AUBURN — City officials on both sides of the Androscoggin River are working with environmental organizations to negotiate better river access and recreational amenities as the owner of the Lewiston Falls Hydroelectric Project looks to relicense the dams.
The City Council in Auburn discussed the process Monday ahead of public scoping meetings scheduled for Feb. 19. Such meetings define the scope of a project, including objectives, timeline, budget and other aspects.
Eric Cousens, executive director of public services in Auburn, said that since the hydropower facility is relicensed once every 30-50 years, this is the cities’ “one shot to advocate for fair and balanced use of the public river.”
The relicensing process, overseen by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, requires the applicant to address fisheries, recreation, water quality and other potential impacts of their operation with equal consideration compared to power generation.
The 28.44-megawatt facility, owned by Brookfield, was originally built in the 1860s to power the region’s mills. It was last relicensed in 1986, and expires next year.
According to Cousens, the cities and its partners in agencies such as the National Park Service are still far apart in negotiations with Brookfield on some requests.
Cousens said the cities requested 40 “aesthetic flows” annually at the falls that could coincide with events, holidays and other recreation. Brookfield has proposed six.
Aesthetic flows are also known as timed releases, where water would flow at a much higher level over the falls.
Cousens said other “remaining shortcomings” in negotiations where the two sides have not agreed include a proposed portage trail from the North River Road launch to the existing riverwalk; emergency and recreation access below what’s known as “Dresser Rips” at the falls; and recreational flow info that can be made available in real time to the public for trip planning.
The relicensing process began in 2021, and in 2022 the cities, along with its partners at American Whitewater, Trout Unlimited, Grow L+A, and the Appalachian Mountain Club, successfully requested an aesthetic flow study.
One of the stakeholders’ primary concerns is the visual impact of the Lewiston falls project. According to the study request in 2022, flows over the Great Falls have been reduced by 40% since the Charles E. Monty Station powerhouse was opened in 1990. Now, water flows over the falls just one in 10 days of the year.
Cousens said the process is soon reaching the stage where FERC has more active oversight of the relicensing process, along with “the ability to tell Brookfield where they are falling short.”
The public scoping meetings are scheduled for 9-11 a.m. and 7-10 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at the Hampton Inn in Lewiston. On Feb. 20, a site visit will take place at the falls.
Cousens said staff may ask the council to consider drafting and voting on a resolution urging FERC to consider the elements deemed important to the cities.
The issuance of a new dam license is expected in 2026.
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