July 3, 2008 - LIHI Certifies Oswego River Project and it's Brookfield's eighth LIHI certified Project!
Oswego River Hydro Project is the eighth Brookfield
Renewable Power Project to Earn LIHI Certification in New York State
Portland, Maine (July 3, 2008) --- The LIHI Governing Board today certified the Oswego River Hydropower Project. The Board’s decision, which was unanimous, recognizes that the Oswego River Hydropower Project has avoided or reduced the Project’s environmental impacts pursuant to the Low Impact Hydropower Institute’s criteria. On December 7, 2007, the Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) received a certification application for the Oswego River Project. LIHI certification means that the hydropower facility has been found to meet or exceed the Institute's Certification Criteria which address eight key areas: river flows, water quality, fish passage and protection, watershed protection, threatened and endangered species protection, cultural resource protection, recreation, and facilities recommended for removal. Certification is designed to provide consumers with assurance that a facility has avoided or reduced their environmental impacts pursuant to the Low Impact Hydropower Institute’s criteria.
The Oswego Project consists of five developments (Oswego Falls East, Oswego Falls West, Fulton, Minetto, and Varick developments) and comprise two FERC-licensed hydroelectric projects along the Oswego River in Oswego County, New York. The projects are all located at locks and dams owned by the New York State Thruway Authority Canal Corporation (NYSCC), operator of the State Barge Canal System.
The Oswego River is formed at the confluence of the Seneca and Oneida rivers and flows north approximately 23 river miles to Lake Ontario. The Oswego River first flows through the Lock 1 dam impoundment at the Phoenix Project (FERC No. 4113), which is owned by Algonquin Power. The water flow then enters the Oswego Falls impoundment formed by the Upper Fulton Dam (Lock 2, River Mile 12.6). The Oswego Falls East and Oswego Falls West developments (FERC No. 5984) are located immediately below this impoundment.
Once past the Oswego Falls Project, water flow enters the Fulton impoundment. The Granby Project (not part of this application) and Fulton development (FERC No. 2474) are located at opposite sides of Lower Fulton dam (Lock 3), approximately one mile below Upper Fulton dam. The Oswego River next enters the impoundment formed by the Minetto dam. The Minetto development (FERC No. 2474) is located near Lock 5, approximately 6.4 miles downstream of Fulton. Next water flow enters the impoundment at Lock 6 and the High Dam Project (FERC No. 10551), which is owned by the city of Oswego, with Erie providing operation and maintenance support for the plant. Finally, once past the High Dam Project, water flow enters the Varick impoundment. The Varick development (FERC No. 2474) is located near Lock 7, 1.4 miles above the mouth of Lake Ontario.
The Oswego River Project meets LIHI’s eight environmentally rigorous criteria addressing river flows, water quality, fish passage and protection, watershed health, endangered species protection, cultural resources, recreation use and access, and whether or not the dam itself has been recommended for removal. The Oswego River Project successfully completed LIHI’s application process, which includes a public comment period, review by an independent technical consultant or LIHI staff, consultations with state and federal natural resource agencies, and evaluation by the LIHI Governing Board, including leaders in the river conservation and renewable energy fields.
In reaching its decision to certify the Oswego River Project, the Low Impact Hydropower Institute’s Governing Board reviewed the application for certification, as well as the Application Reviewer’s report. The Board’s vote to certify the Oswego River Project was unanimous. LIHI received no public comments on this application.
For further information about the Oswego River Project, or any of the other projects certified by LIHI, please contact Fred Ayer, LIHI Executive Director at (207)-773-8190, or visit the LIHI website at www.lowimpacthydro.org. LIHI is a nonprofit organization that certifies hydropower facilities nationwide that have avoided or reduced their environmental impacts pursuant to the Low Impact Hydropower Institute’s criteria.
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