TURNERS FALLS — While opponents continue to assert the “overwhelming negative environmental impact” of FirstLight Hydro Generating Co.’s facilities, the state Department of Environmental Protection argues the conditions set through its water quality certification offer “more protections for the Connecticut River than ever before.”

The 131-page certification, issued Tuesday, marks the latest step in the process for FirstLight to obtain a 50-year license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for its Connecticut River hydroelectric facilities. FirstLight has been operating the Turners Falls dams and the Northfield hydro-pump facility under a temporary license since 2018.

“The final water quality certification provides more protections for the Connecticut River than ever before,” MassDEP Director of Communications Lauren Moreschi wrote in an email. “MassDEP worked closely with neighbors, advocates and stakeholders as part of the certification process. Their input, along with scientific data, modeling and public comments, were critical in creating strong water quality protections included in this certification.”

A draft certification, issued in January, was followed by a public comment period that ended Feb. 24, and a MassDEP public hearing on Feb. 19 allowed residents to offer thoughts on the draft. Much of the commentary condemned the draft certification by MassDEP for the FirstLight facilities.

Issues raised at the hearing included concern for river quality and habitat for wildlife, such as the shortnose sturgeon; lack of Indigenous land acknowledgments and voices in the draft decision; and lack of allowance for local input on monitoring FirstLight activity.

The certification from MassDEP contains 34 special conditions that FirstLight must follow. These conditions cover water levels, fish passage, erosion mitigation, wildlife protection and operational transparency with the public, among others.

“FirstLight appreciates the commitment of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) in facilitating a comprehensive 401 Water Quality Certification (401 WQC) process for FirstLight’s Northfield Mountain and Turners Falls projects with ample public input and participation,” FirstLight Communication Manager Claire Belanger wrote in an email. “FirstLight is reviewing the final 401 WQC and can offer more detailed comments once that review is complete.”

Moreschi explained some of the key conditions of the certification, including a requirement that FirstLight post notices, reports and final plans online detailing erosion monitoring and stabilization, water quality monitoring, invasive plant species management, the annual drawdown of the power canal, riparian management plans and aquatic organism protection.

The certification also requires sediment management plans and states FirstLight must keep water levels between 178.5 and 177.5 feet, with some exceptions.

FirstLight must also notify the Franklin Regional Council of Governments; the Connecticut River Conservancy; the towns of Northfield, Montague, Erving and Gill; the Nolumbeka Project; and the Chaubunagungamaug Band of Nipmuck Indians about any significant developments and allow for a 60-day comment period.

Also required by the certification is an increased habitat and existing spawning area below the Turners Falls dam, including a spawning area for shortnose sturgeon. The document details that a barrier net must be designed at the Northfield Mountain intake project to protect migrating fish, including shortnose sturgeon.

For FirstLight, this certification from MassDEP means the company heads to the federal stage of the licensure process. In the realm of hydroelectric facilities, FERC jurisdiction includes the ability to relicense hydroelectric operations, which FirstLight has been in the process of doing since December 2020, when it filed an amended license application with FERC.

Despite changes within FERC, including the resignation of Commissioner Willie Phillips and an April 9 executive order impacting the regulatory provisions it has used, Belanger said FirstLight anticipates no delay in the implementation of the new license.

Despite the assertions by MassDEP in the water quality certification that explain how the conditions will benefit the river and wildlife, a statement from the Connecticut River Defenders advocacy group shares concerns over the impact on the river.

“The Connecticut River Defenders and others believe that Northfield Mountain should be shut down immediately,” the statement reads. “The overwhelming negative environmental impact on the river, its life forms, Indigenous peoples and all those who care about the Earth’s survival far outweigh the gains.”

In response to MassDEP’s decision to issue the water quality certification, the Connecticut River Defenders will hold a protest at Unity Park in Turners Falls on Friday, April 25, at 6:30 p.m. Special guest Liz Coldwind Santana Kiser, tribal historical preservation officer for the Chaubunagungamaug Band of Nipmuck Indians, will be in attendance. The event will also feature Indigenous drumming.

“No matter what the DEP has decided,” Miriam Kurland, a Goshen resident and Connecticut River Defenders member, said in a statement, “we will continue to work to protect and defend the rights of the Connecticut River.”

Erin-Leigh Hoffman can be reached at ehoffman@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.