LIHI Certificate #184 – Narrows Road Pressure Reduction Valve Station Project, MA

LIHI Certificate #184 - Narrows Road Pressure Reduction Valve Station Project, Massachusetts

Narrows Road Pressure Reduction Valve Facility, MA

Nom du projet	Narrows Road Pressure Reduction Valve Station Project
Numéro de certificat LIHI	184
Durée du certificat LIHI	June 25, 2021 – June 24, 2036
Propriétaire	City of Fitchburg, MA
État	Massachusetts
Emplacement	Located in the Nashua River Watershed in the town of Fitchburg, Massachusetts.
Capacité installée	0.010 MW
Génération annuelle moyenne	65.37 MWh
Type d'établissement	Conduit
Fédération internationale de radio-télévision (FERC) Non.	CD18-3, Qualified Conduit Exemption, 2018

The Narrows Road Pressure Reduction Valve Station is a conduit facility that is located in the City of Fitchburg and is situated between the Falulah Regional Water Treatment Facility and the City of Fitchburg water distribution system. At no point does this facility directly receive from surface waters and is considered a closed water system.

The water within the facility does not affect the water quality below, around, or above the facility. The water flows from the Falulah Water Treatment Facility, passes through the facility, and then continues to flow into the City of Fitchburg distribution system.

Historically, the Water Treatment Facility receives water from numerous reservoirs including the Falulah, Lovell, Ashby, and Bickford reservoirs. After consultation with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, there are no anticipated impacts on migratory fish species that pertain to the Narrows Road facility.

A large variety of fish can be found in the reservoirs listed above including: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, and yellow perch.

The site consists of a small brick instrumentation house, and the adjacent concrete pump vault station which houses the hydro turbine, located along Narrows Road, Westminster MA. Therefore, there are no impacts to shoreline or watersheds.

Based on correspondence with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, the Division determined that the project does not occur within Estimated Habitat of Rare Wildlife or Priority Habitat as indicated in the Massachusetts Natural Heritage Atlas. Upon review of the US Fish and Wildlife Service IPaC report for federally-listed species, all of Massachusetts is considered roosting territory for the Northern Long Eared Bat. However, there are no trees located around the pump station that could be considered roosting trees, and this project is situated inside the pump station vault.

This very small project site is located on land that is owned and operated by the City of Fitchburg. There are no known cultural or historic resources located on the property. No digging or land disturbance was performed during construction, and all work occurred within the pre-existing pump vault.

The facility is a secure and locked area, with no opportunities for public access. While the surrounding parcel may be used for recreational opportunities by neighbors, access to the facility is strictly controlled as it is a critical piece of infrastructure for the City of Fitchburg.

État de conformité

Il n'existe aucune condition spécifique à l'établissement dans le certificat actuel

2024: Aucun changement important ni problème de conformité n'ont été identifiés. Le projet reste conforme sur la base de l'examen annuel.

2023: Aucun changement important ni problème de conformité n'ont été identifiés. Le projet reste conforme sur la base de l'examen annuel.

2022: Aucun changement important ni problème de conformité n'ont été identifiés. Le projet reste conforme sur la base de l'examen annuel.

2021: Le rapport annuel pour le certificat actuel n’est pas encore entré en vigueur.

Historique des certifications

1er janvier 2022 : La durée du certificat LIHI a été prolongée conformément à la révision 2.05 du manuel de certification LIHI 2e édition publié le 1er janvier 2022. Reportez-vous au tableau des établissements ci-dessus pour connaître la nouvelle durée.

October 25, 2021: The Low Impact Hydropower Institute has issued a final decision on the certification of the Narrows Road Pressure Reduction Valve Station Project . The 30-day appeal window closed on October 2, 2021 and no appeals were filed. Therefore, the decision to certify the project is now final. The certificate term is June 25, 2021 through June 24, 2031.

September 2, 2021: The Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) has preliminarily approved the Narrows Road PRV Project for a 10-year term of Low Impact Certification. 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 commentaires@lowimpacthydro.org with “Narrows Road PRV Project” in the subject line, or by mail addressed to the Low Impact Hydropower Institute, 1167 Massachusetts Ave, Office 407, Arlington, MA 02476. 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 October 2, 2021. The full application and reviewer’s report are available below. If no appeal requests are received and the decision becomes final, the Certification term for the Project will be June 25, 2021 through June 24, 2031.

June 28, 2021:The Low Impact Hydropower Institute has received a complete application for Low Impact Certification of the Narrows Road Project. LIHI is seeking public comment on this application. Specifically, we are interested in knowing whether you think the Project meets the LIHI Low Impact Certification Criteria, as revised in the 2nd Edition Handbook. Please review the program and criteria in LIHI’s revised Manuel et examinez ensuite les documents de candidature du projet ci-dessous. Les commentaires directement liés à des critères LIHI spécifiques (débits, qualité de l'eau, passage des poissons, etc.) seront très utiles, mais tous les commentaires seront pris en compte. Les commentaires peuvent être soumis à l'Institut par courrier électronique à l'adresse commentaires@lowimpacthydro.org with “Narrows Road Project Comments” in the subject line, or by mail addressed to the Low Impact Hydropower Institute, 1167 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA 02476. Les commentaires doivent être reçus au plus tard à 17 heures, heure de l'Est, le August 27, 2021 à considérer. Tous les commentaires seront publiés sur le site Web et le candidat aura la possibilité d'y répondre. Toute réponse sera également publiée.