Living with Water, Sustainability, and Resilience in Lawrence, MA
July 17, 2023Preliminary Decision – Recertification of the Bear River Project, LIHI #53, ID
August 24, 2023August 17, 2023: Four LIHI Certified projects located on the Chicopee River in Massachusetts received a consolidated amendment to their FERC exemptions on March 13, 2023. The projects are Red Bridge (LIHI #96), Putts Bridge (LIHI #102), Indian Orchard (LIHI #112), and Dwight (LIHI #170). The amendment authorized changes in each project’s operations from peaking to run-of-river along with changes in bypass reach minimum flows at some projects. In accordance with Section 5.3.4 of the 2nd Edition LIHI Handbook, Revision 2.05, issuance of a FERC exemption amendment that affects the LIHI criteria constitutes a “material change” and triggers a mid-term LIHI Certification review. New Certificate terms can be granted if the projects continue to satisfy the LIHI criterion, even if the current certification terms have not yet expired.
The applicant, Central Rivers Power, MA, LLC (a subsidiary of LS Power/ Patriot Hydro, LLC), has submitted a summary of the operational changes related to the FERC exemption amendment. Documents are available in the Certification Files Section of each project webpage:
A 60-day public comment period is being opened to allow stakeholders to comment on the submittal. All comments received will be incorporated into the mid-term review report, posted on the LIHI website, and incorporated into the preliminary decision to recertify the projects. Comments can be submitted to comments@lowimpacthydro.org with “Chicopee River Projects” in the subject line. Comments must be received by 5 pm Eastern time on October 16, 2023.
Preliminary Decision – Certification of the Wells Dam Project, pending LIHI #203, WA
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