Summary of FERC and ACOE related activity during 2004
Pertaining to the
Fort Halifax Project No. 2552-065
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on January 23, 2004 issued an order approving the surrender of FPL Energy Maine Hydro, LLC (FPL Energy) Fort Halifax Project No. 2552, on the Sebasticook River, in Kennebec County, Maine.
The Town of Winslow and members of the Save our Sebasticook (SOS) petitioned for rehearing, or in the alternative motion to reconsider order approving surrender of license and partial removal of the project works dated January 23, 2004.
The FERC on March 24, 2004 issued an order granting rehearing of the Commission’s January 23, 2004 Order in this proceeding for further consideration.
The FERC on May 6, 2004 denied the rehearing and also denied a stay of the surrender order requested by the Town of Winslow and SOS.
Another matter of interest is an Army Corp of Engineers study completed on April 22, 2004 on the expected impacts to the ice regime on the Sebasticook and Kennebec Rivers resulting from the breaching of the Fort Halifax Dam.
The conclusion based on ice-hydraulic modeling done in this study was the proposed changes to the Fort Halifax Dam will not adversely affect ice pressures on the lower Sebasticook and Kennebec Rivers, and are not likely to significantly increase the ice jam flood potential on the lower Kennebec River.
If you are interested in reading any of the voluminous writings on this issue visit www.ferc.gov on the internet and check the E-Library section for Project P-2552.
In conclusion the partial removal of the Fort Halifax Dam will require permits from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (ME DEP) the Army Corp of Engineers (ACOE) and the Town of Winslow.
Whether the dam is removed during 2004 remains a question but the certainty is the anadromous fish swimming below the Fort Halifax Dam are still waiting for passage upstream.
Greg Ponte
Chair
Maine TU
TU/Kennebec Coalition Filings at FERC Regarding Fort Halifax Dam
ORDER DENYING REHEARING AND STAY
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