding that "Augusta's failure to
pursue a license diligently warrants dismissal of its application;"
and
WHEREAS, the newly formed and elected Augusta-Richmond
County Commission-Council desires to state its intent and resolve
to comply with the requirements of FERC for the licensure of the
Augusta Canal: and
WHEREAS, there 18 currently budgeted $250,000 in
anticipation of performing the habitat based 1n stream flow
incremental methodology (IFIN) study of the bypass reach of the
Savannah River and surveys and biological assessments for an
endangered plant species and a rare plant speciesas requested by
FERC: and
WHEREAS, the Augusta Canal, and control of the Augusta
Canal, is vital the fulfillment of The Augusta Canal Master Plan to
make the Canal "a point of focus to reinvest in historic settings,
to attract contemporary development, and to use its spectacular
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~R-18-1997 12:23
P.04/04
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setting for recreation and environmental learning; and
WHEREAS, control of the license by Augusta-Richmond
County is vital to the continued water supply to Augusta-Richmond
County and as a revenue source to Augusta-Richmond County;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Augusta-Richmond
County Commission-Council that the Interim Attorney be instructed
to file a Motion for Reconsideration of the Order denying rehearing
and that a copy of this Resolution be included as a part of such
Motion for Reconsideration;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Augusta-Richmond County
Commission-Council hereby expresses its intent and resolve to
proceed expeditiously with the previously requested studies, with
such studies to commence promptly after FERC reinstates the
application previously filed by The City Council of Augusta, and to
complete same within any reasonable time constraints imposed by
FERC.
Duly adopted by the Augusta-Richmond County Commission-
Council by a vote of I~ for, ~ against, and ~ abstention,
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this ~day of April, 1996.
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TOTAL P.04