What is the LCR Multi-Species Fee?

Beginning in July of 2005, a new line item appeared on our customer’s bills for electric service.  This line item shows up as the LCR Multi-Species Fee.  This fee is used to collect funds for the Lincoln County Power District No. 1’s share of the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Project (LCRMSCP) as administered by the U.S Bureau of Reclamation.

Currently there are 37 species of plants, mammals, birds and fish in the lower Colorado River basin that are either threatened or actually in danger of becoming extinct.  To protect and perhaps recover these species, beginning in July of 2005, all beneficiaries of water and power from the lower Colorado River (south of Glenn Canyon Dam) are charged a LCRMSCP fee.   The purpose of this fee is to allow the federal government, in conjunction with the local states, to implement an extensive conservation program.  Under the program over 8,000 acres of habitat are planned for restoration.  This includes development of marshes, backwater basins, mesquite forests, and cottonwood groves.  The funds are also used to run a fisheries program for the Razorback Sucker, Bonytail, Humpback Chub and the Flannelmouth Sucker; and other conservation programs designed to preserve and restore habitat.

Because we purchase the majority of electric power used in our service area from Hoover Dam, located on the Colorado River, we are obligated to pay our proportionate share of the LCRMSCP.  The budget for the LCRMSCP is established by the federal government on an annual basis.  After the budget is established each year, we receive a monthly bill from the Colorado River Commission of Nevada for our share of the LCRMSCP. To fund our share of the LCRMSCP, we charge the LCR Multi-Species Fee to all end-use customers in our service area who receive the benefits of Hoover Dam hydroelectric power.

The LCR Multi-Species Fee on our bill changes annually.  For 2008, the LCR Multi-Species Fee is $1.10 per meter, per month for our retail customers.  This amounts to $13.20 per year for each customer in Lincoln County.  For our sales for resale customers, the LCR Multi-Species Fee is fee based on the number of retail customers they serve, multiplied by $1.10.   If you have questions regarding the LCRMSCP fee, please call us and ask for a copy of fee schedule LCRMSCP.  This schedule provides additional details on how the fee is calculated and assessed.