Lexington MA (May 1, 2020):  The Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) has preliminarily approved the Ware River Project (LIHI #47) for a new 5-year term of Low Impact Certification. The Certificate includes the following conditions:

Condition 1 : The facility Owner shall, within 6 months of recertification, consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to determine if the instantaneous au fil de l'eau monitoring and maintenance plan recommended by the Service per Section 30(C) of the Federal Power Act, and required by the Fédération internationale de radio-télévision (FERC) August 2017 Order Amending Exemption, is still necessary.  The results of consultation shall be provided to LIHI in annual compliance submittals until the issue is closed. If the plan is not required, the Owner should file the agency concurrence with FERC within 3 months of that determination.  If the plan is still required, the Owner shall develop a draft plan for agency review and provide a copy of the final plan including any agency comments on the draft to LIHI within 60 days of plan completion.

Condition 2 : The three-year post turbine upgrade water quality monitoring is scheduled to be performed beginning in 2020.  The results of the monitoring studies along with any resource agency comments and any proposed mitigation that may be needed shall be provided to LIHI within 60 days of each annual study report’s issuance.   LIHI reserves the right to reassess or revoke certification based on the information provided.

Condition 3 :  Should drawdown events occur at the facility during the term of LIHI Certification for maintenance or emergency reasons, the facility Owner shall consult with MDFW and develop the required state-listed mussel species protection plan to protect state-listed mussels and their habitat.  The Owner shall file copies of the plan and all agency consultation to LIHI within 60 days of MDFW approving the plan.

Cette décision est préliminaire en attendant la période d'appel de 30 jours. Seuls ceux qui ont commenté la demande initiale pendant la période de commentaires de 60 jours sont éligibles pour déposer un appel. Un tel appel doit inclure une explication sur la raison pour laquelle le projet ne répond pas aux critères du LIHI. Les demandes d'appel peuvent être soumises par courrier électronique à commentaires@lowimpacthydro.org avec « Ware River Project » dans l'objet du message, ou par courrier adressé au Low Impact Hydropower Institute, 329 Massachusetts Ave, Suite 6, Lexington, MA 02420. Toutes les demandes seront publiées sur le site Web. Le demandeur aura la possibilité de répondre et toute réponse sera également publiée. Les demandes doivent être reçues avant 17 heures, heure de l'Est, le 31 mai 2020.. La demande complète et le rapport de l'examinateur sont disponibles ICI.

If no appeal requests are received and the decision becomes final, the Certification term for the Project will be August 24, 2019 through August 23, 2024.