Upper Connecticut River Mitigation and Enhancement Fund

Total Fund Amount: Expected to provide approximately $21 million over a 20-year period

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

Focus Areas:

• Water quality improvement
• Habitat restoration
• Open space conservation
• Wetlands and shore lands protection within the upper Connecticut River watershed

Background:
The fund was created as part of the settlement agreement between parties involved in the federal process to award a new operating license for three hydroelectric dams on the Connecticut River at Fifteen Mile Falls near Littleton, NH and Ryegate, VT. The settlement agreement was signed in 1997, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a new license in April 2002. Dam owner/operator TransCanada Hydro Northeast contributes a portion of annual profits from dam operations to the fund.

Administration:
A 12-person advisory committee made up of representatives from environmental organizations, state and federal agencies, local community groups, and TransCanada Hydro Northeast recommends grants.

Grant Distribution History:

• Since 2003, the fund has distributed $12.5 million
• This is the 13th round of grants
• The fund will continue until spent down

Contact:

• Kevin Peterson
• Phone: 603-653-0387 ext. 21270
• Email: xriva.crgrefba@aups.bet (note: this email appears corrupted in source material)
• New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
• 37 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301-4005
• Phone: 603-225-6641 or 800-464-6641

Application Process

Application Guidelines: Updated grant application guidelines posted at www.nhcf.org/mef

Deadline: Next application deadline announced later in year on website

Note: Specific application procedures and detailed requirements should be obtained from the foundation website or by contacting the program officer.