Hydropower Reform Coalition - Virginia

Final EA Released: FERC Staff Do Not Adopt State's Recommended Flows

Rupak Thapaliya — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 15:12:32 -0500

On April 8, 2011 FERC Staff issued a Final Environmental Assessment (FEA) for the Claytor Hydroelectric Project (P-769) on the New River in Pulaski county, Virginia.

In the FEA, the FERC staff have not adopted the recommendations on flows made by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) to protect the aquatic habitat downstream from the Claytor dam. The FEA, like the draft EA, states that there is ..."no basis to expect that a more natural flow regime or one that would narrow the gap between the base flow and the generation flow would enhance the fish community of the New River downstream from Claytor dam."

FERC determined that the additional cost of lost generation does not outweigh the benefits of the higher flow releases. The annual cost of increased minimum flows were calculated to be $28,290.

The project now goes to the Commissioners for final order before the current license expires on June 30, 2011.

Draft EA Issued for Claytor Project: FERC Staff Disagree with Resource Agency Staff on Recommended Flows

Rupak Thapaliya — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:59:08 -0500

Project: Claytor : P-739

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) for the relicensing of the Claytor hydroelectric project located on the New River in Pulaski County in Virginia. Appalachian Power Company is seeking to get a new license for the 75 MW project and had filed its application in June 2009.

In its DEA, contrary to Virginia Department of Fish and Inland Fisheries’ (VDGIF) recommendations, FERC staff do not recommend that higher flows be required downstream of the project.

VDGIF had recommended that Appalachian Power be required to release 1,250 cubic feet per second (cfs) or inflow (whichever is less) during December and January and 1,500 cfs or inflow (whichever is less) in February and March. On the other hand, Appalachian had proposed hourly discharge of 750 cfs or inflow (whichever is less) during April through November, and 1000 cfs or inflow (whichever is less) during December through March, which is the peaking season.

The EA states that there is "no basis to expect that a more natural flow regime or one that would narrow the gap between the base flow and the generation flow would enhance the fish community of the New River downstream from Claytor dam."

VDGIF had recommended higher flows to better mimic the long-term hydrograph, provide better flows for aquatic species, and for recreational boaters.

The DEA is available for public comment for 30 days.

Smith Mountain Gets A New 30-year License

Rupak Thapaliya — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:32:09 -0600

Project: Smith Mountain : P-2210

Yesterday, FERC issued a new 30-year license to American Electric Power (AEP), a subsidiary of Appalachian Power Company, for continued operation of the 636 MW Smith Mountain Project.

However the new license will be effective only after the current license expires on March 31, 2010.

Among other things, the license requires AEP to monitor any erosion occurring along the shoreline of both the Smith Mountain and the Leesville lakes. The monitoring will help identify areas of high erosion where remedial measures may be needed. In addition, AEP will also develop demonstration projects that use natural methods to stabilize eroding shoreline. These measures follow after a finding by staff in August in their final environmental impact statement (FEIS) that that wind waves and boats were the two main sources of shoreline erosion.

To address sedimentation in the lake, AEP will need to monitor sedimentation and also dredge an area in Smith Mountain Lake where sediment impedes access at a boat launch.

The license also requires AEP to file a revised Water Management Plan to address competing uses of water to maintain lake level and to provide adequate water downstream for aquatic and recreational uses.

The project is located on the headwaters of the Roanoke River in Bedford, Campbell, Franklin, and Pittsylvania counties in Virginia.

Cushaw project licensed for 30 years

Rupak Thapaliya — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 11:44:19 -0500

Project: Cushaw : P-906

Earlier today, FERC issued a 30-year license to Dominion Virginia Power for continued operation of Cushaw hydroelectric project on the James River in Virginia.

The project is located on the James River which provides habitat for James spinymussel, which is one of 37 threatened or endangered mussel species in Virginia and is found only in the upper James River and Dan River basins. Dominion Power has proposed to grant $10,000 to Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) for protection of the James spinymussel. Although, that may not be a significant amount, the commitment shown by Dominion is laudable.

The current license for the project, which began generating electricity in 1930, expires on June 15, 2008.

Final Environmental Assessment Report issued for Cushaw

Rupak Thapaliya — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:42:50 -0500

Project: Cushaw : P-906

FERC has recommended issuing a new license to Dominion Virginia Power for continued operation of the Cushaw hydroelectric project on the James River near Glasgow, Virginia. The project occupies 4.12 acres of the Jefferson National Forest's James River Face Wilderness Area and 0.76 acres of James River bottom.

Contrary to the licensee's proposal, FERC however, does not recommend measures to protect American Eel and American Shad in its Final Environmental Assessment (FEA) report. Likewise, although Dominion proposes providing funding for habitat restoration for federally endangered James spinymussel, FERC has determined that such a measure is not necessary. Once widely present throughout the basin, this endangered species listed in 1988 currently occurs only in a few numbers in the James and Ranoake rivers in Virginia.

The current license is due to expire on June 15, 2008.

American Rivers & NOAA now accepting proposals for river restoration grants

John Seebach — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 14:48:12 -0500

American Rivers seeks proposals for river restoration project grants as part of its partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Community-based Restoration Program. Program funding is provided through NOAA’s Open Rivers Initiative, which seeks to enable environmental and economic renewal in local communities through the removal of stream barriers.

This Partnership funds stream barrier removal projects that help restore riverine ecosystems, enhance public safety and community resilience, and have clear and identifiable benefits to diadromous fish populations. Diadromous fish migrate between freshwater and saltwater during their life cycle. Examples include alewife, American eel, American shad, blueback herring, salmon, steelhead, shortnose sturgeon and striped bass. Projects in the Northeast (ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI), Mid-Atlantic (NY, NJ, PA, DE, VA, MD, DC), Northwest (WA, OR, ID), and California are eligible to apply. Projects located within the St. Lawrence/Great Lakes Basin are not eligible for funding in the December 2007 grant round.

Eligible applications will be evaluated based upon four priority criteria:

Ecological merits of the project,
Technical feasibility of the project,
Benefits provided to the local community, and
Financial clarity and strength of the application.

Grants are provided for three distinct project phases: Feasibility Analysis, Engineering Design and Construction. Average grants are $25,000 - $50,000. Successful applicants for one project phase will not be eligible to receive additional funding for that same project phase in future grant rounds. See the Funding Guidelines for additional details.

Applications are currently being accepted for the first cycle of fiscal year 2008 with a deadline of December 3, 2007. Applications for projects must be postmarked by the deadline for consideration in this funding cycle. Potential applicants should contact American Rivers to discuss potential projects prior to submitting an application. Applicants can expect notification about funding decisions in early March 2008.

Obtain the Application for Financial Assistance and Funding Guidelines on the American Rivers web site.

Virginia Dam Defines Dereliction in Licensing

John Seebach — Mon, 15 Sep 2003 07:00:00 -0500

Project: Harvell : P-8657 | Battersea : P-8535

After years of directly violating license articles, failing to submit plans or reports on time or at all, not installing fish passage, failing to provide a minimum flow, and generating power despite direct orders from FERC to cease operation, the Commission has threatened to revoke the License for the Harvell project on Virginia's Appomattox River.

In its 1987 license, FERC directed the owner of the Harvell project to construct, maintain, and monitor upstream and downstream fish passage. During the relicensing process agencies determined that fish passage at the Harvell project, the first dam on the Appomattox River, would benefit striped bass, American shad, hickory shad, blueback herring, and alewife.

By 1998, the licensee had constructed half of the upstream passage facilities. A FERC inspection in 2000 demonstrated that the existing upstream passage was not operating properly as a result of low attraction flows. After several letters from FERC, the licensee finally agreed to monitor the migration season of 2001 and provide a report to FERC by spring 2002. That deadline passed and it was not until March 2003 that the licensee finally filed what amounted to an inadequate report with FERC. Further visits by FERC in 2002 revealed that the entrainment barrier component of downstream passage had been improperly installed.

Additionally, in summer 2000, a license violation of a minimum flow-related license article resulted in the death of 500 to 1000 fish, as documented by a residential neighbor to the project. Compliance orders directing the licensee to cease operations had no effect: the licensee generated power and nearly $38,000 in summer 1996. A civil penalty levied against the licensee remains only partially paid.

The order, issued September 15, only proposes to revoke the license. The licensee may respond within 30 days or may request an evidentiary hearing, prolonging proceedings.