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United States. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

FERC Correspondence with Government Agencies on Maine Lowell Tannery Hydroelectric Project

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is processing an application to relicense the Lowell Tannery Hydroelectric Project in Maine. As part of this process, FERC has issued a correspondence with government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Marine Fisheries Service, regarding the project's effects on threatened or endangered species, critical habitat, and Essential Fish Habitat (EFH). FERC has concluded that relicensing the project under a proposed staff alternative is not likely to adversely affect Atlantic salmon or its EFH, and therefore does not believe formal consultation is required.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Lowell Tannery Hydroelectric Project is located on the Passadumkeag River in Penobscot County, Maine, and is being relicensed by FERC.
  • FERC has issued an environmental assessment (EA) on August 26, 2025, which serves as the biological assessment for the project.
  • The staff alternative for the project includes mandatory conditions and additional measures recommended by FERC staff, and is described on pages 9-11 of the EA.
  • A description of threatened and endangered species potentially affected by the project is found on pages 31-34 of the EA.
  • FERC recommends relicensing the project under the staff alternative, as it is not likely to adversely affect Atlantic salmon or its EFH.
  • The National Marine Fisheries Service has been invited to concur with FERC's determinations, with a deadline of October 28, 2025.
  • FERC encourages electronic filing and provides instructions for submitting comments and information through their eFiling system.

Statistics:

  • The Lowell Tannery Hydroelectric Project is located on the Passadumkeag River in Penobscot County, Maine.
  • FERC has concluded that relicensing the project under the staff alternative does not require formal consultation due to the lack of a likely adverse effect on Atlantic salmon or its EFH.
  • The deadline for the National Marine Fisheries Service to concur with FERC's determinations is October 28, 2025.
  • The EA for the project is available online at the FERC eLibrary site.

Sources:

  • FERC Correspondence with Government Agencies, Project No. 4202-025, August 27, 2025.
  • U.S. Department of Commerce National Marine Fisheries Service, Reference: Request for concurrence with determinations under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act and Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
  • FERC Environmental Assessment, Project No. 4202-025, August 26, 2025.
  • FERC eLibrary, https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/filelist?accession_num=20250826-3024.

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