http://rutlandherald.com/article/20090424/NEWS02/904240374
A woman walks dogs at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers North Springfield Flood Control Dam in North Springfield. Photo: Vyto Starinskas / Rutland HeraldPublished April 24, 2009 in the Rutland Herald Firm eyes N. Springfield hydro-power possibilities By SUSAN SMALLHEER STAFF WRITER NORTH SPRINGFIELD – A Plainfield hydroelectric development firm wants to study turning the North Springfield flood control dam into a power-generating facility. Blue Heron Hydro LLC has filed a preliminary permit request with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to study the hydro potential of the dam, which was built in the late 1950s. Blue Heron, which has filed similar applications for flood control dams in Jamaica and Townshend, estimates it could install three turbines at the North Springfield dam, with a capacity of 0.65 megawatts, which could generate 2,200 megawatt hours of power. But Blue Heron's preliminary filing has already prompted concerns from the Connecticut River Watershed Council, which said the proposal by Blue Heron would raise the level of the lake impoundment behind the North Springfield dam by 8 feet, flooding recreation areas and affecting the fisheries in the lake. The town of Weathersfield, where most of the lake is located, has filed for intervenor status in proceedings before FERC, according to Weathersfield Town Manager Larry Melen, who said Thursday the town was simply seeking information and to be kept informed about the project. Melen said he learned about the project from Springfield Town Manager Robert Forguites, who said he learned about it when he got a letter from the Connecticut River Watershed Council and not from the developer. Forguites said Thursday that it was too soon for the town to take any stand on the project, and he noted that the town was on the official service list and would be receiving any information about the project. The town of Springfield at one time wanted to build its own hydroelectric dam on the Black River in the town of Weathersfield, several miles upstream from the flood control dam, with most of the 800-acre impoundment flooding land in neighboring Cavendish. The town also proposed using the flood control dam as a generating station as well. The town's plans died in the mid-1980s after more than 10 years of study and fighting with neighboring towns. Lori Barg, the principal behind Blue Heron Hydro, couldn't be reached for comment Thursday, but according to the FERC Web site, Blue Heron has filed similar pre-applications to study putting generating facilities at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' dams at Ball Mountain in Jamaica and Townshend Dam in that town. David Deen, river steward with the Connecticut River Watershed Council, said that his organization has requested intervenor status in the North Springfield project. Deen, who is a state representative from Westminster and chairs the House Fish and Wildlife Committee, said he knew Barg, who is a regular in the Statehouse, lobbying for hydro issues. He said at first impression it seemed like a small amount of electricity to be generated, considering the potential environmental and recreational impacts. Deen said by increasing the size of the lake, the larger surface would lead to an increase in thermal heating and would affect the temperature of the Black River as well. Deen said the proposed biomass plant in North Springfield is considering using the Black River as well for cooling water and water for steam generation. Additionally, he said the historic Crown Point Road, which cuts through the North Springfield recreation area, could be affected by Blue Heron's plans. The watershed council is asking for an in-depth study of the affects of the 8-foot water level increase will have on wetlands and river habitat. He also said that he believed that the only "car-top" boating access point on the North Springfield Lake would be inundated by the Blue Heron proposal. He said it was the only area where canoeists can get their boats in the water. Blue Heron, which also operates as Community Hydro, has filed for a similar project on the Westfield River in Massachusetts at the Littleville Dam, according to FERC. John Ramer, a FERC staffer in Washington, D.C., said that requests for intervenor status must be filed within 60 days of last week's official notice in the Federal Register.
A Plainfield hydroelectric development firm wants to study turning the North Springfield flood control dam into a power-generating facility.
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