HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-HDPC-1989-04-17 HYDROPOWER COMMISSION
Minutes
April 17 , 1989
Present : E . Mulholland , M . Sampson , A . Skutt , C . Emilian , E .
Harrison , H . Jones , D . Hoffman. , Bill Allen .
Absent : T . Araneo , M . Sprague , E . Brothers , M . Walker .
1 . Meeting was called to order at 8 : 25 p . m . by E . Harrison .
2 . Minutes of March 14 were reviewed .
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3 . Discussion of return visit by Veitch and Associates . Helen Jones
spoke to Jamie Veitch regarding a possible follow up presentation of
the Besha hydropower facility design to Comwn Council and City
Engineers . Veitch was willing to came , but said that he would
require compensation for the visit . Veitch ' s contract has been
c leted , so they are no longer under obligation . There was
discussion about whether to contact Besha directly to conduct an
�omtional session including the technology of the underground
design . Ms . Jones explained that a nonpower license is an interim
license issued by FERC to be used during relicensing when power is
not being generated and the site is being used for recreational
purposes .
4 . Helen Jones reported on deadlines for meeting Ithaca Falls license
requirements
Article 201 - -Payment of annual FERC administration fee ( not assessed
until project is on- line ) .
Article 202 --Clear and keep clear lands along open conduits , to an
adequate width ( no set deadlines , ongoing responsibility ) .
Article 301 - -Commence construction within two years , and caTplete
construction within four years ( 9 / 16 / 91 and 9 / 16 / 93 , respectively ) .
Article 302 - - Submit final contract drawings and specifications to
1! ( 7 / 16 / 91 ) .
Article 303 - - Submit design of contractor-designed cofferdams and deep
excavations to FERC ( 8 / 16 / 91 ) .
Article 304 - - Submit as -built drawings to FERC ( 12 / 16 / 93 ) .
Article 401 - - Submit erosion , dust and sediment control plan to DEC ,
USFWS and FERC ( 3 / 16 / 91 ) .
Article 402 - - Submit plan for testing and disposing of heavy metals
and other toes ( filed September , 1988 ) .
Article 403 - -Release flow of 60 cf s ( submitted to FERC in Larch ,
1989 , ongoing responsibility ) .
( over )
Hydropower Commission
Minutes - 4 / 17 / 89
Page 2
Article 404 - - Submit plan to gauge and monitor required minimum f low
( Larch , 1989 ) .
Article 405 - -Operate project in a run of the river mode _ ( ongoing ) .
Article 406 - - Submit functional design drawings of fish screen and
intake ( Larch , 1989 ) .
Article 407 - - Submit plan to avoid or minimize visual impacts
resulting from construction and operation of the plant ( 7 / 16 / 91 ) .
Article 408 - -Develop and submit plan to minimize impacts on fishermen
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and recreationists during construction ( 7 / 16 / 91 ) .
Article 409 - - dement proposed cultural park plan ( September , 1993 ) .
Article 410 - - Implement cultural resources management plan ( September ,
Is
1991 ; extension warranted due to project completion extension ) .
Article 411 - -Further consultation with State Historic Preservation
Officer and development of supplemental cultural resources management
plan upon discovery of any previously unidentified archaeological or
historic properties ( no deadline ) .
Article 412 - -Provision permitting use of project area for joint
activities enhancing scenic , recreational and other environmental
values . of the project ( no deadline ) .
Information was requested on the status of the Six Mile Creek master
plan , protection effort and map for license . Construction deadlines
on Six Mile Creek , Van Natta Dam- -two years to refile .
5o NYSEG potential for exemption from bidding is based on the actual
output of the plant for two megawatt output .
6 . Discussion of designation of Fall Creek as a recreational river .
City Attorney , Ralph Nash has written to DEC and FERC asking their
opinions regarding the effect of the designation on 401 certification
and hydropower development licensing . There was general concern
about keeping the public informed about all the implications of the
designation especially land use and possible restrictions on property
owners during the corridor boundary setting process . It was agreed
that the public would misunderstand the role of the Hydropower
Commission if it were the chief group for administering designation ,
and it was suggested that Common Council form a group ( including a
representative from the Hydropower Commission ) to discuss boundaries
and possibly implement regulations locally .
7 . Hydropower Development at Van Natta. Dam . Ms . Jones suggested that
recreational designation of Six-mile Creek could be pursued because
Hydropower Commis s ion
Minutes - 4 / 17 / 89
Page 3
it meets all of the criteria for protection . Members of the
Commission agreed that the Six Mile Creek Committee or Conservation
Advisory Committee should be encouraged to pursue designation and
report to Common Council .
Request for Proposals Update : PlaalnIng and Development Committee and
City Attorney are to comment on RFP before distribution . Advertise
in Hydrowire , New York Times , Engineering News Record other
developers who have previously expressed interest . It was suggested
to consult City Attorney about notifying prospective developers that
the City may seek protective designation of the site . Suggested
selection of developer : Planning and Development Committee should
identify a group of finalists and invite Hydropower Commission to
participate in interview process , and make a recommendation to
Ccmuon Council . Suggest to Council to establish a selection
committee consisting of representatives of Council , Hydropower
Commission , Board of Public Works and Planning and Development staff .
There was discussion about 100 -year floodplain and its effect on
designation of Fall Creek with respect to property owners in Forest
Hone . ( Alex Skutt has property in Forest Home , but no conflict of
interest . )
8 . Ellen Harrison resigned from the Commission because she will be out
of the country for the next six months .
9 . Next meeting will be Monday, May 15 , 1989 at 7 : 30 p . m .
Meeting was adjourned at 10 : 30 p . m .
EPJ/HYD:RCAPR . MIN