Public Comments Period Open for Connecticut River Hydro Dams in NH (+VT & MA Update)

[Press Release: Claremont, NH, 3/27/25] For over twelve years, the Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) has been engaged in the relicensing of five hydropower facilities on the Connecticut River—three of which are in New Hampshire—to ensure the best possible outcome for our rivers, habitats, and communities. 

The NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) has released the draft 401 Water Quality Certifications (WQC) for the Wilder, Bellows Falls, and Vernon dams, owned by Great River Hydro (GRH). Public comments on all three draft 401 WQC are due by 4pm on April 11, 2025.  This is the only opportunity for the public to comment on what NHDES will require as conditions in the federal licenses that will affect over 120 miles of the Connecticut River - between West Lebanon and Hinsdale, NH - for the next 30-50 years.

Connecticut River Conservancy has reviewed the draft 401s for Wilder, Bellows Falls, and Vernon and are concerned that appropriate conditions to protect water quality and recreational access for the Connecticut River are not adequate as proposed. It is imperative that members of the community submit public comments on this process to make sure that NHDES protects this resource for the people of New Hampshire.

The public comment period for Vermont and Massachusetts have passed, but all documents and comments submitted by CRC can be found in this hydropower update sent to subscribers on 3/25/25.

The 401 Water Quality Certification refers to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (CWA), and the 401 process is required for the relicensing of all hydroelectric facilities.

A federal agency (in this case the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC) may not issue a license to hydro facilities unless the state or authorized tribe issues a Section 401 Water Quality Certification verifying that the discharge and hydro operations will comply with existing water quality standards. In New Hampshire, the purpose of the Water Quality Certification program is to protect surface water quality and designated uses (such as swimming and aquatic life) by ensuring compliance with New Hampshire surface water quality standards.

States can deny, waive, or issue a 401 Water Quality Certification with or without required conditions. Anything the states require as a condition in this certification will automatically be included in the final FERC license. Because of this, the 401 Water Quality Certification can provide conditions to ensure Great River Hydro’s operations will be protective of the Connecticut River. Ideally, the Water Quality Certification would include water quality and sediment transport monitoring efforts, enhanced recreation access, timely migratory fish passage, land management plans (which include aquatic and terrestrial invasive species management), and mitigation and relief efforts for erosion caused by facilities operations.

The NHDES Water Quality Certification website, provides citizens with public notices and information about applications under review. One essential part of the certification process is the public comment period, which allows the public to comment on NHDES’s draft Water Quality Certifications. Anyone can provide written comments by mail or email (preferred).

Instructions for writing comments: Comments will be accepted until 4pm on Friday April 11, 2025. Only written comments will be accepted. Please include the Project name, certification number, your name, organization, mailing address, email address, and telephone number with your submittal.

By Mail:

Water Quality Certification Program (Attention: Daniel Demers)

NHDES Watershed Management Bureau  

P.O. Box 95

Concord, NH 03301-0095

By email (preferred):

Send to wqc@des.nh.gov

*If you have questions about the draft certification or have difficulties accessing the files, please contact Daniel Demers, Supervisor of the NHDES Water Quality Certification program at (603) 271-0699 or by email at daniel.j.demers@des.nh.gov. 

Anyone who uses and enjoys the Connecticut River has a vested interest in how this resource is affected by the hydroelectric facilities. Commenting allows residents to illustrate the importance of protecting the Connecticut River. The Connecticut River Conservancy encourages you to read the draft 401 Water Quality Certifications and use your voice to advocate for a clean, healthy Connecticut River. You can reference CRC’s initial comments on GRH’s application to understand our concerns. CRC encourages you to support restoration and protection efforts on the Connecticut River through public comment.

The notification of public comment period, draft 401 Water Quality Certification, and other information can be accessed through the NHDES Water Quality Certification page.

Additional background information on the hydropower relicensing process can be found on CRC’s Hydropower Relicensing page.

For questions about hydropower relicensing in NH:

Marilla Harris-Vincent, NH River Steward   

mharrisvincent@ctriver.org; 603-503-0419   

For all other inquiries:

Diana Chaplin, Director of Communications  

dchaplin@ctriver.org; 413-834-0079