Updated: Public Meeting on Hydroelectric Dam Redevelopment Set for Tonight

Update: Residents interested in submitting comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regarding Andy Peklo's proposal to redevelop an existing hydroelectric dam at Peklo's home and place of business may send statements via the eComment system.

Documents may be mailed to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, D.C. 20426. The commission requests the original document and seven copies be sent to the above address.

Original article:

Approximately 40 people attended a site visit at Andy Peklo's house earlier today - Wednesday, Jan. 18 - as part of the the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's environmental analysis of Peklo's proposal to redevelop an existing hydroelectric dam at Peklo's home and place of business, located at .

The home is next to the Pomperaug River.

Two representatives from FERC were in attendance to observe the property and answer questions from the residents. It is anticipated the FERC representatives will be at the public meeting, taking place from 6 to 9 p.m. tonight at the .

Residents will have 30 days after tonight to submit comments to FERC.

The full text of Peklo's hydroelectric dam proposal before FERC contains the following project description:

"The Pomperaug Hydro Project would consist of: (1) the existing 90-foot-long, 15-foot-high Pomperaug River dam equipped with three existing gates; (2) an existing 0.1-acre impoundment with a normal water surface elevation of 226 feet above mean sea level; (3) an existing 40-foot-long, 42- to 50-inch-diameter penstock; and (4) an existing powerhouse integral to the dam, containing one new 76-kilowatt turbine generating unit. Project power would be transmitted through a new 24-foot-long, 208-volt underground transmission line. The proposed project is estimated to generate an average of 300,000 kilowatt-hours annually."

One of the concerns noted by residents is how, under Peklo's proposal, the water will be diverted between 45 and 50 percent of the time. That means the water that goes over the falls will not do so between 50 and 55 percent of the time, according to the proposal.

Other concerns are the impact to real estate values and whether fly fishermen will be able to fish in the river near Peklo's house. Peklo told Patch he is open to negotiations with regard to fly fishing.

Another concern noted by residents is whether the height of the dam will be raised. Peklo said he is not raising the height of the dam.

Bob Easton from FERC said the proposal from Peklo does not mention raising the height of the dam. Peklo said that per his deed, he can raise the dam by four feet, but said he would not do that.

Easton listened to the concerns of residents but said that until those matters come before the commission, FERC does not need to be concerned with those matters.

"The important thing is to take a look at the site, let Steve and I look at what we're looking at and tonight, we'll talk about the issues," he said. "The reality of it is, we've got an application before us and the notice doesn't say anything about modifying the dam."

Correction: The meeting that took place on Wednesday, Jan. 18, was an informational meeting.