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` Dahowa Hydroelectric Project
` FERC No. P – 4644
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`Final License Application
`Exhibit E
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`Dahowa Falls Hydroelectric Project
`Final License Application
`Exhibit E – Environmental Report
`Pursuant to 18 CFR §4.51
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`FERC Project No. 4644‐NY
`November 2024
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`GR Catalyst Two, LLC
`c/o Gravity Renewables, Inc.
`5 Dartmouth Drive, Suite 104
`Auburn, NH 03032
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` Dahowa Hydroelectric Project
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`Final License Application
`Exhibit E
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`Dahowa Hydroelectric Project
`Final License Application
`Exhibit E – Environmental Report
`FERC No. P-4644
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`Contents
`1.0
`Consultation and Relicensing Timeline ............................................................................................ 9
`2.0
`Compliance with or Consultation Under the Following Laws ........................................................ 10
`2.1 Section 401 of the Clean Water Act ............................................................................................... 10
`2.2 Endangered Species Act ................................................................................................................. 10
`2.3 Magnuson‐Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act .................................................. 10
`2.4 Costal Zone Management Act (CZMA) ........................................................................................... 10
`2.5 National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 ............................................................................. 12
`2.6 Wild and Scenic Rivers Act ............................................................................................................. 12
`3.0
`Summary of Recommended, Resource Specific Protection, Mitigation and Enhancement
`Measures ..................................................................................................................................................... 13
`4.0
`General Description of the Project Locale ..................................................................................... 14
`4.1 General Description of the Watershed .......................................................................................... 14
`4.2 Climate ........................................................................................................................................... 19
`4.3 Topography .................................................................................................................................... 19
`5.0
`Geology and Soils ........................................................................................................................... 20
`5.1 Affected Environment .................................................................................................................... 20
`5.2 Project Impact on Geology and Soils ............................................................................................. 24
`5.3 Protection, Mitigation, and Enhancement Measures (PM&E) ...................................................... 25
`Agency Recommended Mitigation ...................................................................................................... 25
`Applicant Proposed Mitigation ........................................................................................................... 25
`Water Resources ............................................................................................................................ 26
`6.0
`6.1 Affected Environment .................................................................................................................... 26
`Drainage Area ..................................................................................................................................... 26
`Streamflow – USGS Gage Data............................................................................................................ 26
`Impoundment ..................................................................................................................................... 31
`Bypassed Reach ................................................................................................................................... 31
`Water Quality Standards ..................................................................................................................... 31
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`Available Water Quality Data .............................................................................................................. 33
`2023 Water Quality Study ....................................................................................................................... 38
`6.2 Project Impact on Water Resources .............................................................................................. 39
`6.3 Protection, Mitigation, and Enhancement Measures (PM&E) ...................................................... 40
`Agency Recommended Mitigation ...................................................................................................... 40
`Applicant Proposed Mitigation ........................................................................................................... 40
`Fish and Aquatic Resources ........................................................................................................... 41
`7.0
`7.1 Affected Environment .................................................................................................................... 41
`Resident Fish ....................................................................................................................................... 41
`2022/23 Fish Assemblage Study ......................................................................................................... 44
`Migratory Fish ..................................................................................................................................... 51
`2022 American Eel eDNA Study .......................................................................................................... 57
`Benthic Macroinvertebrates ............................................................................................................... 61
`2022 Macroinvertebrate Study ........................................................................................................... 77
`Freshwater Mussels ............................................................................................................................ 80
`2022 Freshwater Mussel Study ........................................................................................................... 82
`7.2 Project Impact on Fish and Aquatic Resources .............................................................................. 84
`7.3 Protection, Mitigation, and Enhancement Measures (PM&E) ...................................................... 84
`Agency Recommended Mitigation ...................................................................................................... 84
`Applicant Proposed Mitigation ........................................................................................................... 85
`Terrestrial Resources ..................................................................................................................... 85
`8.0
`8.1 Affected Environment .................................................................................................................... 85
`Botanical Resources ............................................................................................................................ 85
`Wildlife Resources ............................................................................................................................... 87
`Avifauna .............................................................................................................................................. 88
`Herptiles .............................................................................................................................................. 95
`8.2 Floodplains, Wetlands, Riparian, and Littoral Habitat ................................................................... 96
`Floodplains .......................................................................................................................................... 96
`Wetlands ............................................................................................................................................. 97
`Riparian Zone Habitats ........................................................................................................................ 98
`Littoral Zone Resources..................................................................................................................... 103
`8.3 Project Impact on Terrestrial Resources ...................................................................................... 104
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`8.4 Protection, Mitigation, and Enhancement Measures (PM&E) .................................................... 104
`Agency Recommended Mitigation .................................................................................................... 104
`Applicant Proposed Mitigation ......................................................................................................... 104
`Threatened and Endangered Species .......................................................................................... 105
`9.0
`9.1 Affected Environment .................................................................................................................. 105
`9.2 Project Impact on Threatened and Endangered Species ............................................................. 107
`Agency Recommended Mitigation .................................................................................................... 107
`Applicant Proposed Mitigation ......................................................................................................... 107
`Recreation and Land Use Resources ............................................................................................ 108
`10.0
`Affected Environment ............................................................................................................. 108
`10.1
`Recreation ......................................................................................................................................... 108
`Land Use ............................................................................................................................................ 108
`10.2
`Project Impact on Recreation and Land Use Resources .......................................................... 115
`10.3
`Protection, Mitigation, and Enhancement Measures (PM&E) ................................................ 115
`Agency Recommended Mitigation .................................................................................................... 115
`Applicant Proposed Mitigation ......................................................................................................... 115
`Aesthetic Resources ..................................................................................................................... 116
`11.0
`Affected Environment ............................................................................................................. 116
`11.1
`Project Impact on Aesthetic Resources ................................................................................... 118
`11.2
`Protection, Mitigation, And Enhancement Measures (PM&E) ............................................... 118
`11.3
`Agency Recommended Mitigation .................................................................................................... 118
`Applicant Proposed Mitigation ......................................................................................................... 118
`Cultural Resources ....................................................................................................................... 119
`12.0
`Affected Environment ............................................................................................................. 119
`12.1
`Project Impact on Cultural Resources ..................................................................................... 128
`12.2
`Protection, Mitigation, and Enhancement Measures (PM&E) ................................................ 128
`12.3
`Agency Recommended Mitigation .................................................................................................... 128
`Applicant Proposed Mitigation ......................................................................................................... 129
`Socioeconomic Resources ............................................................................................................ 129
`Affected Environment ............................................................................................................. 129
`Project Impact on Socioeconomic Resources .......................................................................... 129
`Protection, Mitigation, and Enhancement Measures (PM&E) ................................................ 129
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`13.0
`13.1
`13.2
`13.3
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`Agency Recommended Mitigation .................................................................................................... 129
`Applicant Proposed Mitigation ......................................................................................................... 129
`Compliance with FERC Recognized Comprehensive Plans .......................................................... 130
`FERC Approved State of New York Comprehensive Plans ....................................................... 130
`FERC Approved Federal Comprehensive Plans ........................................................................ 131
`Literature Cited ............................................................................................................................ 134
`Appendices ................................................................................................................................... 142
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`14.0
`14.1
`14.2
`15.0
`16.0
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`Exhibit E
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`Table of Tables
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`Table 1. Preliminary Project Schedule .......................................................................................................... 9
`Table 6 Battenkill Dams Summary .............................................................................................................. 18
`Table 13. Summary of USDA NRCS Soil Types [68] ..................................................................................... 24
`Table 7. Flow Duration Values by Month 1999‐2020 – Dahowa Hydroelectric Project [76] ...................... 29
`Table 8. Hydroelectric Project Flows ‐ Minimum, Average and Maximum, 1999‐2000 [76]...................... 30
`Table 9. New York Water Quality Standards for Class C, Non‐trout Surface Waters [31], [32] ................. 32
`Table 10. Water Quality Field Measurements Collected in the Lower Battenkill River, 1984‐2012 [51] ... 35
`Table 11. Water Chemistry Samples Collected in the Battenkill River, 2007 [51] ...................................... 35
`Table 12. Water Chemistry Samples Collected in the Battenkill River, 2012 [51] ...................................... 36
`Table 14. NYSDEC Battenkill Historical Fish Survey Results –Dahowa Hydroelectric Project Vicinity [46] 42
`Table 15. Fish Species Reported in Washington County, New York [21] .................................................... 44
`Table 16. Brown Trout Stocked in the Battenkill River by Location, 2013‐2021 [44] ................................. 51
`Table 17. Percent Abundance of Benthic Macroinvertebrate ‐lower Battenkill River Samples [51] ......... 69
`Table 18. Biological Index Values in the Lower Battenkill River, 1984‐2012 [51] ....................................... 75
`Table 19. Description of Water Quality Impact Assessemnts Based on Biological Index Values [33]. ....... 76
`Table 20. New York State Freshwater Mussels and Number of Reaches Detected [81] ............................ 81
`Table 21. Freshwater Mussels Reported in Washington County, New York [20], [21], [47] ...................... 82
`Table 22. Mammals Potentially Present Dahowa Hydroelectric Project Vicinity [21] ................................ 87
`Table 23. Birds Potentially Present – Dahowa Hydroelectric Project Vicinity [21], [47], [60] .................... 89
`Table 24. Amphibians Potentially Present ‐ Dahowa Hydroelectric Project Vicinity [21] .......................... 95
`Table 25. Reptiles Potentially Present ‐ Dahowa Hydroelectric Project Vicinity ........................................ 95
`Table 26. Summary of NWI Mapped Wetland Types Found within Immediate Project Area .................... 98
`Table 27. Description of Healthy Stream Buffer Zones [48] ....................................................................... 99
`Table 28. Riparian Opportunity Assessment Indicator Scores ‐ Catchment 202949766 [58] .................. 100
`Table 29. Summary of Landcover Types ‐ Upper River Basin and Project Vicinity [12] ............................ 113
`Table 30. NYSDHP CRIS Listings – Dahowa Hydroelectric Project Vicinity ................................................ 125
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`Table of Figures
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`Final License Application
`Exhibit E
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`Figure 3. Upper Hudson River Drainage Basin and Watersheds [75] ......................................................... 17
`Figure 4. Battenkill Dams and Purposes [37] .............................................................................................. 18
`Figure 8. United States Physiographic Provinces – Dahowa Hydroelectric Project [16] ............................ 20
`Figure 9. New York State Physiographic Provinces – Dahowa Hydroelectric Project [56] ......................... 21
`Figure 10. USGS Bedrock Map – Dahowa Hydroelectric Project [18] ......................................................... 22
`Figure 11. Surficial Geology – Dahowa Hydroelectric Project [57] ............................................................. 23
`Figure 12. USDA Soils Map – Dahowa Hydroelectric Project ...................................................................... 24
`Figure 5. USGS StreamStats Delineation – Dahowa Hydroelectric Project [77] ......................................... 27
`Figure 6. Flow Duration Curve, 1999‐2020 – Dahowa Hydroelectric Project [76] ..................................... 28
`Figure 7. Lower Battenkill River Water Classifications and Monitoring Station [39], [41] ......................... 34
`Figure 13. Trout Management Categories ‐ Battenkill River Reaches [45] ................................................. 50
`Figure 14. Current Migratory Fish Runs of Diadromous Fish in New York State as Developed by National
`Heritage Program and the Nature Conservancy [81] ................................................................................. 53
`Figure 15. Current Migratory Run of American Eel in New York State as Developed by National Heritage
`Program and the Nature Conservancy [81] ................................................................................................ 54
`Figure 16. Reported Observations of American Eel in New York State as compiled by NYSDEC in 2016 [6]
` .................................................................................................................................................................... 55
`Figure 17. American eel Distribution ‐ United States [13] .......................................................................... 56
`Figure 18. Battenkill and Hudson River Dams Downstream of the Dahowa Hydroelectric Project [37] .... 57
`Figure 19. Ecoregions of the Northeast United States and Eastern Canada [29] ....................................... 86
`Figure 20. Northeast United States Habitats – Dahowa Hydroelectric Project Vicinity [28] ...................... 87
`Figure 21. FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps‐ Dahowa Hydroelectric Project [54], [56] ........................... 96
`Figure 22. USFWS NWI – Dahowa Hydroelectric Project [70] .................................................................... 97
`Figure 23. Shoreline Areas – Dahowa Hydroelectric Project [78] ............................................................. 101
`Figure 24. Slope‐Dahowa Hydroelectric Project ....................................................................................... 102
`Figure 26. NYSDEC Environmental Resources Mapper – Dahowa Hydroelectric Project Vicinity. Green
`Shows State Regulated Wetlands, Orange Shows Areas with Rare Plants or Animals [42] ..................... 107
`Figure 27. Recreation Facilities‐ Dahowa Hydroelectric Project ............................................................... 108
`Figure 28. National Landcover Database Land Use Data – Upper Hudson River Basin [12] ..................... 111
`Figure 29. National Landcover Database Land Use Data ‐ Dahowa Hydroelectric Project Vicinity [12] .. 112
`Figure 30. Greenwich Waterfront Park Concept Plan (Upstream of Project) ........................................... 114
`Figure 31. Greenwich BOA Concept Plan October 31, 2021. (Upstream of Project) [80] ........................ 115
`Figure 32. National Register of Historic Places – Dahowa Hydroelectric Project Vicinity [27] ................. 124
`Figure 33. New York State Cultural Resources – Dahowa Hydroelectric Project Vicinity [59] ................. 125
`Figure 34. Dahowa Hydroelectric Facility Vicinity Residences – Years Built ............................................. 127
`Figure 36. Federally Recognized Tribal Lands of New York State [67] ...................................................... 128
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`Table of Photos
`Photo 1. Upstream Riparian Vegetation and Riffle (immediately upstream of project impoundment) .. 103
`Photo 3. Dahowa Falls Viewed from the Recreation Area Overlook Platform ......................................... 116
`Photo 4. Woodlands and Battenkill River Viewed from the Fishing Area ................................................ 117
`Photo 5. Woodlands Viewed from the Recreation Area [7] ..................................................................... 117
`Photo 2. Historic Photograph of the Former Dionondahowa Trolley Bridge [10] .................................... 123
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`Final License Application
`Exhibit E
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`Appendices
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`Appendix A – Service List
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`Final License Application
`Exhibit E
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`Appendix B – Record of Consultation & Response to Comments
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`Appendix C – USDA Soils Report
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`Appendix D – USGS StreamStats Report
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`Appendix E – Monthly Flow Duration Curves
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`Appendix F – Water Quality Monitoring Report (DRAFT)
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`Appendix G – Fish Assemblage Reports
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`Appendix H – Eel eDNA Survey Report
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`Appendix I – Macroinvertebrate Survey Report
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`Appendix J – Freshwater Mussel Survey Report
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`Appendix K – IPAC Report
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`Appendix L – Draft Downstream Fish Passage and Protection Assessment Report
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`1.0 Consultation and Relicensing Timeline
`GR Catalyst Two, LLC is utilizing the Traditional Licensing Process (TLP). Error! Reference source not
`found. below outlines timeframes consistent with a standard TLP.
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`Stage I
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`Stage II
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`Stage III
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`Table 1. Preliminary Project Schedule
`Activity
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`PAD & NOI
`Joint Agency Meeting
`End Stage I Comment Period
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`Engineering & Environmental
`Studies
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`DLA
`FLA
`FERC NEPA Process
`License Order
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`Estimated Date Range
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`November 30, 2021
`January 15, 2022
`March 15, 2022
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`May 2022 – On‐Going
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`August, 2024
`November 30, 2024
`November 30, 2025
`November 30, 2026
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`2.0 Compliance with or Consultation Under the Following Laws
`A license issued for the Dahowa Hydroelectric Project would be subject to several applicable statutes and
`requirements under the Federal Power Act (FPA). Relevant federal regulations are detailed in in sections
`2.1 through 2.6.
`2.1 Section 401 of the Clean Water Act
`The Dahowa Hydroelectric Project is subject to Water Quality Certification from the New York
`Department of Environmental Conservation (NYDEC) and Section 401(a)(1) of the Federal Clean Water
`Act of 1977. Following submittal of the Pre‐Application Document in 2021, the licensee received
`requests for several studies including a water quality study requested by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
`(USFWS) and NYDEC. A draft of the study plan was provided to agencies for review and comment, a final
`version was developed to incorporate feedback from NYDEC and USFWS. A report detailing the 2023
`study effort is currently in progress. A brief summary of the results is provided In Section 5 (Water
`Resources) of this document. Additional environmental studies were completed, or are on‐going, and
`are detailed in subsequent sections and supporting appendices.
`2.2 Endangered Species Act
`A variety of resources were utilized to evaluate potential Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species
`(RTE) in the project area. The USFWS Information Planning and Conservation System (IPAC) was used to
`evaluate Federally protected species and the NYDEC GIS data was used to review state protected species
`[72].
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`The requested IPAC official species report listed the following species as being potentially present in the
`project area: Northern Long‐eared Bat (Myotis septenrionalis), and Monarch Butterfly (Danaus
`plexippus). The report also states there are no critical habitats within the project area (see appendix K
`for full IPAC report). A Review of the NYDEC GIS data indicated that there are no state listed animals in
`the immediate vicinity of the project area. See Appendix K for more details.
`2.3 Magnuson‐Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
`Based on a review of the National Marine Fisheries Service online database, the licensee has determined
`that there is no Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) or Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPC) identified in
`the Battenkill River.
`2.4 Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA)
`Under section 307(c)(3)(A) of the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), the Commission cannot issue a
`license for a project within or affecting a state's coastal zone unless the state CZMA agency concurs with
`the license applicant's certification of consistency with the state's CZMA program, or the agency's
`concurrence is conclusively presumed by its failure to act within 180 days of its receipt of the applicant's
`certification.
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`The licensee inspected the information available from NOAA’s Coastal Zone Management Office website
`to determine if the project area falls within the bounds of New York’s Coastal Zone Boundary. A NOAA
`document titled State Coastal Zone Boundaries published February 9, 2012 states, “New York's coastal
`zone varies from region to region while incorporating the following conditions: The inland boundary is
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`approximately 1,000 feet from the shoreline of the mainland. In urbanized and developed coastal
`locations the landward boundary is approximately 500 feet from the mainland's shoreline, or less than
`500 feet where a roadway or railroad line runs parallel to the shoreline at a distance of under 500 feet
`and defines the boundary. In locations where major state‐owned lands and facilities or electric power
`generating facilities abut the shoreline, the boundary extends inland to include them. In some areas,
`such as Long Island Sound and the Hudson River Valley, the boundary may extend inland up to 10,000
`feet to encompass significant coastal resources, such as areas of exceptional scenic value, agricultural or
`recreational lands, and major tributaries and headlands.” The Battenkill River enters the Hudson River
`greater than 30 miles upstream of the head of tide (located in Albany).
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`Final License Application
`Exhibit E
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`The Project is located outside of the Coastal Zone Area (CZA), see figure below. As a result, the licensee
`concluded that the project area does not fall within the CZA of the State of New York.
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`Figure 1. Project Location (red pin) in relation to New York Coastal Zone Area Map; the Project is outside of the
`Coastal Zone Area and not subject to review.
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`Guidance provided by the New York Department of State – Office of Coastal Zone Management
`regarding the applicability of federal consistency review requirements states:
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`If a proposed project would not be in the Coastal Area, no federal consistency review is
`required unless the proposed project is likely to affect the uses and resources of the Coastal Area.
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`There are no migratory species present in the Project area and the Project is operated in run‐of‐river
`mode, with no impact to downstream flows, as such there are no likely effects on the uses or resources
`of the CZA. Therefore, pursuant to the guidance provided by the NY Coastal Zone Management office
`regarding applicability of CZMA, consistency review is not applicable to the Dahowa Project.
`2.5 National Historic Preservation Act Section 106
`Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) requires that every federal agency consider
`that an undertaking could affect historic properties and to consult with the Advisory Council on Historic
`Preservation (ACHP) regarding such undertakings. Historic properties are defined as districts, sites,
`buildings, structures, traditional cultural properties, and objects significant in American history,
`architecture, engineering, and culture that are eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic
`Places (National Register).
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`Due to previous ground disturbing activities associated with the dam and hydropower Project, it is not
`anticipated that there will be any Project‐related effects on cultural or historic resources. The Applicant
`will continue consultations with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO, CRIS Submission Token:
`7FCV3PWU29U1) and tribal nations to ensure that any project related impacts are avoided and/or
`minimized. By continuing the operation of the hydroelectric facilities, the Dahowa Project is preserving
`the foundation of the previous industrial use of the waterway.
`2.6 Wild and Scenic Rivers Act
`Sec(cid:415)on 7(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act requires federal agencies to determine whether the
`opera(cid:415)on of a project would affect the scenic, recrea(cid:415)onal, and/or fish and wildlife values present in a
`designated or study river corridor. The Ba(cid:425)enkill River is not designated as a Na(cid:415)onal Wild and Scenic
`Rivers System.
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