Editing Snowy Mountains Scheme (section)

==Environmental concerns==

The original plan was for 99% of the water of the [[Snowy River]]'s natural flow to be diverted by the Scheme below [[Lake Jindabyne]]. Releases from the Scheme were based on the needs of [[wiktionary:riparian|riparian]] users only and took no account of the ecosystem's needs. It soon became clear that there were major environmental problems in the lower reaches of the Snowy river. An extensive public campaign led to the Snowy Water Inquiry being established in January 1998. The Inquiry reported to the [[New South Wales]] and [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]]n Governments in October of that year, recommending an increase to 15% of natural flows. The two governments were equivocal about this target. Aside from economic considerations, there was a view that the health of the Murray was more important than that of the Snowy and that any extra environmental flows were better used there instead.

In the [[1999 Victorian state election]], the seat of [[Electoral district of Gippsland East|Gippsland East]] was won by [[Craig Ingram]], an [[Independent (politician)|independent]] and member of the Snowy River Alliance, based in large part on his campaign to improve Snowy flows.<ref name=AG>{{cite web|first=Ian|last=Connellan|date=November 2010|title=Fighting for the Snowy River|work=[[Australian Geographic]]|url=http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/journal/fighting-for-the-snowy-river.htm|access-date=7 May 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521200408/http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/journal/fighting-for-the-snowy-river.htm|archive-date=21 May 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In 2000, Victoria and NSW agreed to a long-term target of 28%, requiring A$156 million of investment to offset losses to inland irrigators.<ref name=AG /> In August 2002 flows were increased to 6%, with a target of 21% within 10 years. However, by October 2008 it was evident that the return of environmental flows to the Snowy River in 2009 would be no more than 4% of natural flow with governments arguing the Snowy River needs to "pay back" the "Mowamba Borrowings".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/07/03/90705_opinion-news.html|title=Snowy River up the creek|first=Louise|last=Crisp|work=Weekly Times|date=3 July 2009|access-date=7 May 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421175658/http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/07/03/90705_opinion-news.html|archive-date=21 April 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> At the [[2010 Victorian state election|2010 state election]], Ingram lost the seat of Gippsland East to the [[National Party of Australia|Nationals]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/state-election-2010/nationals-end-a-lone-wolfs-11year-run-20101127-18bjc.html|title=Nationals end a lone wolf's 11-year run|last=Mangan|first=John|work=[[The Age]]|location=Melbourne|date=28 November 2010|access-date=7 May 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140430014302/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/state-election-2010/nationals-end-a-lone-wolfs-11year-run-20101127-18bjc.html|archive-date=30 April 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In 2017, it was announced that the 21% target would be reached for the first time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/national/snowy-river-deal-delivers-on-its-target-18-years-on/news-story/14cd66c654cbaf1e7a211a6498814a62 |title=Snowy River deal delivers on its target 18 years on &#124; the Weekly Times |access-date=15 February 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419165147/http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/national/snowy-river-deal-delivers-on-its-target-18-years-on/news-story/14cd66c654cbaf1e7a211a6498814a62 |archive-date=19 April 2017 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Some concerned water managers, conservationists, politicians and farmers continue to advocate for the return of environmental flows to the Snowy River. The Snowy River Alliance formed in 1996 to address the lack of environmental flow commemorates Snowy River Day annually, towards the end of August, to mark the 2002 anniversary of when the governments of Victoria, NSW and the Commonwealth first released water into the Snowy River over the Mowamba Weir.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.summitsun.com.au/story/223490/dalgety-celebrates-snowy-river-day/|title=Dalgety celebrates Snowy River Day|date=16 August 2012|work=Summit Sun|access-date=7 May 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325065830/http://www.summitsun.com.au/story/223490/dalgety-celebrates-snowy-river-day/|archive-date=25 March 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
The Dalgety District and Community Association started in response to dirty drinking water for the town of Dalgety, the loss of fishing and looming closure of the caravan park. A weir was constructed at Dalgety and the caravan park stayed as a result of their efforts.
In accordance with the Snowy Water Licence, Snowy Hydro Limited has 're-commissioned' the Mowamba Aqueduct. Seasonal variable flows are essential to river ecology including flushing flows to support vital ecosystems for the Australian platypus<ref>[http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=186 Snowy River National Park] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090523125734/http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=186 |date=23 May 2009 }}</ref> and native [[Australian Bass]], the species over which Ingram initially fought for flows into the Snowy River.{{citation needed|date=May 2013}} A major spillway upgrade now facilitates these flows.{{citation needed|date=May 2013}}