Dear __________________
I am writing to express my full support and ask for your support of the National Organization to Save Flathead Lake (NOSFL) to stop the unnecessary draining of Flathead Lake by the operators of the SKQ Hydroelectric project on Flathead Lake, Montana.
The operators of the SKQ dam, the Energy Keepers, Inc (EKI) would have you believe it is just a matter of drought conditions, and yes, we may be having lower than normal water runoff but there are viable proven solutions to the problem.
NOSFL refers to this approach as the “Two Step Solution” in which the lake is brought to within 1 ft of full pool, then outflows are matched to inflows thereby sustaining lake levels for the summer season, June – Labor Day. This is the natural, logical approach and solution to drought conditions in the Flathead Basin.
In 2023, Flathead Lake experienced disastrously low lake levels that negatively affected commerce, agriculture, private property, businesses, and tourism – all of which impacted the hundreds of millions of dollars of revenue to Montana and the regional economy. Furthermore, extremely low water levels led to environmental degradation of wetlands, fish, waterfowl habitat, and public safety, contributing to algae growth and increased turbidity in numerous areas.
Previous Dam operators sought and received regulatory approval to reduce the License minimum outflows and successfully maintained Lake levels within 1 foot of full pool for over 60 years.
A few weeks ago, EKI asked for and received a modification to outflows, but then immediately raised the modified flows back up 1,000 cfs, putting more stress on lake levels EKI is giving priority to downstream power interests in Idaho and Washington over those of Montana’s stakeholder and for what? Profit?
There are simple, logical, and economical solutions.
I urge you to support the National Organization to Save Flathead Lake, the people of Montana, and specifically the people of Flathead Valley, by not to allowing SKQ’s energy sales to trump all other stakeholders’ interests.
I encourage you to use your influence with the Department of Interior to request the Licensee (EKI) implement the modified minimum outflows from SKQ through the remained to this summer.
Thank you for your time and understanding.
Respectfully submitted,
Name:
Address:
Date:
