Notice of Public Hearing and Public Comment Period
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
FirstLight Power Application for Hydroelectric Power Generation
401 Water Quality Certification
This Public Hearing Notice is available in alternative languages (Español) on MassDEP's website at: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/massdep-public-hearings-comment-opportunities
Notice is hereby given that FirstLight Power has filed an application for a 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC application) with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). That application is required as part of FirstLight’s pending application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to relicense FirstLight’s Connecticut River hydroelectric dam and associated facilities in Turners Falls and Montague and the pumped storage facility in Northfield, all under the Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. § 797(e).
The WQC application is available on FirstLight’s and MassDEP’s websites at: https://www.northfield-relicensing.com/401-wqc-documents?per_page=1000 and https://www.mass.gov/info-details/401-wqc-for-the-firstlight-hydroelectric-re-licensing-project
For additional information, please email FirstLight at relicensing@firstlight.energy or MassDEP at dep.hydro@mass.gov
Public Comments and Hearings
MassDEP will conduct two public hearings on the WQC application. Registration is required in advance at the links below:
Remote Only, May 29, 2024 at 1:30 pm - https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_n2c7s5dJQqSJZ1ebMhWKNw
Remote Only, May 29, 2024 at 7:00 pm - https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TTGkjrLOT_qBnjxtUiDWmg
After registering for the remote session, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. The purpose of the hearing is for members of the public to comment orally on the WQC application as part of the official record.
Written comments will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on June 3, 2024. The Department encourages electronic submission by email to dep.hydro@mass.gov which must include FirstLight 401 WQC in the subject line. In lieu of electronic submittal, paper comments may be mailed to Elizabeth Stefanik, Attn: FirstLight 401WQC, MassDEP-BWR, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900, Boston, MA 02114.
For special accommodations for these hearings, please call the MassDEP Diversity Office at 617- 292-5751. TTY# MassRelay Service 1-800-439-2370. This information is available in alternate format upon request. MassDEP provides language access interpreter/translation services to limited English proficient individuals free of charge. If you need an interpreter to participate in this
meeting, translation services can be found at the following link: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massdep-language-translation-assistance.
By Order of the Department of Environmental Protection
Bonnie Heiple, Commissioner
