A new 316(b) Rule (Rule) draft has recently been issued (FR 22174-22288) and is open for comment. As in the past, Alden will be providing an independent review and comments.
The Rule is definitive in how existing facilities can comply with impingement mortality reduction standards: installation of traveling water screens with fish protection features; or, installation of a technology which is designed with a 0.5 ft/sec through-screen velocity. The issue of reduction in entrainment mortality is to be determined on a site-specific basis by the Director or Permit writer.
Alden is uniquely qualified to address screening technologies and their biological efficacy. Our multidisciplinary approach combines expertise in intake design and operational engineering, biology, economics, hydraulics and hydrology, and environmental restoration. Alden has abilities to conduct numerical and physical hydraulic modeling to assure no adverse effects (e.g. cavitation) on existing cooling water pumps which is advantageous in assisting industry considering retrofit technologies. As the Rule develops and ultimately is issued in final form, Alden anticipates continuing support of industry by providing independent peer review of proposed entrainment characterization studies.
