FERC awards new permit for controversial hydro project in Petersburg

Swan Lake, Thomas Bay
Swan Lake, Thomas Bay (KFSK file photo)

Another company out of Washington just won permission to study the potential development of a new hydro-electric plant at a mountain-top lake within the Petersburg Borough. The federal government has awarded a preliminary permit for the Cascade Creek Project to Hydro Development LLC. The company’s plan is almost exactly the same as that of a previous permit holder which had earlier lost its bid to continue working on the controversial project.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued the Permit to Hydro Development LLC on August 29th. It allows the company three years to study the potential for a power plant at Swan Lake and Cascade Creek at Thomas Bay on the mainland, about 15 miles northeast of downtown Petersburg. It also puts the company first in line to submit a license application to build the project.

Swan Lake is a popular hunting, fishing, and tourism destination on the Tongass National Forest within the Petersburg Borough. The original proposal from Cascade Creek prompted extensive objections from many residents and local government as well as state and federal resource Managers who raised procedural, technical and environmental concerns.

Read the full story at KFSK: FERC awards new permit for controversial project

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