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United States. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Chittenden Falls Hydroelectric Project Requests Extension for Downstream Eel Passage Requirements

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Chittenden Falls Project, located on Kinderhook Creek in Stockport, NY, has requested an extension of time to comply with the downstream eel passage requirements pursuant to Article 401 of the new license issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on October 31, 2022. The Licensee, Chittenden Falls Hydropower Inc., needs additional time to finalize the design and installation of the trash rack overlays and downstream passage orifices.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Chittenden Falls Project is required to comply with the downstream eel passage requirements by Article 401 of the new license issued by FERC on October 31, 2022.
  • The Licensee, Chittenden Falls Hydropower Inc., has been working with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to design and implement the downstream eel passage structure.
  • The Licensee has sent multiple sets of design drawings to the resource agencies, including 30%, 60%, and 90% designs, with comments received from USFWS and NYSDEC.
  • The Licensee requests an extension of time to have the seasonal trash rack overlays installed over Units 1 and 2 and both downstream passage orifices operational by October 1, 2025, and for the trash rack overlays to be installed over Unit 3 until the 2026 passage season.
  • The Licensee proposes to not generate Units 1 and 2 from September 1, 2025, until the trash rack overlays are installed and the downstream passage orifices are operational, and to keep the intake gate shut at Unit 3 throughout the entirety of the downstream passage season.

Statistics:

  • 30% design drawings for the proposed American eel upstream and downstream passage were sent to resource agencies on June 28, 2023.
  • 60% design drawings for the proposed American eel upstream and downstream passage were sent to resource agencies on November 6, 2023.
  • 90% design drawings for the proposed American eel upstream and downstream passage were sent to resource agencies on January 31, 2024.
  • USFWS provided comments on the 30%, 60%, and 90% design drawings on August 30, 2023, December 1, 2023, and March 14, 2024, respectively.
  • NYSDEC provided comments on the 30%, 60%, and 90% design drawings on September 13, 2023, December 5, 2023, and April 1, 2024, respectively.
  • The Commission issued an Order approving the upstream and downstream American eel fishway designs on May 9, 2024.
  • Relevate Power completed the installation of the upstream eel ramp and its components on April 15, 2025.

Sources:

  • FERC Project No. 3273
  • USFWS
  • NYSDEC
  • Relevate Power
  • Chittenden Falls Hydropower, Inc.

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