Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Requests Concurrence on Endangered Species Act Determination for Vermont Hydroelectric Project

Strategic Insights -

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued a correspondence to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's New England Ecological Services Field Office, requesting concurrence on an endangered species assessment for the proposed Vermont Smith's Falls Hydroelectric Project. The project, located on the Little River in Lamoille County, Vermont, has the potential to affect the federally listed endangered northern long-eared bat (NLEB). FERC's environmental assessment (EA) recommends measures to avoid harming the species, including avoiding the removal of non-hazardous trees between April 1 and November 1. The Commission is seeking concurrence from FWS on its assessment by September 8, 2025.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Vermont Smith's Falls Hydroelectric Project, proposed by the Town of Stowe Electric Department, has the potential to affect the federally listed endangered northern long-eared bat (NLEB).
  • FERC's environmental assessment (EA) recommends measures to avoid harming the NLEB, including avoiding the removal of non-hazardous trees between April 1 and November 1.
  • FERC is seeking concurrence from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's New England Ecological Services Field Office on its assessment by September 8, 2025.
  • The project, located on the Little River in Lamoille County, Vermont, has a generation capacity of 150 kilowatts.
  • The proposed project would be exempt from licensing if approved.
  • FERC's preferred alternative, staff alternative, includes a description of the federally listed species potentially affected by the project on page 38 (section 3.3.4) and E-1 of the EA.
  • Staff includes a discussion of the impacts and a determination of effect on federally listed species on pages E-2 through E-3 of the EA.

Statistics:

  • Generation capacity: 150 kilowatts
  • Location: Little River, Lamoille County, Vermont
  • Deadline for FWS concurrence: September 8, 2025
  • Proposed project would be exempt from licensing if approved
  • FERC's environmental assessment (EA) is available at: https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/filelist?accession_num=20250708-3020

Sources:

  • FERC email: July 8, 2025 to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service New England Ecological Services Field Office, Reference: Request for Concurrence with Endangered Species Act Determination
  • FERC Memorandum: June 10, 2025, on Endangered Species Act List (FWS Project Code: 2024-0131832), available at: https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/filelist?accession_number=20250610-3005
  • FERC Environmental Assessment (EA): July 8, 2025, available at: https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/filelist?accession_num=20250708-3020