FERC Opens Comments on New York Hydro Project License
Published Date: 2/20/2025
Notice
Summary
Erie Boulevard Hydropower wants a new license to keep running the Franklin Falls Hydroelectric Project on the Saranac River in New York. The government is now reviewing the environmental impact and asking the public to share their thoughts within 60 days. This could affect local communities and the environment, so your voice matters before any final decisions or money moves happen.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New seasonal and year‑round flow minimums
Erie proposes specific minimum river flows below the Franklin Falls dam: 4 cubic feet per second (cfs) from November 1 through March 30, 8 cfs from June 1 through October 31 (bypassed reach flows), a minimum of 125 cfs or inflow from March 31 through May 31, and a year‑round minimum flow of 165 cfs or inflow downstream of the tailrace. These flow numbers are part of the settlement Agreement Erie filed and are being considered during environmental review.
New bypass structure, trashrack, and environmental plans
As part of the Settlement Agreement Erie proposes to build a new bypass flow release structure, replace the existing trashrack with 1‑inch clear bar spacing, and implement an Operation Compliance Monitoring Plan, Impoundment Drawdown Plan, Bald Eagle Protection Plan, and Invasive Species Management Plan. These measures are proposed for the project's relicensing and will be analyzed environmentally.
Proposal to operate in run‑of‑river mode
Erie proposes to operate the project in a run‑of‑river mode by keeping the impoundment surface within 6 inches of the crest of the spillway or flashboards (if present) and to use storage only within allowable drawdown limits to meet electricity demand. This operational change is part of the relicense Settlement Agreement and will be reviewed in the environmental analysis.
Project boundary reduced by about 26.3 acres
Erie proposes to revise the project boundary around the impoundment to follow the 1,464.88 feet NGVD 29 contour, which would remove approximately 24.7 acres from the project boundary, and to remove a net total of 1.6 acres of land adjacent to project facilities (totaling about 26.3 acres removed).
Recreation access: boat launch and portage trail retained
Erie proposes to maintain an existing hand‑carry boat launch and a portion of an existing portage trail as part of the project relicensing measures. The project currently has no formal recreation facilities but these specific access features would be retained.
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