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The PNCA provides something like the forum discussed in this document Parties to 

 the agreement can sit down at the same table and optimize power generation given 

 specific water conditions and nonpower requirements at the various hydroelectric 

 projects. However, no forum exists at which entities representing all the other uses of 

 the river - fisheries, flood control, navigation, irrigation, recreation, vdldlife, cultural 

 resources, etc. - sit down at the same table with the power users and make joint 

 decisions about how to operate the river. 



In effect, the SOR lead agencies act on behalf of all the nonpower uses for Federal 

 projects. The Corps and Reclamation, as owners and operators of the Federal dams 

 develop operating requirements on behalf of the nonpower uses at their projects. BPA 

 participates with the Corps and Reclamation in determining these requirements. The 

 operators can unilaterally determine operations on the Federal system for nonpower 

 uses; they cannot unilaterally determine the operation at non-Federal facilities. 



The SOR lead agencies effectively allocate the water and flows for protection of 

 nonpower uses first, then the remaining resources are planned for under the provisions 

 of the PNCA, which is collaborative with other non-Federal utilities cmd optimizes 

 power generation and reliability. Of course, when the SOR lead agencies act on behalf 

 of the nonpower uses they are themselves constrained by their ov^m mandates, the 

 authorizing legislation for each Federal facility, treaty obligatioixs with Indian Tribes 

 and wath Canada, and various obligations under Federal laws and regiilations. 



September 15, 1993 



