Beebee Island Hydropower License Amendment - Flashboard System Replacement

Regs.gov: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Published June 2nd, 2025

Detected April 3rd, 2026

Summary

FERC issued a notice of non-capacity license amendment application for the Beebee Island Project (P-2538-106) on the Black River in Watertown, New York. Applicant Erie Boulevard Hydropower L.P. proposes to remove the existing 3-foot wooden flashboard system and replace it with a pneumatic flashboard system atop approximately two-thirds of the dam crest. Comments, interventions, and protests are due April 29, 2026.

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What changed

The licensee proposes to remove the remaining 3-foot-high wooden flashboard system located atop approximately two-thirds of the dam crest and replace it with a pneumatic flashboard system. This non-capacity amendment to the Beebee Island Project license requires water quality certification under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act from New York Department of Environmental Quality within 60 days of this notice.

Affected parties, including government agencies, environmental groups, and tribal nations with jurisdiction or expertise, should file comments, motions to intervene, or protests by April 29, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Cooperating agencies must note they cannot intervene if they participate in environmental document preparation. The applicant must file proof of water quality certification request or waiver within 60 days of the notice date.

What to do next

File comments, interventions, or protests by April 29, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET
If seeking cooperating agency status, submit request per filing instructions (noting intervention is forfeited)
Submit water quality certification documentation or waiver proof within 60 days if applicable

Source document (simplified)

Content

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

a. Application Type: Non-Capacity Amendment of License.

b. Project No: 2538-106.

c. Date Filed: June 2, 2025.

d. Applicant: Erie Boulevard Hydropower L.P.

e. Name of Project: Beebee Island Project.

f. Location: The project is located on Black River in the town of Watertown, in Jefferson County, New York. The project does not occupy
federal lands.

g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 791a-825r.

h. Applicant Contact: Timothy Parker, Brookefield Renewable, 184 Elm Street, Potsdam, NY 13676, (607) 664-7425, timothy.parker@brookfieldrenewable.com.

i. FERC Contact: Mark Mattozzi, (202) 502-8087, Mark.Mattozzi@ferc.gov.

j. Cooperating agencies: With this notice, the Commission is inviting federal, state, local, and Tribal agencies with jurisdiction and/or special expertise
with respect to environmental issues affected by the proposal, that wish to cooperate in the preparation of any environmental
document, if applicable, to follow the instructions for filing such requests described in item k below. Cooperating agencies
should note the Commission's policy that agencies that cooperate in the preparation of any environmental document cannot also
intervene. See 94 FERC ¶ 61,076 (2001).

k. Water Quality Certification: A water quality certificate under section 401 of the Clean Water Act is required for this proposal from New York Department
of Environmental Quality (New York DEQ). The applicant must file no later than 60 days following the date of issuance of this
notice either: (1) a copy of the request for water quality certification submitted to the New York DEQ; or (2) a copy of the
water quality certification or evidence of waiver of water quality certification.

l. Deadline for filing comments, motions to intervene, and protests: April 29, 2026 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please file motions to intervene, protests, comments, or recommendations
using the Commission's eFiling system at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp. Commenters can submit brief comments up to 6,000 characters, without prior registration, using the eComment system at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ecomment.asp. You must include your name and contact information at the end of your comments. For assistance, please contact FERC Online
Support at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, (866) 208-3676 (toll free), or (202) 502-8659 (TTY). In lieu of electronic filing, you may submit a paper copy. Submissions
sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne
A. Reese, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, MD 20852. The first page of any
filing should include the docket number P-2538-106. Comments emailed to Commission staff are not considered part of the Commission
record.

The Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure require all intervenors filing documents with the Commission to serve a copy
of that document on each person whose name appears on the official service list for the project. Further, if an intervenor
files comments or documents with the Commission relating to the merits of an issue that may affect the responsibilities of
a particular resource agency, they must also serve a copy of the document on that resource agency.

m. Description of Request: The licensee proposes to remove the remaining 3-foot-high wooden flashboard system located atop approximately two-thirds of
the dam crest and replace it with a pneumatic flashboard system. The purpose of the proposed pneumatic flashboard system is
because conventional wooden flashboards fail annually from high flows in the river, and often multiple times each year. The
proposed pneumatic system consists of steel plates supported by inflatable air bladders that can be raised or lowered in response
to operational needs or flood events. The proposed system would enhance operational control at the spillway and improve the
dam safety program at the Beebee Island Project. The system would improve operational efficiency, and would provide more stable
environmental conditions by reducing reservoir elevation fluctuations.

The licensee proposes a drawdown of approximately 1.0 foot below the crest of the dam for a duration of approximately six
weeks to install the pneumatic flashboard system. Reservoir elevation would be returned to normal following construction activities.
No new ground disturbance is expected. The proposed work would have no effect on the minimum flow release of the project.
Temporary and minor disturbances to turbidity during installation would be minimized through best management practices and
adherence to applicable environmental regulations.

n. Locations of the Application: This filing may be viewed on the Commission's website at http://www.ferc.gov using the “eLibrary” link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the
document. You may also register online at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp to be notified via email of new filings and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, call 1-866-208-3676
or email FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, for TTY, call (202) 502-8659. Agencies may obtain copies of the application directly from the applicant.

o. Individuals desiring to be included on the Commission's mailing list should so indicate by writing to the Secretary of
the Commission.

p. Comments, Protests, or Motions to Intervene: Anyone may submit comments, a protest, or a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of Rules of Practice and
Procedure, 18 CFR 385.210, .211, .214, respectively. In determining the appropriate action to take, the Commission will consider
all protests or other comments filed, but only those who file a motion to intervene in accordance with the Commission's Rules
may become a party to the proceeding. Any comments, protests, or motions to intervene must be received on or before the specified
comment date for the particular application.

q. Filing and Service of Documents: Any filing must (1) bear in all capital letters the title “COMMENTS”, “PROTEST”, or “MOTION TO INTERVENE” as applicable; (2)
set forth in the heading the name of the applicant and the project number of the application to which the filing responds;
(3) furnish the name, address, and telephone number of the person commenting, protesting or intervening; and (4) otherwise
comply with the requirements of 18 CFR 385.2001 through 385.2005. All comments, motions to intervene, or protests must set
forth their evidentiary basis. Any filing made by an intervenor must be accompanied by proof of service on all persons listed
in the service list prepared by the Commission in this proceeding, in accordance with 18 CFR 385.2010.

r. For public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, contact
the Office of Public Participation at (202) 502-6595 or OPP@ferc.gov.

(Authority: 18 CFR 2.1.)

Dated: March 30, 2026. Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2026-06432 Filed 4-1-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P