June 22, 2020: The Low Impact Hydropower Institute has preliminarily approved Low Impact Certification for the Cataract Hydroelectric Project, pending LIHI #169 located on the Saco River in the towns of Saco and Biddeford, Maine.  The certification includes one condition:

Condition 1: The facility Owner shall provide documentation to LIHI that the West Channel diversion wall and the flume extension at the entrance to East Channel fishway are completed and operational no later than May 1, 2021; or if not completed by that time, the Owner shall provide a report on the status of the project including resource agency consultation and a timeline for completion of the project.
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 “Cataract Hydroelectric 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 July 22, 2020.  The full application and reviewers report are available here.

If no appeal requests are received and the decision becomes final, the Certification term for the Project will be from April 3, 2020 to April 2, 2025.