U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Approves Time Extension for Chittenden Falls Hydroelectric Project

Strategic Insights -

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has reviewed a request from Chittenden Falls Hydropower, Inc. for an extension of time to comply with downstream American Eel passage requirements pursuant to Article 401 of the project's license. The project, located on Kinderhook Creek in Columbia County, New York, requires the installation of downstream eel passage facilities, which the licensee cannot meet due to delays in fabrication of trashracks.

Key Takeaways:

  • The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reviewed a request from Chittenden Falls Hydropower, Inc. for an extension of time to comply with downstream American Eel passage requirements pursuant to Article 401 of the project's license.
  • The project, located on Kinderhook Creek in Columbia County, New York, requires the installation of downstream eel passage facilities, which consist of seasonal trashrack overlays with 0.75-inch clear spacing and orifices that lead to two downstream bypass pipes.
  • The Service approved the final designs for the downstream eel passage facilities in an email dated March 28, 2024, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the designs in a letter dated May 9, 2024.
  • The Licensee has requested an extension of time to install the trashrack overlays for units 1 and 2 by October 1, 2025, and for unit 3 by September 1, 2026, due to delays in fabrication of the trashracks.
  • The Licensee has proposed to cease generation of units 1 and 2 beginning September 1, 2025, until the trashracks are installed and the downstream passage orifices are operational to protect outmigrating eels.
  • The Service has no concerns with the Licensee's proposal and approves of the extension of time request.

Statistics:

  • The project requires the installation of downstream eel passage facilities within 1 year of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (Commission) approval of the designs, which was May 9, 2024.
  • The Licensee has proposed to install the trashrack overlays for units 1 and 2 by October 1, 2025, and for unit 3 by September 1, 2026.
  • The downstream eel passage facilities consist of seasonal trashrack overlays with 0.75-inch clear spacing and orifices that lead to two downstream bypass pipes.
  • The project is located on Kinderhook Creek in Columbia County, New York.
  • The Service has reviewed and approved several letters from the Licensee providing recommendations on the 30 percent, 60 percent, and 90 percent designs of the downstream eel passage facilities.

Sources:

  • 1 Order Issuing Subsequent License (181 FERC P 62,082), issued October 31, 2022.
  • FERC Accession Nos. 20230905-5069, 20231201-5357, and 20240314-5059.