On April 28, 2026, Maine Rivers, on behalf of R.J. Fortier Hydropower, Inc. (exemptee), filed an application to surrender the project exemption for the Starks Project No. 8791. The project is located on Lemon Stream in Somerset County, Maine. The project does not occupy any federal lands.

The project has not operated for 20 years and the exemptee no longer wishes to retain the exemption. To decommission the project, which is located within designated critical habitat for Atlantic salmon, the exemptee proposes to remove the dam, powerhouse, and appurtenant project features. On June 3, 2026, Commission staff issued a public notice for the proposed surrender, accepted the application for filing, and solicited comments, motions to intervene, and protests.

This notice identifies Commission staff's intention to prepare an environmental assessment (EA) under the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq) for the project.^[1] Commission staff plans to issue an EA by November 30, 2026. Revisions to the schedule may be made as appropriate. The EA will be issued for a 30-day comment period. All comments filed on the EA will be reviewed by staff and considered in the Commission's final decision on the proceeding.

For public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, contact the Office of Public Participation at (202)502-6595 or OPP@ferc.gov.

Any questions regarding this notice may be directed to Diana Shannon at 202-502-6134 or diana.shannon@ferc.gov.

(Authority: 18 CFR 2.1)