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Here is an interesting email from Steve Samuels that I wanted to share with you.

From: Steven Samuels
Date: 21 March 2017 at 14:15
Subject: Pumped Hydro = Pumped Redfin

Dear Supporters,

As you are aware the Federal Government is examining the prospect of implementing a “pumped hydro” project for the Snowy Scheme. As you will be aware the pumped concept is to pump water back to a holding reservoir once used so it can be used again. We should all welcome “green” solutions to our power issues, but there may well be some unintended consequences we need to be aware of.

While there is no definitive plan yet it seems that the most likely will be to pump water from Talbingo Dam to another dam such as Tantangara or Eucumbene. Most of you will be aware that Talbingo Dam has redfin perch in it. Redfin perch have been responsible for the decline of many trout lakes across NSW and are carriers of Epizootic Haematopoietic Necrosis Virus (EHNV) which has a significant impact on rainbow trout and Macquarie perch.

The Monaro Acclimatisation Society is concerned that if water is pumped from Khancoban or Talbingo to any other dam there is the possibility that redfin will get a free ride into that lake. The problem is compounded if the destination dam is either Tantangara or Eucumbene because Tantangara feeds directly into Eucumbene via the Providence Portal and from there Eucumbene can service every other dam in the system. A redfin explosion across the whole of the Snowy Scheme is a distinct possibility if not managed appropriately.

The MAS is currently making contact with politicians and Snowy Hydro representatives to make our concern known. I doubt that anglers alone can stop this project from going ahead as there is a lot a stake politically. However, with a budget of between $2 and $4 billion the MAS believes that it is not unreasonable to ask that the world’s best filter technology be installed to prevent redfin or their eggs being circulated around the system.

As this issue progresses the MAS will keep you informed, but you may like to take this opportunity to discuss the matter with fellow anglers and businesses that rely on trout fishing. The only outcome of redfin infection in our trout dams will be the demise of the trout and this will have a serious impact on our recreation and the businesses that rely on it.

Steve Samuels
President
Monaro Acclimatisation Society Inc
21 March 2017

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