HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-HDPC-1989-09-18 Hydropower Cmmnission
Minutes
September 18, 1989
Present: D. Hoffman, E. Brothers, A. Skutt, C. Emilian, M. Fabrizio,
M. Sampson, H. Jones. Absent: M. Sprague, E. Mulholland, T. Araneo.
I. Meeting was called to order at 7:38 p.m. by Chair Dan Hoffman.
2. Minutes of June 19 and July 25 were approved unanimously. Chair
acknowledged Margaret Fabrizio, who was recently appointed to serve
on the Hydropower Commission representing the community at large.
3. Ithaca Falls
Status Report: Information has been received from both FERC and the
DEC on the effects of recreational rivers designation on hydropower
development. It appears that the previous licenses held by Cornell
University and Synergics, Inc. are no longer considered active or
valid, and this is also true of their 401 certificates from the DEC.
Both Cornell and Synergics would have to reapply for a new 401
certificate which would not be granted if Fall Creek is designated
as a recreational river. Therefore, if designation occurs, the City
of Ithaca would hold the only valid hydropower license, and if the
City chose not to exercise that license, a private developer could
not obtain a license.
Status of Designation Effort.: Ms. Jones suggested that the
Commission put forward a resolution suggesting that Common Council
relinquish further consideration of City construction of hydropower
at Ithaca Falls on the grounds that the City would carry substantial
expense and liability. It was agreed that in order to justify
abandoning the project, the Commission should supply Council with
additional information on the projected financial factors and
liability involved for a conventional system. The resolution that
was adopted does not recommend relinquishing the license at this
time but does recommend that desi ation of Fall Creek as a
recreational river be pursued. It was suggested that City
representatives attend the board meetings of the Towns of Ithaca and
Dryden to show support and gain a more accurate idea of the
attitudes of the communities to be affected by the proposed
designation.
Engineering Services -- Underground Design: It was estimated that
it would cost the City approximately $25,000 to hire an engineer to
conduct a preliminary underground design study. Following some
discussion, it was agreed to defer action at least one month to see
how support for designation is proceeding before recommending
further expenditure on hydropower development. It was also
believed that it would be extremely helpful to obtain a cost
comparison for underground vs. conventional scheme from the
engineering firms that have submitted proposals to provide services
for this project. The Commission requested that this information be
compiled before the next meeting.
Hydropower Commission -- Minutes Page 2
September 18, 1989
WHEREAS, a primary motive in the City's effort to construct a
hydropower facility at Ithaca Falls has been to preclude
"uncontrolled" development of the site by private parties, and
WHEREAS, in order to construct such a facility the City will
bear considerable expense and liability, and
WHEREAS, recent information obtained from the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission and New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation has affirmed that designation of Fall
Creek as a State Recreational River will provide definitive
protection against development of the Ithaca Falls for hydropower by
any party other than the City,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Hydropower Commission
does recommend that Common Council reaffirm its support of
designation of Fall Creek as a New York State Recreational River,
and work with Representatives Marty Luster and James Seward to
develop appropriate legislation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Hydropower Commission
recommends that Common Council direct staff to provide support
services to facilitate the designation process.
Moved by Skutt, seconded by Fabrizio, carried unanimously.
4. Van Natta Dam. After lengthy discussion, the following was moved by
Emilian, seconded by Skutt, and carried 5-0--1.
RESOLDTICN:
WHEREAS, a Request for Proposals for private hydropower
development of the Van Natta Dam was issued, and
WHBF-AS, none of the proposals received in response to said RFP
have demonstrated a sufficient benefit to the City of Ithaca, and
WHEREAS, new monitoring requirements and enforcement provisions
being effected by FERC place an increased burden of liability on the
City as the holder of the FERC Exemption on this project, and
WHEREAS, the City would be afforded some opportunity to
influence the form of development of the site by a private entity
through the FERC licensing process and through negotiations
concerning the transfer of property and water rights held by the
City at the site,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Hydropower Commission
does recommend that Common Council reject all proposals received in
response to the RFP to develop the Van Natta Dam under the City's
Exemption, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the FERC Exemption held by the
City for such project be surrendered prior to the March 1990
deadline for beginning construction.
5. Next meeting date was set for October 11.
EPJ-HYDRO/Minutes.Sep