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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