Oswego Hydro License Up for Grabs: Share Your River Thoughts
Published Date: 6/6/2025
Notice
Summary
Oswego Hydro Partners wants a new license to run the Phoenix Hydroelectric Project on rivers in New York. The government is now reviewing the environmental impact and asking the public to share their thoughts by August 1, 2025. This could affect local communities and the environment, so your input matters before any final decisions or costs are set.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Run‑of‑river operation kept, monitoring paused
Oswego Hydro proposes to keep the Phoenix Project operating in run‑of‑river mode and maintain the impoundment between 361.92 and 362.42 feet NAVD 88, and to continue releasing a year‑round minimum flow of 300 cubic feet per second (cfs) or inflow, whichever is less. However, the applicant proposes to stop the required water‑quality monitoring and mitigative flow releases that currently apply when inflow is less than 1,900 cfs from June 1 through October 31.
Fish passage and wildlife protections continued
The applicant proposes to continue operating a trap and transport facility for upstream American eel passage (June through October), provide downstream fish passage year‑round using the downstream fishway, and to develop a fish passage operation and maintenance plan. The applicant also proposes to implement a Bat and Bald Eagle Protection Plan and maintain an interpretative display and fencing for historic properties.
Public comment window and filing deadlines
The Commission is asking the public to file comments, recommendations, terms and conditions, and prescriptions on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on August 1, 2025, with reply comments due by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on September 15, 2025. The notice also explains how to file electronically or by paper and how to get assistance from FERC's Office of Public Participation.
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