Bulls Bridge (CT) Access Restored

Access to the Bulls Bridge section of the Housatonic River has been restored in Connecticut in response to American Whitewater's complaint to FERC about the closure. FirstLight, the licensee for the Bulls Bridge hydropower project, restored access after AW filed a formal complaint that the closure violated the project license. The areas had been closed by FirstLight in May at the request of local communities due to COVID-19 and overcrowding concerns. In our complaint, we alleged that the closure violated requirements in FirstLight's Recreation Management Plan and Shoreline Management Plan. In addition, the complaint addressed the disparate impact of FirstLight's recreation access closures on minority populations residing in neighboring communities. FirstLight has agreed to consult with AW in the event that future recreation access closures are contemplated.