Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Issues Compliance Directives for Historic Preservation on Sturgis Dam Hydroelectric Project

Strategic Insights -

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued compliance directives to the City of Sturgis, Michigan, for the Sturgis Dam Hydroelectric Project, Project No. 2964-000. The directives were issued in response to the City's April 25, 2025, filing proposing to demolish three former operator houses on Sturgis Dam Road, historic structures at the project site. FERC staff have concerns that the demolition may have adverse effects on historic properties and are requesting additional information from the City to establish whether maintenance activities performed during 2007-2024 met the requirements of the Historic Properties Management Plan (HPMP).

Key Takeaways:

  • FERC has issued compliance directives to the City of Sturgis, Michigan, for the Sturgis Dam Hydroelectric Project, Project No. 2964-000, in response to the City's proposal to demolish three former operator houses on Sturgis Dam Road.
  • The City is required to operate and maintain National Register eligible or listed properties according to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and applicable National Park Service Preservation Briefs.
  • The City must avoid damaging or demolishing any historic properties within the project area and recommends the three former operator houses identified in this undertaking to continue being rented for residential use.
  • The HPMP requires the City to consult with the Michigan SHPO Documentation Guidelines and develop an adverse effect mitigation program in the event of adverse effects to historic properties.
  • Commission staff have reviewed the HPMP annual reports filed with the Commission from 2007 to 2024, indicating that the City considered demolishing one of the operator houses in 2012 but ultimately did not, and made substantial repairs to the house in 2017.
  • The City is requested to provide a detailed description of the maintenance that occurred at the three houses during 2007-2024, including any significant condition issues, necessary repairs, safety concerns, or incidents of vandalism.
  • The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing and has provided instructions on how to submit the requested information using the Commission's eFiling system.

Statistics:

  • The Sturgis Dam Hydroelectric Project, Project No. 2964-000, is located on Sturgis Dam Road in Sturgis, Michigan.
  • The project involves the demolishion of three former operator houses on Sturgis Dam Road, which are historic structures at the project site.
  • The City of Sturgis, Michigan, filed the proposal to demolish the three former operator houses on April 25, 2025.
  • The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued compliance directives to the City of Sturgis, Michigan, on May 30, 2025.
  • The City is required to file a detailed description of the maintenance that occurred at the three houses during 2007-2024 within 60 days of the issuance of this notice.

Sources:

  • City of Sturgis, Michigan, 105 FERC P 62,132 (2003).
  • Project No. 2964-000 - Michigan Sturgis Dam Hydroelectric Project.