Lexington MA (September 17, 2020): The Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) has preliminarily approved the Smoky Mountain Project for a new 8-year term of Low Impact Certification. The Project is located on the Cheoah and Little Tennessee Rivers in North Carolina and Tennessee. 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 “Smoky Mountain 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 October 17, 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 20, 2020 through March 19, 2028.