Lexington MA (June 18, 2020):  The Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) has preliminarily approved the Farmers Irrigation District Project (LIHI #45) for a new 5-year term of Low Impact Certification. The Certificate includes the following condition:

Condition 1: The facility Owner shall continue to operate the Project in accordance with the 2019 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with ODFW and ODEQ and provide status updates to LIHI in annual compliance statements.  Updates should specify if operations are modified as a result of the adaptive management program, or if the MOA is revised during the LIHI term.

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 “Farmers Irrigation District 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 18, 2020. The full application and reviewer’s report are available HERE.

If no appeal requests are received and the decision becomes final, the Certification term for the Project will be March 25, 2019 through March 24, 2029.