Briar Hydro Associates; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment

On November 30, 2022, the Briar Hydro Associates filed a new license application for the 4.6-megawatt Penacook Lower Falls Hydroelectric Project No. 3342 (project). The project is located on the Contoocook River in City of Concord, and Town of Boscawen, Merrimack County, New Hampshire.

In accordance with the Commission's regulations, on June 20, 2024, Commission staff issued a notice that the project was ready for environmental analysis (REA Notice). Based on the information in the record, staff does not anticipate that licensing the project would constitute a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. Therefore, staff intends to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) on the application to license the project.

The EA will be issued and circulated for review by all interested parties. All comments filed on the EA will be analyzed by staff and considered in the Commission's final licensing decision.

The Commission's Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports meaningful public engagement and participation in Commission proceedings. OPP can help members of the public, including landowners, environmental justice communities, Tribal members, and others, access publicly available information and navigate Commission processes. For public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, the public is encouraged to contact OPP at (202) 502-6595 or OPP@ferc.gov.

The application will be processed according to the following schedule. Revisions to the schedule may be made as appropriate.