FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Normandeau Completes Second Year of Environmental Studies in Support of a New Hydropower Project Application by Massena Electric Department (NY)

Bedford, New Hampshire.  September 2008 – The Town of Massena Electric Department has proposed a 2.5 MW Massena Grasse River Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project.  The Town of Massena has had a dam on the Grasse River since approximately 1792 upon its original construction in concert with the town's mill. The last major renovation of this dam was completed in 1913. Damage from floating debris during a spring thaw in 1996 resulted in a partial breach of the dam and loss of the head pond. Following the breach of the Grasse River Dam, the Town of Massena, the Village of Massena, and the Town of Louisville joined together to form a Joint Resolution calling for the restoration of the dam for power production. 

The project license application required is being sought under FERC’s Integrated License Process (ILP). In support of the Massena Hydropower Project Application, Normandeau Associates has completed a second year of environmental studies which have included:

     -  radio-telemetry of adult and juvenile lake sturgeon
        (New York State listed species),

     -  egg trapping study of lake sturgeon to search for
        spawning sites,

     -  continuous water quality monitoring for temperature
        and dissolved oxygen,

     -  detailed habitat assessment studies,

     -  survey for Eastern sand darter (New York State
        listed fish species),

     -  freshwater mussel survey,

     -  benthic macroinvertebrates study,

     -  general fisheries community survey and,

     -  general relicensing strategy and technical support.

About Normandeau Associates, Inc.
Normandeau Associates, Inc., in business for over 35 years, is an employee-owned company known throughout the U.S. for its technical excellence and outstanding client service. The company specializes in natural resource management, water quality monitoring and modeling, habitat restoration, environmental monitoring, and offers considerable project experience in these areas. The Normandeau team has extensive expertise in the biological, chemical and physical sciences and related areas such as environmental planning.

Normandeau Associates was founded in 1970 as a privately owned company. In July 2000, the company became employee-owned. Company management believes that employee ownership will further enhance technical excellence and ability to solve client environmental problems effectively and efficiently. Our professional team works closely with clients, regulators and the public to seek solutions that enhance economic development, meet regulatory requirements, and protect and restore our natural resources and water quality. For more information about Normandeau Associates, Inc. visit our website at www.normandeau.com.

Normandeau Associates Media Contact
Elizabeth Evarts
Marketing
603.472.5191 Ext 115
bevarts@normandeau.com