Collaborative relicensing: can it work?

The problems of reconciling the well-being of fish and the needs of operators of hydro plant are discussed by a relicensing manager. Traditionally, such matters have been argued in a court of law but here a new approach was taken. Before filing an application (for the Avista project), all interested parties were asked to present their views so that agreement was reached before the license was applied for. Central to these agreements was what was called a 'Living Licence' which means that instead of having unalterable plans covering tens of years, amendments can be made as and when necessary. The new process appears to have saved the company millions of dollars. (UK)