Hollis Select Board Transparency Archive

From: Paye, Laura <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, June 4, 2026 2:34 PM To: Seyfried, Jason <[email protected]>; Dockens, Patrick E <[email protected]>; [email protected]; Spiller, Kimberly J <[email protected]>; [email protected]; [email protected]; Rideout, Megan M <[email protected]>; Pellerin, James <[email protected]>; Clark, Casey <[email protected]>; [email protected] Cc: Nadeau, Ryan <[email protected]>; Heidrich, David <[email protected]>; Pocquette, Kayla <[email protected]>; Scarzello, Michael <[email protected]>; LeBlanc, Matt <[email protected]>; Dorman, Randy <[email protected]>; Doiron, Isaac <[email protected]>; Gallant, Zachary <[email protected]>; Clere, Jason <[email protected]>; Murphy,Kyle <[email protected]>; matthew.leblanc <[email protected]>; Andy Qua <[email protected]>; Kevin Cooley <[email protected]>; Bruce DiGennaro <[email protected]> Subject: RE: To Agencies & Stakeholders | Bar Mills Project (FERC No. 2194-ME) Temporary Headpond Variance Request Consultation

Hi Jay,

Thank you for the outreach. Based on your letter, removal of the flashboards may or may not be permanent based on timing for decommissioning activities. How will BWPH proceed if dam removal is delayed until after summer 2027?

Under Department Rule Chapter 450 this activity is in a gray area of requiring an MWDCA permit. Section 4(B) & 4(C) of the rule are below showing this:

Activities Requiring a Permit. The following types of activities are subject to the requirement for a permit:

(1) the construction of a new hydropower project, including a new water storage dam, or a new hydroelectric generating facility of any kind, whether utilizing a dam, a natural water feature, natural current velocities, or tidal action;

(2) the reconstruction of a hydropower project;

(3) any dredging or filling below the normal high water line of a water body to facilitate maintenance and repair of an existing and operating hydropower project; and

(4) the structural alteration of a hydropower project in a way that changes water levels or flows above or below the dam, including, but not limited to:

(a) the addition or alteration of flashboards; and

(b) the installation of additional or enlarged turbines.

Activities Not Requiring a Permit. The following types of normal maintenance and repair activities at existing and operating hydropower projects are exempt from the requirement for a permit, provided that the activity does not diminish water quality below applicable standards:

(1) the resurfacing or repair of dams, canals, powerhouses, retaining walls, or other structures where no earthen cofferdam, dredging, filling, or permanent water level alteration is involved;

(2) the repair, removal or replacement of flashboards, stop logs, gates, or intake racks where no earthen cofferdam, dredging, filling, or permanent water level alteration is involved;

The Department agrees that removal of the flashboards and a gradual drawdown will reduce stress on aquatic life and help revegetation and stabilization of banks considering the proposed decommissioning. Could you describe in further detail the timing by which flashboards will be removed, or any projections on the amount the headpond will drop per day based on the planned timing? In maintenance and repair permits, the Department typically prefers that headponds be lowered a maximum of 1 foot per day to prevent sedimentation.

I am happy to discuss these questions in a meeting or phone call if you would prefer,

Thank you,

Laura

Laura Paye (she/her)

Hydropower Coordinator

Bureau of Land Resources

Maine Department of Environmental Protection

(207) 219-9563

From: Seyfried, Jason <[email protected] > Sent: Wednesday, May 13, 2026 9:55 AM To: Dockens, Patrick E <[email protected] >; [email protected]; Spiller, Kimberly J <[email protected] >; [email protected]; [email protected]; Rideout, Megan M <[email protected] >; Paye, Laura <[email protected] >; Pellerin, James <[email protected] >; Clark, Casey <[email protected] >; [email protected] Cc: Nadeau, Ryan <[email protected] >; Heidrich, David <[email protected] >; Pocquette, Kayla <[email protected] >; Scarzello, Michael <[email protected] >; LeBlanc, Matt <[email protected] >; Dorman, Randy <[email protected] >; Doiron, Isaac <[email protected] >; Gallant, Zachary <[email protected] >; Clere, Jason <[email protected] >; Murphy,Kyle <[email protected] >; matthew.leblanc <[email protected] >; Andy Qua <[email protected] >; Kevin Cooley <[email protected] >; Bruce DiGennaro <[email protected] > Subject: To Agencies & Stakeholders | Bar Mills Project (FERC No. 2194-ME) Temporary Headpond Variance Request Consultation

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Good morning,

Brookfield White Pine Hydro LLC (BWPH), owner and operator of the Bar Mills Project, respectfully requests your concurrence on a temporary headpond variance to lower the 6.75‑foot‑high spillway hinged flashboards to crest effective October 1, 2026, following the conclusion of the 2026 recreation season. BWPH proposes to maintain this condition through the summer of 2027 or until decommissioning removal activities commence. Following agency consultation and stakeholder outreach, BWPH will seek a temporary variance from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to implement this operational change as the decommissioning and surrender process advances.

Please see the attached letter and provide any questions or concerns by June 13th.

Thank you,

Jay Seyfried

Senior Compliance Specialist | NEROC Compliance

T 207.755.5615

C 207.312.8323 [email protected]%0b [email protected]

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