Hollis Select Board Transparency Archive

008e01dcf6d85ed5f0001c81d000

Bar Mills headpond variance

From

• Mark Woodruff <[email protected]>

To

• David Field <[email protected]>
• Heath Knight <[email protected]>
• Dan Yarumian <[email protected]>

Cc

• Cindy Fanning <[email protected]>
• Jamie Marshall <[email protected]>
• jim boutin <[email protected]>
• Paul Mattor <[email protected]>
• Renee Lewis <[email protected]>
• Terry Walters <[email protected]>
• Donna Marie Buckley <[email protected]>

Date

Sun, Jun 7, 2026 · 7:50 p.m. ET

• 2026 0608_Headpond Variance Flashboard Removal-comments_BHSB.docxOpen original

  Read from the file

  Sent via email June 10, 2026 Mr. Jay Seyfried Senior Compliance Specialist Brookfield Renewable 150 Main Street, Lewiston, Maine, 04240 Subject: Response to May 13, 2026, Temporary Headpond Variance Request for Spillway Flashboard Removal Bar Mills Project (FERC No. 2194)

  Dear Mr. Seyfried: The Buxton and Hollis Select Boards appreciate the opportunity to review Brookfield White Pine Hydro LLC’s (BWPH) May 13, 2026, correspondence regarding the proposed temporary headpond variance request and spillway flashboard removal associated with the Bar Mills Project (FERC No. 2194). In general, the Select Boards concur with the rationale to lower the headpond elevation for the environmental and safety reasons discussed in the May 13, 2026, correspondence. However, after comparing the proposed headpond variance alongside the August 2025 Wetland, Botanical, and Shoreline Erosion Study – Bar Mills Project FERC No. P-2194 (Study) prepared by Kleinschmidt Associates, we have the following concerns. The proposal to remove the flashboards October 1, 2026, needs to align with the results of the Study. The Select Boards recommend removing the spillway flashboards in late spring to early summer of 2027. The Study determined that approximately 70% of the shoreline in the Bar Mills study area had a high Bank Erosion Hazard Index. Almost 2% of the shoreline had a very high rating. Removing the flashboards October 1 would leave the sandy riverbanks vulnerable to erosion from spring runoff or heavy rainfall for 7 to 8 months before the 2027 growing season. This timing concern is especially important because the Study noted that the vegetation re-growth on the riverbanks: is known to occur very rapidly if a drawdown occurs during the growing season, given the presence of seed banks in the sediment, water available in the riverbank, and sunlight during the growing season. The Select Boards also recommend, consistent with the Study, BWPH use the headpond variance to begin monitoring the shoreline for “invasive botanical infestations while they are still relatively easy to treat and manage.” The Study identified reed canary grass and Japanese knotweed as the two invasive plant species most likely to take hold in some portions of the exposed shoreline. The Select Boards welcome continued coordination as the headpond variance request is considered and permit applications and design plans for the decommissioning are developed over the coming months. Sincerely,

  David Field, Chairman Michael Harnois, Chair Buxton Board of Selectmen Hollis Select Board

  cc Laura Paye - Maine DEP Jim Pellerin - Maine DIFW Lars Hammer and Casey Clark - Maine DMR Cherrie Dunnig - Saco River Corridor Commission Diane Shannon - FERC FERC Online