Tetra Tech, Inc. (Tetra Tech) is managing the multidisciplinary relicensing environmental/ engineering support studies for the 1,070-megawatt Boundary Dam in eastern Washington, one of the largest conventional hydropower projects in the United States. The project is a vital component of Seattle’s power generation system, supplying more than 31 percent of the city’s electrical power needs. The project is licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC); the current license expires in 2011.

Working closely with the client, Seattle City Light (SCL), Tetra Tech is conducting 24 major studies and providing input to environmental protection, mitigation, and enhancement measures that address ongoing operations and maintenance impacts. Tetra Tech is managing and conducting the studies for this multi-year effort. The studies will provide the documentation needed to support the FERC license application.

The scope of work involves field work, effects analyses, report development, budget preparation and tracking, scheduling, quality control, and technical support on agency/Tribe/stakeholder consultation. Tetra Tech is also managing more than 10 specialty subconsultants.

Boundary Dam is situated along the Pend Oreille River. Tetra Tech had to address logistical and safety issues to access the remote sampling locations. Through Tetra Tech’s commitment to safety, there have been no recordable injuries or lost time incidents in over 50,890 hours of work through 2007.

PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

• Management of large multidiscipline field studies and evaluations
• Extensive interaction with resource agencies (Federal and State), Tribes, Stakeholders, and Canada in project planning and implementation
• Document planning, development, coordination, editing, and completion for 24 key study areas
• Interdisciplinary planning and environmental/engineering studies
• Timely Compliance with Schedules: SCL must comply with strict FERC-imposed study and licensing deadlines. SCL has met all key deadlines