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Public support growing for alternatives to Prairie du Sac Dam fish passage
Primary concern continues to be that a required fish passage may allow Asian Carp to go upstream
Prairie du Sac, Wis. – September 12, 2013 – Members of the public commenting on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) open house meeting on the proposed fish passage for Alliant Energy’s Prairie du Sac Dam expressed strong support for studying alternatives to building a fishway. The USFWS is currently studying alternative approaches to installing a fishway at the Dam; on July 15, 2013, USFWS held an open house at Ruth Culver Community Library in Prairie du Sac to seek input from the public.
“The people who provided input to the USFWS, most of whom own property in the Sauk Prairie and Lake Wisconsin area, are supporting alternatives to a fish passage,” said Scott Wilson, Alliant Energy Manager of Hydroelectric Generation. “Their number one concern continues to be that a fish passage could allow Asian Carp and other invasive species into the upper Wisconsin River, Lake Wisconsin and beyond.”
The public comments submitted to the USFWS illustrate this concern. Nearly all who commented preferred another course of action rather than the construction of a fish passage. While the “leave it as it is” alternative was by far the most popular among commenters, some offered other ideas, such as fish stocking, netting or trapping and transporting fish.
Public comments also cited some specific concerns related to invasive species getting into the upper Wisconsin River. Among those were: loss of property value, damage to native fish populations, giving invasives a pathway into northern Wisconsin waters, and the negative consequences for recreation and the economy of the area. Several commenters detailed current problems they face with invasives already present in Lake Wisconsin, such as zebra mussels, and they are opposed to any government action that could open a path for more invasive species.
As part of the public comment period, U.S. Senators Ron Johnson (R-Oshkosh) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Madison), along with U.S. Representatives Tom Petri (R-Fond du Lac) and Mark Pocan (D-Madison), joined a bipartisan group of twenty Wisconsin state legislators in asking the USFWS to take a comprehensive look at alternatives to a fish passage at the Prairie du Sac Dam. The group of elected officials also expressed concerns regarding Asian Carp and invasive species.
Alliant Energy actively supports efforts to maintain native fish populations in the Wisconsin River. “We are part of this community and share the concerns of others, including the USFWS, about Asian Carp, VHS (a deadly fish virus) and other invasive species,” added Wilson. “We agree with those commenters’ sentiments that if there are viable alternative approaches to a fish passage, which could both benefit native fish and greatly lessen the risk of invasive species getting into the upper Wisconsin River, they should be given equal consideration.”
The USFWS is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate the impacts of several alternatives for the proposed fish passage at the Dam on the Wisconsin River. Following completion of a draft EA, the agency will publish a notice and the public will be invited to comment on the document. According to the USFWS website, a draft EA is expected to be completed and available to the public in late 2013.
Alliant Energy Corporation’s Wisconsin utility subsidiary, Wisconsin Power and Light Company, utilizes the trade name of Alliant Energy. The Wisconsin utility is based in Madison, Wis., and provides electric service to 459,000 customers and natural gas service to approximately 180,000 customers in more than 600 communities across central and southern Wisconsin. The employees of Alliant Energy focus on delivering the energy and exceptional service their customers and communities expect – safely, reliably, and affordably. Visit alliantenergy.com or call 1-800-ALLIANT (800-255-4268) for more information.
