GREENFIELD — State and local officials joined members of the public in expressing concern for river quality and habitat for wildlife, among other considerations, during a hearing Wednesday on a draft decision approving a water quality certification for FirstLight Hydro Generating Co.

The hour-and-a-half public hearing at Greenfield Community College’s Cohn Family Dining Commons was attended by roughly 100 participants in person and on Zoom. Attendees were given three minutes to speak, and they largely used the time to critique the state Department of Environmental Protection and its issuance of the draft water quality certification.

The 117-page draft decision, released Jan. 24, states that MassDEP grants certification for both the Turners Falls Hydroelectric Project and the Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Project, with conditions such as increasing water flow. The decision marked the latest required step in FirstLight’s relicensing process through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

Prior to the public hearing at 6 p.m., a standout was held outside the building, with people holding signs and banners urging MassDEP to deny the certification, and for FirstLight’s facilities be shut down.

Overall themes 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. These concerns were shared with the three MassDEP officials present in person and on Zoom.

Both state Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, and Rep. Natalie Blais, D-Deerfield, were in attendance. Comerford said the opportunities for public input that MassDEP has offered throughout the process have been good, but that her constituents remain concerned over harm done to the Connecticut River by FirstLight’s operations.

“What is not good, friends, is that we are hearing significant concerns from advocates and experts in western Massachusetts and throughout the region that MassDEP has not gone far enough to ensure that FirstLight’s operations do not harm the Connecticut River,” Comerford said.

Part of Comerford’s request included more robust public involvement, including a stipulation in the water quality certification that allows for local input and oversight on erosion mitigation from local conservation commissions, the Franklin Regional Council of Government (FRCOG) and Indigenous stakeholders.

FRCOG Land Use & Natural Resources Program Manager Kimberly MacPhee made a similar request.

“MassDEP should allow public access to required plans and reports, and recognize the input of members of the public and [FRCOG’s] Connecticut River Stream Bank Erosion Committee,” she said. “Most of the progress on bank stabilization and protection has happened because of the people who live and work along the river and have long been involved in observing the operations of the Northfield pump storage project.”

Other speakers included representatives from the Connecticut River Defenders, American Rivers and Connecticut River Conservancy advocacy organizations, all of whom spoke to the concern that the proposed conditions in the draft will not meet water quality standards for certification, and that continued operation of the facilities will be detrimental to the river.

A statement from FirstLight Communications Manager Claire Belanger following Wednesday’s hearing said the company is grateful for the opportunity for further public input, adding, “FirstLight believes with the [draft water quality certification] put forth by MassDEP, the projects satisfy Massachusetts Surface Water Quality Standards, supporting a healthy Connecticut River and enabling the continued operations of FirstLight’s Northfield Mountain and Turners Falls projects and their contribution to the commonwealth’s clean energy future.”

A water quality certification from MassDEP is required as part of FirstLight’s relicensing process through FERC for its Connecticut River hydroelectric facilities. FirstLight has operated the Turners Falls dams and Northfield hydro-pump facility under a temporary license since 2018 and is seeking a 50-year license renewal.

The public comment period is still open, allowing for feedback until Feb. 24. A final decision to issue, deny or waive a certification will be due by April 22. For more information about MassDEP’s water quality certification and to view the full draft decision, visit mass.gov/info-details/401-wqc-for-the-firstlight-hydroelectric-re-licensing-project.

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