We write you with a sense of urgency about forthcoming federal decisions that will affect our great Connecticut River for decades in the future. Now is the moment for all who care about the Connecticut River to raise our voices and ensure that future licenses for the hydropower dams at Wilder, Bellows Falls and Vernon do justice to river-related habitats, species, communities, landowners and recreational users during the generation of clean energy by Great River Hydro Co. (GRH).
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) recently issued a draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for proposed licenses for the three hydroelectric facilities for the next 30 to 50 years. All of us need to convey to FERC the importance of GRH’s role in addressing ancillary adverse effects such as riverbank erosion that accompanies dam operations.
It is our opinion, that proposed compensation in the alternatives evaluated is insufficient to compensate for anticipated adverse effects. We think it is imperative that additional compensation measures are provided in the final EIS and incorporated into license agreements. The DEIS it is located here: https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/filelist?accession_number=20250530-3010
The Connecticut River Joint Commissions (CRJC), regional planning commissions, local town officials and others have all developed well-considered plans regarding the Connecticut River. This work deserves to be implemented. For this reason, we urge that a necessary condition of the future licenses to operate these three dams include a “Mitigation and Enhancement Fund.”
We reach out to you because we know that a chorus of concern and hope will be heard better than the voices of a few. Please join us in advocating a commitment for additional protection and enjoyment of the natural and human resources of the Connecticut River.
The comment period is currently open, and comments must be submitted before 5 p.m. on Aug. 28. Please communicate with FERC using eComment (https://ferconline.ferc.gov/QuickComment.aspx). FERC Project Nos. are 1892, 1855 and 1904 for the Wilder, Bellows Falls and Vernon Hydroelectric Projects, respectively.
Jim McClammer
Charlestown
The writer is a member of the Connecticut River Joint Commissions.