Lexington MA (August 20, 2020): The Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) has preliminarily approved the Arkansas River Dam No. 2 Project (LIHI #51) for a new 5-year term of Low Impact Certification. There is one condition on the Certificate.

Condition 1: The facility Owner shall provide a status update on any agency studies pertaining to upstream or downstream fish passage issues as part of its annual filing to LIHI. Status updates shall contain copies of any pertinent correspondence and documents or a statement that no changes have occurred during the past year. The Owner shall continue to cooperate fully with state and federal agency studies and notify LIHI within 60 days if any of those studies lead to new fish passage requirements at the facility. LIHI reserves the right to modify the certification in response to new agency recommendations.

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 “Arkansas Dam 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 September 19, 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 January 19,2020 through January 18, 2025.