Alabama Power Company (Alabama Power) required general professional services related to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) relicensing of the R.L. Harris Hydroelectric Project. Issues include evaluating a 1-4 foot change in the winter pool elevation to support recreation access to Lake Harris; modeling and evaluating alternative downstream releases. These operational changes require evaluating economic, environmental, and recreational effects.
Kleinschmidt provided strategic services, project management, and information management, including a relicensing website, stakeholder database, and administrative record database. We also worked with Alabama Power to scope issues, develop study plans, and conduct relicensing studies. We created a stakeholder process (Harris Action Teams) incorporating stakeholder input. Kleinschmidt conducted hydrologic and hydraulic modeling of the Tallapoosa River and managed subcontractors responsible for various FERC-approved studies. We also provided facilitation services for stakeholder meetings.
Early consultation and front-end work engaged stakeholders and resulted in agreement on studies conducted supporting the license application. This early engagement reduced project costs by minimizing rework and streamlining stakeholder approvals in the later stages of the project. Moreover, the early implementation of studies provided additional time before filing the license application to consider appropriate protection, mitigation, and enhancement measures.
Regional Vice President
Steve Layman, Ph.D.
“I really enjoy the energy and collaborative spirit for sound science and creative solutions that protect the environment here at Kleinschmidt.” Steven Layman has over 35 years of hydropower-specific experience and is Kleinschmidt’s Southeast Region Vice President. Steve is a senior aquatic ecologist and fisheries biologist who specializes in leading ecological assessments and managing project...