LIHI Certificate #68 - Woronoco Project, Massachusetts

Woronoco Project, LIHI #68
項目名稱 Woronoco
理海證書編號 68
LIHI 證書期限 January 28, 2020 – January 27, 2030
擁有者 Woronoco Hydro, LLC, a subsidiary of Eagle Creek Renewable Energy, LLC
狀態 麻薩諸塞州
地點 Located at river mile 18.5 on the Westfield River in Russell, Massachusetts.
裝置容量 2.68 MW
平均年發電量 6,270 MWh
設施類型 徑流
聯邦能源監管委員會 不。 P-2631 issued in 2002, expires 03/31/2042

The Woronoco Project is located on the Westfield River in the town of Russel, Hampden County, in southwestern Massachusetts. The Westfield River is approximately 78.1 miles long, from its 源頭 in the Berkshires (i.e., the Green Mountains) in northwestern Massachusetts, to its confluence with the Connecticut River. One 壩 lies downstream of the project and three upstream including the Knightville 壩, a flood control structure owned by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Crescent Dam (Texon Project, LIHI #119) and Indian River Dam. The West Springfield Dam (LIHI #19) is the only dam downstream of the project.

The original dam built was a timber-crib structure constructed in 1879. The existing hydro station was completed in 1913 to supply power to two paper mills, located along the banks of the Westfield River. The original 木製嬰兒床 dam was later replaced by the project’s two existing dams which were constructed in 1938 (North Dam) and 1950 (South Dam).

The project’s principal features consist of two non-contiguous 25-foot-tall concrete-重力壩 sections (North Dam, 307 feet long; and South Dam, 315 feet long) and a 655-foot-long earthen dike. An intake leads to a 發電站, which contains three 混流式水輪機/generator units with a combined capacity of 2.7 MW. The project has a downstream 魚道 facility (with its discharge at the base of the south dam) and an upstream American eel passage facility. The bypassed reach has three channels, varying in length from 200 to 1,000 feet. There are no 閃光板, 溢洪道, or crest control 蓋茲 at the Project.

該項目運營於 徑流 mode and impounds a 43-acre reservoir. Run-of-river operations are maintained via use of two electronic pressure transducers and a 可程式邏輯控制器. The project provides a minimum flow 57 cfs into the separate channels of the bypass reach to ensure protection of water quality, fisheries, and aquatic resources in the.

The 57-cfs flow is separated by channel – 22 cfs into the north channel, 15 cfs into the middle channel, and 20 cfs from the southern end of the South dam. The flow regime was developed with recommendations from Massachusetts Division of Fish and Wildlife (MDFW) and US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

Waters within the project reach are designated as Class B Warmwater Fishery and Recreation waters. Run-of-river operations and flow requirements were designed to protect and enhance these use designations. A water quality study conducted near the project showed that water quality standards were met for temperature, but low for alkalinity. The project was noted as not the cause of that impairment which is naturally occurring.

Historically, Atlantic salmon were present in the Westfield River and restoration efforts were undertaken until the restoration program ended. The project owner previously supported the program financially. The project provides passage for the 洄游性 American eel via two eel ladders at the two dams. Downstream passage is provided for American eel and riverine species. Downstream fish protection on the trashracks includes ¾-inch clear spaced panels installed during fish passage season and removed in the winter. The underlying trashracks have clear spacing of 1 ¼ inch.

The project lands consist of 12 acres. The shoreland immediately surrounding the project is primarily mixed hardwoods and softwoods. Emergent, scrub-shrub, and forest 濕地 are also found along the impoundment. Use of the project area is limited to a public road, bridge, and railroad track. A park and recreation area are nearby, used for fishing, boating, and swimming.

Threatened or endangered species potentially present in the project vicinity include the Northern long-eared bat, Eastern whip-poor-will, and creeper mussel. It is unlikely that the Northern long-eared bat would be impacted, if present, as there are no routine tree-clearing activities or corridor maintenance activities planned, nor are there any projects currently planned which would involve tree clearing. In order to minimize impact to the mussel species, the project owner must coordinate any drawdowns, or activities with potential to disturb the species, with resource agencies.

The first dam at the project site was a timber-crib structure constructed in 1879. The existing hydropower station was completed in 1913 to supply two paper mills. The two existing dams were constructed in 1938 and 1950 to replace the former structures. The powerhouse and the Strathmore Mill complex are eligible for inclusion in the 國家歷史遺跡名錄. The Massachusetts State Historic Preservation Office has concluded that project operations will have no adverse effect on these resources.

Recreational resources at the project include a carry-in boat launch, canoe take-out in the impoundment, a canoe portage around the dam, fishing access, and trail access to the project. Strathmore Park is located downstream and has access for fishing, boating, and swimming. Public access is provided free of charge.

合規狀態

此證書包括以下設施特定條件：

Partially Satisfied in 2020, only annual reporting remains. 條件一： Assuming USFWS approval of permanent removal of the North Eel Dam eel passage ladder is received, the facility Owner shall also notify MDEP of this change as the WQC includes the requirement for eel passage. In the Annual Compliance Report to LIHI, the Owner shall confirm that the annual eel passage data has been provided to MDFW, and USFWS if that agency requests it, along with copies of any FERC or MDEP responses to notification regarding removal of the Northern Dam eel passage ladder.

Partially satisfied in 2020. 條件2： The facility Owner shall make the following improvements to the Project recreational facilities:

Partially satisfied in 2020, only annual reporting remains. Conduct seasonal facility cleanup and necessary structural repairs and install improved signage to all facilities by June 30, 2020 to promote 2020 seasonal use. Signage should satisfy FERC requirements. Access and parking information must be clearly posted. description of this program shall be provided to LIHI by June 30, 2020 and a status summary of these activities shall be reported to LIHI in annual compliance submittals.

Partially satisfied in 2020, only annual reporting remains. A regular inspection and maintenance program shall be established to ensure these facilities are maintained especially given the concern of vandalism. At a minimum, a monthly frequency is recommended. A description of this program shall be provided to LIHI by June 30, 2020 and a status summary of these activities shall be reported to LIHI in annual compliance submittals.

Partially satisfied in 2020, pending completion of work. The ADA fishing platform shall be inspected for safety and usability prior to June 30, 2020. If determined not to be suitable for ADA fishing access, needed improvements or relocation if necessary, shall be made as soon as practicable in accordance with applicable permitting requirements and any necessary agency consultation.   The Owner shall inform LIHI of a plan to ensure platform usability by July 31, 2020 along with a schedule for additional planned work.  The Owner shall notify LIHI of project status and final completion in annual compliance submittals.

2024: No material changes or compliance issues were identified. The project remains in compliance based on the annual review. For Condition 1, the project reported on eel passage. For Condition 2a and 2b, the project provided the annual updates.  For Condition 2c, the project reported that the original dock location is unworkable and an alternative site about 100 feet away requires a new state permit application expected to be filed in early 2025 with installation of the dock in 2025.

2023: No material changes or compliance issues were identified. The project remains in compliance based on the annual review. For Condition 1, the project reported that high flows precluded installation of the 鰻梯 due to safety concerns. For Condition 2a and 2b, the project provided the annual updates.  For Condition 2c, the project provided a status update on permitting of the fishing platform, noting that a new permit is required due to design changes, but the new platform is expected to be installed in 2024.

2022: No material changes or compliance issues were identified. The project remains in compliance based on the annual review. For Condition 1, the project confirmed data submittal. For Condition 2a and 2b, the project provided the annual updates.  For Condition 2c, the project provided a status update on permitting of the fishing platform, with expected installation in the spring of 2023.

2021: There were no reported changes or compliance issues. The project remains in compliance based on the annual review. For Condition 1, the project confirmed data submittal. For Condition 2a and 2b, the project provided the annual updates.  For Condition 2c, the project provided a status update on permitting of the fishing platform.

2020: There were no reported changes or compliance issues. The project remains in compliance based on the annual review.  For Condition 1, the project reported agency concurrence to discontinue North Dam eel passage and submittal of data, thus partially satisfying the condition. For Condition 2a and 2b, the project confirmed recreation area inspection and cleanup, and reported on the status of the fishing platform, thus partially satisfying the condition.

認證歷史

2022 年 1 月 1 日： 根據 2022 年 1 月 1 日發布的 LIHI 第二版認證手冊第 2.05 版，LIHI 證書期限已延長。

July 10, 2020:  2020 年 7 月 3 日上訴期結束後，重新認證沃羅諾科計畫的決定成為最終決定，沒有任何上訴提出。認證期限為2020年1月28日至2025年1月27日。

June 3, 2020:  On May 29, 2020 the Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) preliminarily approved the Woronoco Project for a new 5-year term of Low Impact Certification. 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 評論@lowimpactHydro.org with “Woronoco 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 3, 2020. The full application and reviewer’s report are available below. If no appeal requests are received and the decision becomes final, the Certification term for the Project will be January 28, 2020 through January 27, 2025.

February 24, 2020: The Low Impact Hydropower Institute has received a complete application for Low Impact Recertification of the Woronoco Hydroelectric Project.  LIHI is seeking public comment on this application.  Specifically, we are interested in knowing whether you think the Project meets the LIHI Low Impact Certification Criteria, as revised in the 2nd Edition Handbook.  Please review the program and criteria in LIHI’s revised 手冊 然後查看下面該項目的申請資料。

與特定 LIHI 標準（流量、水質、魚類通道等）直接相關的評論將最有幫助，但所有評論都會被考慮。意見可以透過電子郵件提交給研究所 評論@lowimpactHydro.org with “Woronoco Project Comments” in the subject line, or by mail addressed to the Low Impact Hydropower Institute, 329 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 6, Lexington, MA 02420.  Comments must be received on or before 5 pm Eastern time on April 24, 2020 予以考慮。所有評論都將發佈到網站上，申請人將有機會回應。任何回應也將被發布。

November 8, 2015: LIHI Executive Director Michael J. Sale, using authority delegated from the LIHI Governing Board, has certified that the Woronoco Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. P-2631) continues to satisfy the LIHI Certification Criteria. A Preliminary Decision was announced on November 8, 2015, and a 30-day appeal period was open through December 8, 2015. No requests for appeal were received.

The effective certification date for the Woronoco Project is January 28, 2015 for a five (5) year term, which will expire on January 28, 2020.

July 10, 2015: The Woronoco Hydroelectric project has been granted an extension of the current certificate term. The new expiration date is December 31, 2015. See ExtensionLetter_20150708 for explanation below.

June 23, 2015: The Low Impact Hydropower Institute received a comment letter from Caleb Slater, of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, in support of the recertification of the Woronoco project. The letter can be read in the Files section below.

June 1, 2015: The Low Impact Hydropower Institute received a complete application for a new term of Low Impact Certification for the Woronoco Hydroelectric project on June 1, 2015.  The application materials can be found in the Files section below.

April 10, 2015: The Woronoco Hydroelectric Project has been granted a six month extension of the current certification term.  The new expiration date is July 27, 2015.  See April 2015 Letter Extending Term and Explaining Recertification below.

January 28, 2011: The Woronoco Hydroelectric Project has been certified as low impact for a five year term, effective January 28, 2010 and expiring January 28, 2015.

March 28, 2010: 此認證申請的公眾意見徵詢期已經結束。

January 28, 2010: Woronoco Hydro, LLC has submitted an application for certification of the Woronoco Hydroelectric Project. The public comment period will remain open for 60 days.

認證文件

2020 年重新認證

2015 年重新認證

2010年認證

關鍵文件