LIHI Certificate #58 - Union Gas Project, Maine

Union Gas Project, LIHI #58
项目名称 Union Gas
LIHI 证书编号 58
LIHI 证书期限 2020年5月9日-2033年5月8日
所有者 Messalonskee Stream Hydro Associates，Essex Hydro Associates, LLC 的子公司
状态 缅因州
地点 Located at river mile 1.0 on the Messalonskee Stream, a tributary of the Kennebec River, in Kennebec County, Maine.
装机容量 1.5 兆瓦
平均年发电量 4,300 MWh
设施类型 修改的 径流
联邦能源管理委员会 不。 P-2556 于 1999 年签发，有效期至 2036 年 6 月 30 日

The Union Gas Project is located on Messalonskee Stream in Waterville, Maine. The project is one of four hydropower facilities between Messalonskee Lake 坝 and the Kennebec River. Three of the facilities, Union Gas, 米饭裂片 (LIHI #59)， 和 Oakland (LIHI #60) 根据 FERC 项目编号 2556 共同获得许可。 自动项目（LIHI #72） is located upstream of Union Gas which is situated 1 mile upstream of the confluence of Messalonskee Stream with the Kennebec River. The original dam was constructed in the early 1900’s, it failed in 2001 and was rebuilt in 2007. Project works consist of a 343-foot-long dam with 1.5-foot-high 闪光板；一个 发电站 containing one 1.5-MW vertical 弗朗西斯式水轮机/generator; and a 1.5-mile-long impoundment with a gross storage capacity of 600 acre-feet. The dam creates a bypassed reach approximately 1 mile long.

该项目的运行模式取决于梅萨隆斯基湖的入水量。当梅萨隆斯基湖的入水量超过约570立方英尺/秒时，该项目将以径流式运行。所有未流经涡轮机的水都将流经 泄洪道. When inflow is less than approximately 570 cfs, the project is cycled based on stored water that is released from Messalonskee Lake with a 1.3-foot useable storage range. The project provides a minimum bypass flow of 15 cfs. This flow regime is based on recommendation from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP) to assist in improving water quality in the river and protecting aquatic biota.

项目范围水域被划为 C 类，适合渔业、初级和 二次接触娱乐, aquatic habitat, and drinking water supply after treatment. The minimum flow regime minimizes the effect of phosphorus loading to protect aquatic biota habitat. The phosphorus loading and subsequent issues with low dissolved oxygen concentrations are likely caused by effluent from the upstream Union Gas Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Historically, there is little evidence detailing the presence of anadromous species in Messalonskee Stream although American shad may use habitat downstream of the project to the river’s confluence with the Kennebec River. Additionally, there is limited rearing and spawning habitat upstream of the Messalonskee Stream projects. American eel, a 洄游性 species, is the only migratory species present in the project area. In 2010, the Messalonskee Stream projects began installation of upstream and downstream passage for American eel. These facilities were completed in 2018 and approved for permanent passage in 2019 by Maine Department of Marine Resources (MDMR).

PLUS-标准型： 项目业主自愿在9月1日至10月30日期间，在梅萨隆斯基溪（Messalonskee Stream）的所有四个项目实施夜间关闭措施，以方便美洲鳗下游通行。关闭时间为晚上6点至凌晨2点。MDMR目前正在与项目业主合作，调整关闭时间，以更好地保护这些洄游物种。此举构成一项 全流域 重建战略在梅萨隆斯基河和肯纳贝克河流域内实施，其中恢复 洄游性 渔业始于爱德华兹的移除 坝 在 头1999年，肯纳贝克河的潮汐变化使鱼类得以进入梅萨隆斯基河汇流处上游约17英里的沃特维尔河段。缅因州农业部发布了肯纳贝克河管理计划 海洄游动物 2020年资源修正案更新了1993年的规划。该修正案首次将美洲鳗纳入其中，并明确目标是“为美洲鳗在其历史上可通行的栖息地提供安全、及时、有效的上下游通道”。

The project lands consist of 19 acres. The project area is highly developed and bordered by a steep gradient with commercial buildings and residential homes. The shoreline in the project tailrace area is predominantly granite and gravel substrate which project operations have minimal impact on.

Threatened or endangered species potentially present in the project vicinity include Northern long-eared bat, Atlantic salmon, and black tern. The project area does not provide any suitable habitat for the bat species. Waterfowl surveys of the project area concluded that project operations do not impact habitat or nesting practices for the black tern. The species has been observed nesting in the Messalonskee Lake impoundment. According to USFWS, providing passage for Atlantic salmon in the Messalonskee watershed is not desirable.

Several pre-contact period archaeological resources have been identified in the vicinity of the Messalonskee Stream projects, associated with Messalonskee Lake. The project owner maintains a Cultural Resources Management Plan and periodically assesses any impacts on these resources with the assistance of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission. The Commission concluded that project operations are not adversely impacting the resources in the area.

Recreational resources at the project include a boat ramp on the Kennebec River, fishing in the tailrace with informal access on the east side of the river, and an ADA accessible fishing platform in Messalonskee Lake. Public access is provided free of charge.

合规状态

当前证书中没有针对设施的特定条件。

2025: No material changes or compliance issues were identified. The project remains in compliance based on the annual review.  Nightly shutdowns during eel migration season continue.

2024: No material changes or compliance issues were identified. The project remains in compliance based on the annual review.  Nightly shutdowns during eel migration season continue.

2023: No material changes or compliance issues were identified. The project remains in compliance based on the annual review.  Nightly shutdowns during eel migration season continue.

2022: No material changes or compliance issues were identified. The project remains in compliance based on the annual review.  The project reported on the 2021 downstream American eel passage study which resulted in 14 eels observed.  Nightly shutdowns during eel migration season continue.

2021: 现行证书的年度报告尚未生效。不过，该项目报告称，从9月1日至10月30日，夜间关闭水域将继续进行，以方便美洲鳗下游通行。

认证历史

2022 年 1 月 1 日： LIHI 证书期限已根据 2022 年 1 月 1 日发布的 LIHI 第 2 版认证手册 2.05 版延长。有关新期限，请参阅上面的设施表。

2021 年 8 月 27 日： The Low Impact Hydropower Institute has issued a final decision on the recertification of the Union Gas Project. The 30-day appeal window closed on August 26, 2021 and no appeals were filed. Therefore, the decision to recertify the project is now final. The new term is May 9, 2020 through May 8, 2028.

2021年7月27日： The Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) has preliminarily approved the Union Gas Project for a new 8-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 comments@lowimpacthydro.org with “Union Gas Project” in the subject line, or by mail addressed to the Low Impact Hydropower Institute, 1167 Massachusetts Ave, Office 407, Arlington, MA 02476. All requests will be posted to the website. The applicant will have an opportunity to respond and any response will also be posted. 请求必须在 2021 年 8 月 26 日美国东部时间下午 5 点之前收到。 完整的申请和审核报告如下。如果没有收到申诉请求，且决定成为最终决定，则该项目的认证期限为2020年5月9日至2028年5月8日。

2021年5月3日： The Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) has received a complete recertification application from Messalonskee Stream Hydro Associates for the Union Gas Project. LIHI is seeking comment on the application. Comments that are directly tied to specific LIHI criteria (flows, water quality, 鱼道等）将非常有帮助，但所有评论都会被考虑。评论可以通过电子邮件提交给 LIHI，地址为 comments@lowimpacthydro.org with “Union Gas Comments” in the subject line, or by mail addressed to the Low Impact Hydropower Institute, 1167 Massachusetts Avenue, Office 407, Arlington, MA 02476. 意见必须在 2021 年 7 月 2 日美国东部时间下午 5 点或之前送达研究所，才会被考虑。 所有评论都将发布在网站上，申请人将有机会做出回应。所有回复也将公布。申请表可在下方找到。

2016年5月2日： LIHI Executive Director Michael J. Sale, using authority delegated from the LIHI Governing Board, has certified that the Union Gas Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. P-2556) satisfies the LIHI Certification Criteria. A Preliminary Decision was announced on April 1, 2016, and a 30-day appeal period was open through May 1, 2016. No requests for appeal were received. This Certification Decision includes one facility-specific condition, as follows:

  • 2020年满意 条件 1：On the Owner’s Annual Compliance Statements, the Owner will update LIHI the status of downstream eel passage at the site. The Owner will notify LIHI within 45 days of when DMR determines there is a sufficient number of eel to present in the river to conduct the studies needed to determine the best location to install downstream passage. A summary of those study results, along with a DMR approved plan and schedule for downstream eel passage installation, shall be included in that year’s Annual Compliance Statement.

The effective certification date for the Union Gas Project is May 9, 2015 for a five (5) year term, which will expire on May 9, 2020.

2015年12月4日： LIHI has received a comment letter from the Maine Department of Marine Resources in support of the recertification of the Union Gas project. The comment may be found in the Files section below.

2015年11月24日： The Low Impact Hydropower Institute has received a complete application for a new term of Low Impact Certification for the Union Gas Hydroelectric project.  The application materials can be found in the Files section below. The public comment period for this application closed on January 23, 2015.

2015年6月19日： The Union Gas Project has been granted an extension of the current certificate term. The new expiration date is December 31, 2015.

2010年10月22日： The Union Gas Project has been certified as low impact for a five year term, effective May 9, 2010 and expiring May 9, 2015.

2010年7月9日： 认证申请的公众意见征询期已经结束。

2010年5月9日： Messalonskee Stream Hydro Associates has submitted an application for certification of the Union Gas Hydroelectric Project. A public comment period will remain open for 60 days.

认证文件

2021 年重新认证

2015 年重新认证

2010年认证

重要文件