Maine Hydro Project Awaits Water Quality Decision
Published Date: 6/18/2026
Notice
Summary
Hackett Mills Hydro Associates asked Maine’s environmental agency for permission to keep their water clean while running their hydro project. Maine has one year, until May 22, 2027, to approve or deny this request. If they don’t decide by then, the approval is automatically given, so the project can move forward without delay.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Automatic waiver if no state action
If Maine DEP does not act on the water quality certification request by May 22, 2027, the certifying authority is deemed waived under Clean Water Act section 401(a)(1). That waiver allows the project to proceed without the state certification after that date.
One-year deadline for Maine DEP
Hackett Mills Hydro submitted a Clean Water Act section 401(a)(1) water quality certification request on May 22, 2026. Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection has one year — until May 22, 2027 — to approve or deny that request.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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