Shelburne Hydroelectric Project Species List and Regulatory Requirements

Strategic Insights -

The Shelburne Hydroelectric Project, a 3.72-megawatt hydroelectric facility located on the Androscoggin River in Coos County, New Hampshire, has been issued a new license application by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The application includes an updated list of threatened, endangered, proposed, and candidate species, and proposed and final designated critical habitats under the Endangered Species Act. According to a memorandum from Amy Chang, Wildlife Biologist, Division of Hydropower Licensing, Office of Energy Projects, there are four species that need to be considered in the effects analysis for the project: Canada Lynx, Northern Long-eared Bat, Tricolored Bat, and Monarch Butterfly.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Shelburne Hydroelectric Project, a 3.72-megawatt hydroelectric facility, has been issued a new license application by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
  • The project is located on the Androscoggin River in Coos County, New Hampshire, and requires consideration of four threatened, endangered, proposed, and candidate species.
  • The species list, provided by the New England Ecological Services Field Office, includes Canada Lynx, Northern Long-eared Bat, Tricolored Bat, and Monarch Butterfly.
  • The species list fulfills the requirements of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under section 7(c) of the Endangered Species Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
  • The project location does not overlap with the final critical habitat of the Canada Lynx, but the location is within the range of this species.
  • The Northern Long-eared Bat, Tricolored Bat, and Monarch Butterfly are listed as threatened or endangered and require consideration in the project's effects analysis.
  • The project must consider the impacts to these species, including do not result in take, as it is prohibited to harm these species and their habitats.
  • The Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act also apply to the project, requiring consideration of impacts to native birds.
  • Project proponents are required to verify the accuracy of the species list after 90 days and to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under section 7(a) of the Endangered Species Act.

Statistics:

  • The Shelburne Hydroelectric Project is located in Coos County, New Hampshire, near the Androscoggin River.
  • The project has a capacity of 3.72 megawatts.
  • The species list includes four threatened, endangered, proposed, and candidate species: Canada Lynx, Northern Long-eared Bat, Tricolored Bat, and Monarch Butterfly.
  • The project must consider the impacts to these species, including do not result in take, as it is prohibited to harm these species and their habitats.
  • The Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act also apply to the project, requiring consideration of impacts to native birds.

Sources:

  • New England Ecological Services Field Office, 70 Commercial Street, Suite 300, Concord, NH 03301-5094.
  • United States Department of the Interior, FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, New England Ecological Services Field Office, 70 Commercial Street, Suite 300, Concord, NH 03301-5094.
  • Northern Long-eared Bat, Myotis septentrionalis, species page: https://www.fws.gov/species/northern-long-eared-bat-myotis-septentrionalis
  • Monarch Butterfly, Danaus plexippus, species page: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/9743