January 21, 2021: The Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) preliminarily approved Low Impact Certification (pending LIHI #178) for the Freedom Falls Hydroelectric Project located on Sandy Stream in Maine.  The Certificate includes the following condition:

Condition 1: The facility Owner shall notify LIHI within 60 days of completion of the upstream eel passage expected to be installed by May 1, 2021.  The notification shall include copies of any approvals received from DOI and/or Maine DMR of the final design and installation.

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 “Freedom Falls 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 February 19, 2021.

The full application and review report are available HERE. If no appeal requests are received the certification term will be November 3, 2020 through November 2, 2030.