Lexington MA (July 31, 2020): The Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) has preliminarily approved the Stevens Mill Project (LIHI #123) for a new 5-year term of Low Impact Certification. The Certificate includes the following conditions:

Condition 1: The facility Owner shall report in its annual compliance submittals to LIHI, on any changes or amendments to the MOA, any changes in requirements under the MOA, or if modifications have been made to the Operations and Flow Monitoring Plan.  If any changes were made, the facility owner will provide a brief summary of those changes.

Condition 2: The facility Owner shall conduct forebay dredging in 2020 if site conditions allow, or as soon as conditions do allow.  The Owner shall continue to consult with resource agencies on downstream passage in accordance with the MOA and shall notify LIHI of any changes in downstream passage measures in annual compliance submittals.

This decision is preliminary pending the 30-day appeal window. Only those who commented on the initial application during the 60-day comment period are eligible to file an appeal. Such appeal needs to include an explanation as to how the Project does not meet the LIHI criteria. Appeal requests can be submitted by email to comments@lowimpacthydro.org with “Stevens Mill Project” in the subject line, or by mail addressed to the Low Impact Hydropower Institute, 329 Massachusetts Ave, Suite 6, Lexington, MA 02420. All requests will be posted to the website. The applicant will have an opportunity to respond and any response will also be posted. Requests must be received by 5 pm Eastern time on August 30, 2020. The full application and reviewer’s report are available HERE.

If no appeal requests are received and the decision becomes final, the Certification term for the Project will be March 5, 2020 through March 4, 2025.