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Independent regulatory commissions

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Concludes Endangered Species Consultation for Tower and Kleber Hydroelectric Project

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has submitted a document to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in response to the agency's request for concurrence with endangered species determinations for the Tower and Kleber Hydroelectric Project. The project, located in Michigan, has undergone an environmental assessment (EA) to evaluate its potential effects on listed species, including the Hungerford's crawling water beetle, northern long-eared bat, and eastern massasauga rattlesnake. The Service has concurred with FERC's determinations that the project may affect but is not likely to adversely affect these species.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Tower and Kleber Hydroelectric Project, a run-of-river facility, will continue to operate in a manner that minimizes its effects on listed species.
  • Measures are in place to protect aquatic resources, including a drawdown and refill plan, debris management plan, and procedures for removing non-hazardous trees during the active season for bats.
  • The project's operations will not affect the habitat of the eastern massasauga rattlesnake, provided that certain conditions are met, including the use of wildlife-safe erosion control materials.
  • The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has concluded the consultation process required by Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and will reinitiate consultation under certain conditions.
  • A reservation of authority is requested to be included in the license issued for the project, allowing the FERC to require the licensee to construct, operate, and maintain fishways as prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior.
  • The project's license application includes measures to protect the northern long-eared bat, including avoiding the removal of non-hazardous trees during the active season for bats and conducting protocol-level surveys to ensure that bats are not present.

Specific Names, Programs, Initiatives, or Stories:

  • Tower Kleber Hydroelectric Project
  • Hungerford's crawling water beetle
  • Northern long-eared bat (NLEB)
  • Eastern massasauga rattlesnake (EMR)
  • FERC's Environmental Assessment (EA)
  • Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA)
  • Section 18 of the Federal Power Act
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
  • FERC's license application

Statistics:

  • 90% of inflow passed downstream and 10% used to refill the impoundment (90/10 refill procedure) (Source: FERC EA)
  • 10 contiguous acres of suitable roosting habitat not to be exceeded during tree cutting (Source: FERC EA)
  • April 15 through October 31: period when bats may be roosting in trees (Source: FERC EA)
  • October 1 through May 15: period when EMR are hibernating (Source: FERC EA)

Sources:

  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (2025)
  • FERC Environmental Assessment (EA) for Tower Kleber Hydroelectric Project (2025)
  • Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA)
  • Section 18 of the Federal Power Act
  • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

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