Highgate Falls Hydroelectric Project (P-2547-095) - Two public scoping meetings to receive input on the scope of the environmental issues that should be analyzed in the NEPA document.

Highgate Falls Hydroelectric Project (P-2547-095)

Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection.

Type of Application:  New Major License

Project No.:  2547-095

Date Filed:  April 29, 2022

Applicant:  Village of Swanton, Vermont (Village)

Name of Project:  Highgate Falls Hydroelectric Project

Location:  On Missisquoi River in Franklin County, Vermont.  The project does not occupy any federal land.

Filed Pursuant to:  Federal Power Act 16 U.S.C. §§ 791(a) – 825(r)

Applicant Contact:  Reginald R. Beliveau, Jr., Manager - Village of Swanton, 120 First Street, Swanton, Vermont 05488; call at (802) 868-3397; email at rbeliveau@swanton.net.

FERC Contact:  John Baummer at (202) 502-6837; or e-mail at john.baummer@ferc.gov.

Deadline for filing scoping comments:  October 29, 2022

Commission staff will hold two public scoping meetings to receive input on the scope of the environmental issues that should be analyzed in the NEPA document. 

The daytime meeting will focus on the concerns of resource agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and Native American tribes. 

The evening meeting will focus on receiving input from the public. 

All interested individuals, resource agencies, Native American tribes, and NGOs are invited to attend one or both of the meetings. 

The times and locations of these meetings are as follows:

Place:  Highgate Elementary School, White Room
Address:  219 Gore Road, Highgate Center, Vermont, 05459

Daytime Scoping Meeting
Date: Thursday, September 29, 2022
Time: 10:00 a.m. (EDT)

Evening Scoping Meeting
Date: Thursday, September 29, 2022
Time:  7:00 p.m. (EDT)

Copies of the Scoping Document (SD1) outlining the subject areas to be addressed in the NEPA document were distributed to the parties on the Commission’s mailing list.  Copies of the SD1 will be available at the scoping meeting or may be viewed on the web at http://www.ferc.gov using the "eLibrary" link (see item m above).

The applicant and Commission staff will conduct an environmental site review of the project beginning at 1:00 p.m. on September 29, 2022.  All interested individuals, agencies, tribes, and NGOs are invited to attend. 

All participants should meet at the parking lot next to the project dam, which is located at126, Baker Road, Highgate Center, Vermont 05459.  All participants are responsible for their own transportation to the site and during the site visit. 

If you plan to attend the environmental site review, please contact Mr. Reginald R. Beliveau, Jr. of the Village of Swanton, Vermont at (802) 868-3397, or via email at rbeliveau@swanton.net on or before September 23, 2022.