The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed surrender of the Kayuta Lake Project (No. 5000) on the Black River near Boonville, Oneida County, New York. Applicant Ampersand Kayuta Lake Hydro LLC filed the surrender application on December 17, 2024, after concluding that future licensing conditions would make continued operation uneconomic. The proposed surrender would transfer the dam back to the New York State Canal Corporation, remove all generating equipment, and retain recreation facilities. FERC staff plans to issue the EA by December 10, 2025, followed by a 30-day public comment period.12