Upper Connecticut River Mitigation and Enhancement Fund

A substantial fund providing grants to support restoration, protection, and enhancement of the upper Connecticut River watershed.

Geographic Scope: Upper Connecticut River watershed upstream of White River Junction, VT; New Hampshire and Vermont

Focus Areas:

• Water quality improvement
• Habitat restoration
• Conservation of open space and riparian lands
• Dam removal and river restoration projects
• Wetlands and shoreland protection

Funding Structure: Expected to provide approximately $21 million over a 20-year period. As of the 2015 grant round, the fund had distributed $12.5 million since 2003.

Fund Origin: Created as part of settlement agreement between parties involved in the federal licensing process for three hydroelectric dams on the Connecticut River at Fifteen Mile Falls (near Littleton, NH) and Ryegate, VT. Settlement agreement signed in 1997. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued new license for dams in April 2002. Dam owner/operator TransCanada Hydro Northeast contributes annual profits from dam operations to the fund.

Advisory Committee: 12-person advisory committee with representatives from:

• Environmental organizations
• State and federal agencies
• Local community groups
• TransCanada Hydro Northeast

Committee recommends grants from the fund.

Priority Areas: Listed on website at www.nhcf.org/mef

Program History: 13th round of grants as of 2015. Fund will continue awarding grants until spent down.

Application Process

Next Deadline: Application deadline information to be posted at www.nhcf.org/mef with updated grant application guidelines

Application Website: www.nhcf.org/mef includes priority areas promoted by the fund

Contact for Information: Kevin Peterson, 603-653-0387 ext. 21270