NOAA Fisheries Comments on Hackett Mills Hydroelectric Project Licensing

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Greater Atlantic Region has submitted comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding the Hackett Mills Hydroelectric Project licensing process. The comments focus on the environmental impact assessment and the consideration of alternatives to relicensing the project. NMFS suggests that decommissioning the project with environmental enhancement measures is a reasonable alternative to relicensing, citing safety concerns and the project's minimal power generation. The comments also highlight the delayed fish passage installation, which will impede the voluntary passage of diadromous fish to habitat upstream of the project.

Key Takeaways:

• NMFS recommends considering project decommissioning as a reasonable alternative to relicensing, citing safety concerns and minimal power generation (485 kw).
• The Little Androscoggin River is identified as a Restoration Focus Area in the Androscoggin River Watershed Comprehensive Plan for Diadromous Fishes.
• The Upper Barker Hydroelectric project licensee's proposal to delay fish passage installation until 2039 will delay volitional passage of diadromous fish by at least eight years.
• The licensee did not conduct any radio-tagged fish movement studies, and the migratory fish population downstream of the project will need to be analyzed in the NEPA document.
• The NOAA Restoration Center has funded the full removal of the partially breached dam in 2 Littlefield, ME, adjacent to the Martindale Country Club golf course, with construction anticipated in 2026.

Statistics:

• 485 kw: The minimal power generation of the Hackett Mills Hydroelectric Project.
• 2022: The year the Upper Barker Hydroelectric project licensee submitted their offer of settlement, which includes an agreed-upon date of 2031 for upstream passage.
• 2031: The proposed date for upstream passage installation according to the Upper Barker offer of settlement.
• 2039: The date proposed by the Hackett Mills project applicant for the installation of fish passage.
• 8 years: The delay in volitional passage of diadromous fish to habitat upstream of the project due to the proposed fish passage installation date.

Sources:

*

* National Marine Fisheries Service, Greater Atlantic Region. NOAA Fisheries Scoping Comments on FERC's Scoping Document 1 for the Hackett Mills Hydroelectric Project (P-6398-026).

* Eagle Creek Services' Offer of Settlement, submitted in 2022.

* NOAA Restoration Center. Dam Removal Construction in 2 Littlefield, ME, adjacent to the Martindale Country Club golf course.