Falls River Hydroelectric Project Relicensing Process

Strategic Insights -

The Falls River Hydroelectric Project, owned and operated by Marysville Hydro Partners (MHP), has been undergoing the relicensing process with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) since 2024. The project, located on the Fall River near Ashton, Idaho, was originally licensed in 1989 and is set to expire in 2029. As part of the relicensing process, MHP has initiated consultations with stakeholders to prepare study plans for various aspects of the project, including water quality, fisheries, and recreational use.

Key Takeaways:

  • MHP submitted a Notice of Intent to File an Application for New License on April 30, 2024, and filed a Pre-Application Document (PAD) with FERC, indicating their intention to relicense the project using the Traditional Licensing Process (TLP).
  • MHP held joint agency meetings and site visits with stakeholders, including state and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and individuals, to discuss the project's design and operation and to initiate consultations on study plans.
  • Stakeholders submitted study requests related to water quality monitoring, fisheries, whitewater boating, and recreational use investigations, which MHP committed to preparing draft study plans for and submitted to stakeholders for review and comment.
  • Draft study plans were provided to stakeholders for review and comment, with Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) and Henry's Fork Foundation (HFF) submitting comments on the draft Water Quality Study Plan.
  • A revised draft Water Quality Study Plan was submitted to IDFG, HFF, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ), and Idaho Governor's Office of Energy and Mineral Resources (OEMR) on May 28, 2025, with only one comment received from IDEQ.
  • MHP plans to file a final Water Quality Study Plan in 2025 and 2026, integrating agreements made with stakeholders.
  • MHP received study requests related to water quality monitoring from IDEQ and HFF, which recommend addressing data gaps by collecting water temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) data in the Project reach.

Statistics:

  • The Falls River Hydroelectric Project is licensed by FERC as Project No. 9885.
  • The current license for the Project expires on April 30, 2029.
  • MHP filed a Notice of Intent to File an Application for New License on April 30, 2024.
  • Stakeholder consultations were held on December 5, 2024 (fisheries), December 10, 2024 (water quality), and January 10, 2025 (whitewater boating and recreation).
  • Draft study plans were provided to stakeholders for review and comment on February 18, 2024.
  • Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) provided comments on the draft Water Quality Study Plan on March 14, 2025.
  • Henry's Fork Foundation (HFF) provided comments on the draft Water Quality Study Plan on March 21, 2025.
  • A revised draft Water Quality Study Plan was submitted on May 28, 2025.

Sources:

  • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
  • Marysville Hydro Partners (MHP)
  • Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG)
  • Henry's Fork Foundation (HFF)
  • Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ)
  • Idaho Governor's Office of Energy and Mineral Resources (OEMR)