Overview:
The Connecticut River Conservancy has expressed both positive and negative views on FirstLight Hydro Generating Co.'s relicensing process through FERC, with the environmental advocacy nonprofit highlighting specific operating conditions outlined in FERC's Draft Environmental Impact Statement. While the CRC has concerns over river water levels, water flows, and erosion control measures, they have also welcomed the inclusion of a fish barrier net and a sturgeon management plan. The CRC has created a comment submission guide for those who are interested in submitting statements, with the comment period to FERC still open through August 28.
As FirstLight Hydro Generating Co.’s relicensing process through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) continues, the Connecticut River Conservancy detailed the specific operating conditions outlined in FERC’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement that the environmental advocacy nonprofit views as positive, while also highlighting areas of concern.
People met on Zoom last week to discuss the 13-year relicensing process for FirstLight’s Turners Falls dams and the Northfield hydro-pump facility. In May, FERC, which is in charge of licensing energy projects, released its Draft Environmental Impact Statement agreeing to offer a 50-year license to FirstLight with specific operating conditions.
According to FERC, an Environmental Impact Statement details conditions for energy operations to reduce environmental impacts. A Draft Environmental Impact Statement opens up a public comment period for reviewing the documents and sharing feedback before a final Environmental Impact Statement is completed.
Nina Gordon-Kirsch, Massachusetts river steward with the Connecticut River Conservancy, led Wednesday’s presentation, noting how this relicensing period is considered an “anomaly,” as most relicensing is a four-year process or less. Outside factors like the COVID-19 pandemic and the nature of the relicensing system have contributed to the longer process, as has continued public participation in the relicensing.
“The CRC, plus the general public, have been advocating for a lot of different issues in the river, like recreation, like higher flows for fish migration, erosion issues,” she said.
Advocacy for the river has come in different forms. This year, the Connecticut River Conservancy and American Rivers joined others in the Pioneer Valley in appealing the state Department of Environmental Protection’s April 22 issuance of a 401 Water Quality Certification. Acquiring the certification is a necessary step in FERC’s relicensing process.
Then in June, an in-person comment session was held by FERC at Greenfield Community College, where guests registered to share comments with FERC representatives and two court reporters in a private room, with no public or press access allowed for testimony.
In her presentation, Gordon-Kirsch pointed out the Connecticut River Conservancy’s existing concerns on the draft statement and what positive requirements the draft includes. While not comprehensive, she said, the positives include a fish barrier net at Northfield Mountain to be installed in four years, not seven, and a sturgeon management plan for the river below the Turners Falls dam.
Issues pointed out by the Connecticut River Conservancy include the allowance for river water levels to be below the normal operating range for three weeks a year, water flows not meeting a requested 1,400 cubic feet per second minimum between July 1 and Nov. 1 for ecological protection, and insufficient erosion control measures.
When asked by attendee Peggy Kocoras about the duration of the license itself, Gordon-Kirsh said the Connecticut River Conservancy would prefer a 30-year license.
“Thirty is outrageous with the climate changing so fast,” Kocoras commented. “I wish it could be cut more.”
When asked if the state Water Quality Certification appeals would delay the final issuance of an operating license from FERC, which is expected to come early next year, Gordon-Kirsch said that because the conservancy, alongside other groups and private citizens, has entered litigation over the state certificate, the federal license can’t be issued if there’s is not yet a finalized state water quality certification.
Gordon-Kirsch noted the comment period to FERC is still open through Aug. 28. The Connecticut River Conservancy has created a comment submission guide for those who are interested in submitting statements. To learn more, visit ctriver.org/post/hydropower-environmental-impact-statements.
“We are the eyes for them to know what’s going on here,” Gordon-Kirsch said. “It’s so important for us to give them that perspective because otherwise, they’re doing their best to try to understand the issues at hand, but it’s not part of their daily life.”