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Idaho Power Offers Deal to County by Associated Press Lewiston Tribune, August 6, 2003

BOISE -- Idaho Power Co. has offered an Oregon border county a multimillion-dollar deal as part of relicensing its three Hells Canyon Dams.

Baker County officials are expected to vote on accepting the deal later this month.

Commissioner Fred Warner said the value of the offer could exceed $10 million over the 50 years of the new license.

Under the proposal, Idaho Power will finance a full-time resident deputy sheriff for the Hells Canyon corridor at a cost of nearly $2 million over the life of the license. Sheriffs in Idaho's Washington and Adams counties already have similar agreements.

The utility will spend $1 million to improve two county parks and pay for a full time maintenance worker. The deal also includes nearly $1 million more to maintain the Snake River Road over the life of the license, another $600,000 on trash pickup and more than $400,000 to maintain about three miles of the Homestead Road. The utility would also give $350,000 for a new low-water boat ramp and parking lot at Swedes Landing and $250,000 for weed monitoring.

Idaho Power will also pay for weed eradication if necessary.

The company said it will keep Brownlee Reservoir within eight feet of full from late May through July 4 and will limit spring fluctuations to protect crappie and bass spawning.