No Clarification On Bridge From Recent FERCLetter

HAILESBORO - A recent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission letter sent to St. Lawrence County doesn't make it any more clear whether relicensing of Hampshire Paper Co.'s Emeryville power project should include repair of a bridge neither the company nor the county want to claim..

In January, the county Legislature requested a determination from FERC on whether the bridge - which crosses over the intake section of the Emeryville hydroelectric project on the Oswegatchie River in the town of Fowler - is considered a project facility.

After review of the license, the project's exhibit drawings, and other documents, FERC determined there was no evidence that the bridge was included.

"However, given that the project is undergoing relicensing, the issue of whether or not the bridge should be included as a project facility in any future license will be addressed when the relicense application is reviewed by the commission," Vince Yearick, a FERC administrator, wrote Legislative Chairman Gregory M. Paquin Thursday.

Jon R. Montan, a county planner involved with the relicensing, said he found FERC's response vague, but declined to comment further on the bridge.

"This is a subject of internal discussion," Mr. Montan said. "We have to decide what happens next."

Hampshire has previously told FERC it believes ownership of the bridge should be considered apart from the relicensing.

The bridge, a single lane structure with a 42-foot wood deck, is near a longer bridge that the county claims as its own. The shorter bridge at County Route 22 and Emeryville Road wasn't included when the county took over bridges longer than 20 feet.

The bridge whose ownership is in dispute is in poor condition but is still open to traffic. Its last inspection by the state Department of Transportation rated it around a 3.

"Generally speaking, when it goes below that, it's closed," county Highway Superintendent William E. Dashnaw said. "I believe its condition is deteoriating, at best."

The town agrees with the county that the paper company should be responsible for maintenance.

"As far as we're concerned, yes, until somebody proves otherwise," Supervisor William H. Lutz said.

Hampshire Paper is expected to formally file later this year for renewal of its license, which expires in 2012.