FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT RENEWABLES

Myth: The rivers should be left in their natural free-flowing state

While no one would argue the merits of preserving pristine rivers in their natural state, it is a fact of modern life that our rivers provide many social and economic benefits and help maintain our standard of living.

A better proposition, albeit a more difficult one is: "We can maximize a river's benefit to human activity by making sound choices that balance all competing values, including its existence value".

A river's existence value - because it exists undeveloped whether anyone sees it or not - is one way to appreciate a river. Recreation, scenic beauty, and fish and wildlife habitat are some other ways to value rivers. We also value drinking water, irrigation and navigation, and, at another level, local economies, meaningful employment, flood management, and of course a river's ability to generate clean, renewable electrical power. In fact, hydropower's unique electrical attributes are especially valuable for maintaining the stability of the electric grid.

We can't ignore any of these benefits, and fortunately it is not an 'either-or' choice. Rather it is a question of degree. Dams and healthy rivers can, and do readily co-exist. Hydropower projects support fish and wildlife habitats, scenic areas and diverse species.

It is easy to be seduced by literature that describes undeveloped rivers as 'free', but policymakers must remain pragmatic in their approach to river management. Just as there is a need for free-flowing rivers, so too is there a need for working rivers.

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