[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 57 (Friday, March 22, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11824-11827]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-6966]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Project Nos. P-2660, et al.]


Hydroelectric Applications [Georgia-Pacific Corporation, et al.]; 
Notice of Applications

    Take notice that the following hydroelectric applications have been 
filed with the Commission and are available for public inspection:

    1 a. Type of filing: Notice of Intent to File an Application for a 
New License.
    b. Project No.: 2660.
    c. Date filed: August 21, 1995.
    d. Submitted By: Georgia-Pacific Corporation, current licensee.
    e. Name of Project: Forest City.
    f. Location: On Forest City Stream, East Branch of the St. Croix 
River, in Aroostook and Washington Counties, Maine.
    g. Filed Pursuant to: 18 CFR 16.6 of the Commission's regulations.
    h. Effective date of original license: April 1, 1962.
    i. Expiration date of original license: August 31, 2000.
    j. The licensed project consists of: (1) the United States portion 
of a 500-foot-long dam having a 110-foot-long western embankment 
section, a 45-foot-long timber-crib spillway section containing two 
hand-operated wooden 8.3-foot-wide, 10-foot-high gates, and the western 
half of a 7-foot-wide center pier section; (2) the United States 
portion of a reservoir having a 17,040 acre surface area at normal pool 
elevation 434.94 feet m.s.l.; and (3) appurtenant facilities.
    The unlicensed project works consist of: (1) the Canadian portion 
of a 500-foot-long dam having a 324-foot-long eastern embankment 
section, a pool and weir type fishway section containing six 6.5-foot-
wide, 4.0-foot-deep pools, a hand-operated 8.3-foot-wide, 10.0-foot-
high wooden gate, and the eastern half of a 7-foot-wide center pier 
section; and (2) the Canadian portion of a reservoir having a 17,040 
acre surface area at normal pool elevation 434.94 feet m.s.l.
    The project has no installed generating capacity.
    k. Pursuant to 18 CFR 16.7, information on the project is available 
at: Woodland Mill, Main Street, Woodland, Maine 04694, (207) 427-3311.
    l. FERC contact: Charles T. Raabe (202) 219-2811.
    m. Pursuant to 18 CFR 16.11 and 16.19 each application for a new or 
subsequent license and any competing license applications must be filed 
with the Commission at least 24 months prior to the expiration of the 
existing license. All applications for license for this project must be 
filed by August 31, 1998.

    2 a. Type of Application: Preliminary Permit.
    b. Project No.: 11490-000.
    c. Date Filed: July 11, 1994.
    d. Applicant: Fall Line Hydro Company, Inc.
    e. Name of Project: Augusta Canal Water Power Project.
    f. Location: On the Savannah River, Richmond County, Georgia.
    g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. Secs. 791(a)-
825(r).
    h. Applicant Contact: Mr. Robert A. Davis III, Fall Line Hydro 
Company, Inc., P.O. Box 957265, Duluth, GA 30136, (404) 938-7769.
    i. FERC Contact: Michael Dees (202) 219-2807.
    j. Comment Date: May 17, 1996.
    k. Description of Project: The proposed project would consist of: 
(1) an existing stone masonry dam approximately 1,600 feet long; (2) an 
existing 119-acre reservoir with a normal maximum surface elevation of 
155 feet msl; (3) an existing section of the Augusta Canal; (4) a 
proposed intake structure; (5) a proposed powerhouse containing four 
3.0 MW hydropower units; (6) a proposed tailrace structure 
approximately 150 feet long; (7) a proposed transmission line 1,600 
feet long; and (8) appurtenant facilities. The applicant estimates that 
the annual energy generation would be 65,000 Mwh and that the cost of 
the studies to be performed under the permit would be $25,000. Project 
energy would be sold to Oglethorpe Power Corporation or another 
utility. The dam and canal are owned by the City of Augusta, GA.
    l. This notice also consists of the following standard paragraphs: 
A5, A7, A9, A10, B, C, and D2.

    3 a. Type of filing: Notice of Intent to File An Application for a 
New License.
    b. Project No.: 3030.
    c. Date filed: February 27, 1996.
    d. Submitted By: Antrim County, Michigan, current licensee.
    e. Name of Project: Elk Rapids.
    f. Location: On the Elk River, in the Village of Elk Rapids, Antrim 
County, MI.
    g. Filed Pursuant to: 18 CFR 16.6(b) of the Commission's 
regulations.
    h. Effective date of original license: February 28, 1981.
    i. Expiration date of original license: February 27, 2001.
    j. The project consists of: (1) a forebay; (2) an 87-foot-long, 
23.5-foot-high concrete and brick powerhouse and integral dam structure 
containing two 350-kW generating units for a total installed capacity 
of 700-kW; (3) a concrete spillway having stoplog control located on 
the Elk River about 450 feet southwest of the powerhouse; (4) a 
reservoir having a 34,000 acre surface area and a 75,000 acre-foot 
storage capacity at normal summer pool elevation 588.26 feet IGLD; (5) 
a tailrace to Grand Traverse Bay; (6) a 50-foot-long, 4,160-volt 
underground transmission line; and (7) appurtenant facilities.
    k. Pursuant to 18 CFR 16.7, information on the project is available 
at: Antrim County Board of Commissioners, P.O. Box 520, Bellaire, MI 
49615, (616) 533-6265.
    l. FERC contact: Charles T. Raabe (202) 219-2811.
    m. Pursuant to 18 CFR 16.19 and 16.20, each application for a new 
or subsequent license and any competing license applications must be 
filed with the Commission at least 24 months prior to the expiration of 
the existing license. All applications for license for this project 
must be filed by February 27, 1999.

    4 a. Type of Application: New Major License.
    b. Project No.: 2616-004.
    c. Date Filed: December 18, 1991.
    d. Applicant: Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation.
    e. Name of Project: Hoosic River Hydroelectric Project.
    f. Location: Hoosic River, Rensselaer and Washington counties, New 
York.
    g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 791(a)-825(r).
    h. Applicant Contact: Mr. Jerry Sabattis, Hydro Licensing 
Coordinator, Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, 300 Erie Boulevard West, 
Syracuse, NY 13202, (315) 474-1511.
    i. FERC Contact: Edward R. Meyer (202) 208-7998.
    j. Deadline Date: The Director, Office of Hydropower Licensing, is 
waiving that part of section 4.34(b) of the

[[Page 11825]]
regulations (see Order No. 533 issued May 8 1991, 56 FR 23108 (May 20, 
1991)), that sets the deadlines. Therefore, all comments, 
recommendations, terms and conditions, and prescriptions concerning 
this application must be filed with the Commission by May 24, 1996. All 
reply comments must be filed with the Commission by July 8, 1996.
    Also see paragraph D10.
    k. Status of Environmental Analysis: The application and the 
response to the Commission's additional information request have been 
accepted for filing and the application is ready for environmental 
analysis. See attached paragraph D10.
    l. Description of Project: The Hoosic River Project is located in 
Rensselaer and Washington counties, New York. The project consists of 
two developments, Johnsonville and Schaghticoke, which are located on 
the Hoosic River approximately 13.3 and 7.1 miles, respectively, from 
its confluence with the Hudson River. The applicant currently operates 
both developments as storage-and-release peaking facilities. The 
Johnsonville Dam creates a 450 acre impoundment at a normal maximum 
water surface elevation of 346 feet above mean sea level, a usable 
storage capacity of 1,790 acre-feet, and a gross maximum storage 
capacity of 6,430 acre-feet. The normal maximum vertical fluctuation of 
the Johnsonville impoundment is 4 feet. The Schaghticoke Dam creates a 
198 acre impoundment at a normal maximum water surface elevation of 267 
feet above mean sea level, a usable storage capacity of 190 acre-feet, 
and a gross maximum storage capacity of 1,150 acre-feet. The normal 
maximum vertical fluctuation of the Schaghticoke impoundment is 1 foot.

Schaghticoke Development

    The Schaghticoke development includes: (a) a concrete gravity dam 
with 2.5-foot-high wooden flashboards; (b) a waste gate structure 
containing two steel timber gates; (c) a canal that leads to the 
pipeline intake structure containing an ice sluice; (d) one steel 
pipeline that leads to a steel surge tank; (e) five steel penstocks 
that exit the surge tank and lead to the powerhouse; and (f) a 
powerhouse containing four vertical Francis turbine-generator units and 
associated controls and equipment.
    The total installed capacity of the Schaghticoke development is 
15.1 megawatts (MW) with an annual average energy generation of 68,300 
megawatt-hours (MWh) and a hydraulic capacity of 240 to 1,640 cubic 
feet per second (cfs). The facility creates a 1.96 mile bypass reach 
between the dam and powerhouse tailrace. The bypass reach currently 
receives no minimum flows. The powerhouse operates under a gross head 
of 153 feet. There are no transmission lines included in the existing 
development.
    The applicant proposes to change the operation of the Schaghticoke 
development from storage-and-release peaking to storage-and-release 
pulsing. The applicant also proposes to repair and upgrade the plant 
facilities and automate operations via remote controls.
    The applicant proposes to release a minimum flow of 10 cfs to the 
bypass reach and a base flow of 40 cfs downstream of the powerhouse. 
Impoundment fluctuations would be limited to 1 foot below the top of 
the flashboards or spillway crest.
    The applicant proposes to replace the existing waterwheel exciters 
with two 150-kilowatt, 15 cfs fixed discharge propeller turbines. The 
installed capacity of the development would increase to 16.4 MW and, 
because of generator restrictions, the hydraulic capacity would 
decrease to 1,470 cfs.

Johnsonville Development

    The Johnsonville development includes: (a) a concrete gravity dam 
with 2.5-foot-high wooden flashboards; (b) a gatehouse containing four 
iron sluice gates; (c) a concrete intake structure containing two bays; 
and (d) a powerhouse containing two horizontal double runner Francis 
turbines, two synchronous plant generators and associated controls and 
equipment.
    The total installed capacity of the Johnsonville development is 4.8 
MW with an annual average energy generation of 14,350 MWh and a 
hydraulic capacity of 380 to 1288 cfs. There is no substantial bypassed 
reach associated with the facility. The powerhouse operates under a 
gross head of 38 feet. There are no transmission lines included in the 
existing development.
    The applicant proposes to change the operation of the Johnsonville 
development from storage-and-release peaking to storage-and-release 
pulsing. The applicant would also repair and upgrade the plant 
facilities and automate operations via remote controls. The applicant 
proposes to reduce the normal fluctuations in the impoundment from 4 
feet to 1 foot. The applicant would release a base flow of 40 cfs 
downstream of the powerhouse.
    The applicant proposes to enhance recreational facilities by: 
providing a recreational/educational trail system along the north shore 
downstream of the Buskirk Bridge (including an observation deck, 
interpretive signs, picnic area, fishing access points, and parking 
area); constructing car-top boat launch sites with picnic facilities on 
the southeast shore near the dam; constructing a canoe portage around 
the dam; and constructing a car-top boat launch near the Buskirk Bridge 
for access to the Johnsonville impoundment.
    m. Purpose of Project: Project power would be utilized by the 
applicant for sale to its customers.
    n. This notice also consists of the following standard paragraphs: 
A4 and D10.
    o. Available Location of Application: A copy of this application, 
as amended and supplemented, is available for inspection and 
reproduction at the Commission's Public Reference and Files Maintenance 
Branch, located at 888 First Street, N.E., Room 2A, Washington, D.C., 
20426, or by calling (202) 208-1371. A copy is also available for 
inspection and reproduction at Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, 300 
Erie Boulevard West, Syracuse, NY 13202, or by calling (315) 474-1511.

    5 a. Type of filing: Notice of Intent to File An Application for a 
New (Subsequent) License.
    b. Project No.: 2585.
    c. Date filed: July 28, 1995.
    d. Submitted By: Duke Power Company, current licensee.
    e. Name of Project: Idols.
    f. Location: On the Yadkin River, in Forsyth County, NC.
    g. Filed Pursuant to: 18 CFR 16.6 of the Commission's regulations.
    h. Effective date of original license: April 1, 1962.
    i. Expiration date of original license: July 31, 2000.
    j. The project consists of: (1) a 15-foot-high, 660-foot-long 
rubble masonry dam having an ungated spillway; (2) a 1-mile-long 
reservoir having a 35 acre surface area and no appreciable storage at 
normal pool elevation; (3) an integral stone masonry and wood 
powerhouse containing six generating units with a total installed 
capacity of 1,411-kW; and (4) appurtenant facilities.
    k. Pursuant to 18 CFR 16.7, information on the project is available 
at: Duke Power Company, 422 South Church Street, Charlotte, NC 28242, 
(704) 382-8104.
    l. FERC contact: Charles T. Raabe (202) 219-2811.
    m. Pursuant to 18 CFR 16.19 and 16.20, each application for a new 
or subsequent license and any competing license applications must be 
filed with the Commission at least 24 months prior

[[Page 11826]]
to the expiration of the existing license. All applications for license 
for this project must be filed by July 31, 1998.

    6 a. Type of Application: Minor License.
    b. Project No.: 11574-000.
    c. Date filed: February 23, 1996.
    d. Applicant: City of Norwich, Department of Public Utilities.
    e. Name of Project: Occum Project.
    f. Location: on the Shetucket River, near the City of Norwich, New 
London County, Connecticut.
    g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power Act 16 U.S.C. Secs. 791 (a)-
825(r).
    h. Applicant Contact: Mr. Peter Polubiatko, Electric Division 
Manager, City of Norwich, Department of Utilities, 16 Golden Street, 
Norwich, CT 06360, (203) 823-4153.
    i. FERC Contact: Michael Dees (202) 219-2807.
    j. Comment Date: 60 days from the filing date in paragraph c.
    k. Description of Project: The project would consist of the 
following features: (1) An existing dam, (2) a 90 acre reservoir, (3) a 
forebay, (4) an intake structure, (5) an existing powerhouse housing a 
hydropower unit with a capacity of 800 Kw; (6) a proposed fish passage 
facility; (7) an existing 4.8 Kv transmission line; and (8) appurtenant 
facilities.
    l. With this notice, we are initiating consultation with the 
Connecticut State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), as required by 
section 106, National Historic Preservation Act, and the regulations of 
the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, 36 CFR 800.4.
    m. Pursuant to Section 4.32(b)(7) of 18 CFR of the Commission's 
regulations, if any resource agency, Indian Tribe, or person believes 
that an additional scientific study should be conducted in order to 
form an adequate factual basis for a complete analysis of the 
application on its merit, the resource agency, Indian Tribe, or person 
must file a request for a study with the Commission not later than 60 
days from the filing date and serve a copy of the request on the 
applicant.
    In addition to filing under the above paragraph, requests for 
additional studies may be submited on a 3\1/2\-inch diskette formatted 
for MS-DOS based computers. In light of our ability to translate MS-DOS 
based materials, the text need only be submitted in the format and 
version that it was generated (i.e., MS Word, Wordperfect 5.1/5.2, 
ASCII, etc.). It is not necessary to reformat word processor generated 
text to ASCII. For Macintosh users, it would be helpful to save the 
documents in Macintosh word processor format and then write them to 
files on a diskette formatted for MS-DOS machines.

    7 a. Type of Application: Transfer of License.
    b. Project No.: 10468-015.
    c. Date Filed: February 28, 1996.
    d. Applicant: Marsh Valley Hydroelectric Company Marsh Valley 
Development, Inc.
    e. Name of Project: Marsh Valley.
    f. Location: On the Portneuf River, in Bannock County, Idaho.
    g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. Secs. 791(a)-
825(r).
    h. Applicant Contact: Ted S. Sorenson, President, Marsh Valley 
Development, Inc., 5203 South 11th East, Idaho Falls, ID 83404, (208) 
522-8069.
    i. FERC Contact: Regina Saizan, (202) 219-2673.
    j. Comment Date: May 3, 1996.
    k. Description of Request: Marsh Valley Hydroelectric Company 
(MVHC), licensee, and Marsh Valley Development, Inc. (MVDI) request 
that the license for the Marsh Valley Project be transferred from MVHC 
to MVDI.
    l. This notice also consists of the following standard paragraphs: 
B, C1, and D2.

Standard Paragraphs

    A4. Development Application--Public notice of the filing of the 
initial development application, which has already been given, 
established the due date for filing competing applications or notices 
of intent. Under the Commission's regulations, any competing 
development application must be filed in response to and in compliance 
with public notice of the initial development application. No competing 
applications or notices of intent may be filed in response to this 
notice.
    A5. Preliminary Permit--Anyone desiring to file a competing 
application for preliminary permit for a proposed project must submit 
the competing application itself, or a notice of intent to file such an 
application, to the Commission on or before the specified comment date 
for the particular application (see 18 CFR 4.36). Submission of a 
timely notice of intent allows an interested person to file the 
competing preliminary permit application no later than 30 days after 
the specified comment date for the particular application. A competing 
preliminary permit application must conform with 18 CFR 4.30(b) and 
4.36.
    A7. Preliminary Permit--Any qualified development applicant 
desiring to file a competing development application must submit to the 
Commission, on or before a specified comment date for the particular 
application, either a competing development application or a notice of 
intent to file such an application. Submission of a timely notice of 
intent to file a development application allows an interested person to 
file the competing application no later than 120 days after the 
specified comment date for the particular application. A competing 
license application must conform with 18 CFR 4.30(b) and 4.36.
    A9. Notice of intent--A notice of intent must specify the exact 
name, business address, and telephone number of the prospective 
applicant, and must include an unequivocal statement of intent to 
submit, if such an application may be filed, either a preliminary 
permit application or a development application (specify which type of 
application). A notice of intent must be served on the applicant(s) 
named in this public notice.
    A10. Proposed Scope of Studies under Permit--A preliminary permit, 
if issued, does not authorize construction. The term of the proposed 
preliminary permit would be 36 months. The work proposed under the 
preliminary permit would include economic analysis, preparation of 
preliminary engineering plans, and a study of environmental impacts. 
Based on the results of these studies, the Applicant would decide 
whether to proceed with the preparation of a development application to 
construct and operate the project.
    B. Comments, Protests, or Motions to Intervene--Anyone may submit 
comments, a protest, or a motion to intervene in accordance with the 
requirements of Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.210, .211, 
.214. In determining the appropriate action to take, the Commission 
will consider all protests or other comments filed, but only those who 
file a motion to intervene in accordance with the Commission's Rules 
may become a party to the proceeding. Any comments, protests, or 
motions to intervene must be received on or before the specified 
comment date for the particular application.
    C. Filing and Service of Responsive Documents--Any filings must 
bear in all capital letters the title ``COMMENTS'', ``NOTICE OF INTENT 
TO FILE COMPETING APPLICATION'', ``COMPETING APPLICATION'', 
``PROTEST'', ``MOTION TO INTERVENE'', as applicable, and the Project 
Number of the particular application to which the filing refers. Any of 
the above-named documents must be filed by providing the original and 
the number of copies provided by

[[Page 11827]]
the Commission's regulations to: The Secretary, Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20426. 
An additional copy must be sent to Director, Division of Project 
Review, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, at the above-mentioned 
address. A copy of any notice of intent, competing application or 
motion to intervene must also be served upon each representative of the 
Applicant specified in the particular application.
    C1. Filing and Service of Responsive Documents--Any filings must 
bear in all capital letters the title ``COMMENTS'', ``RECOMMENDATIONS 
FOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS'', ``PROTEST'', or ``MOTION TO INTERVENE'', as 
applicable, and the Project Number of the particular application to 
which the filing refers. Any of the above-named documents must be filed 
by providing the original and the number of copies provided by the 
Commission's regulations to: The Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, 888 First Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20426. A copy of 
any motion to intervene must also be served upon each representative of 
the Applicant specified in the particular application.
    D2. Agency Comments--Federal, state, and local agencies are invited 
to file comments on the described application. A copy of the 
application may be obtained by agencies directly from the Applicant. If 
an agency does not file comments within the time specified for filing 
comments, it will be presumed to have no comments. One copy of an 
agency's comments must also be sent to the Applicant's representatives.
    D10. Filing and Service of Responsive Documents--The application is 
ready for environmental analysis at this time, and the Commission is 
requesting comments, reply comments, recommendations, terms and 
conditions, and prescriptions.
    The Commission directs, pursuant to Section 4.34(b) of the 
Regulations (see Order No. 533 issued May 8, 1991, 56 FR 23108, May 20, 
1991) that all comments, recommendations, terms and conditions and 
prescriptions concerning the application be filed with the Commission 
within 60 days from the issuance date of this notice (May 13, 1996 for 
Project No. 2616-004). All reply comments must be filed with the 
Commission within 105 days from the date of this notice (June 26, 1996 
for Project No. 2616-004).
    Anyone may obtain an extension of time for these deadlines from the 
Commission only upon a showing of good cause or extraordinary 
circumstances in accordance with 18 CFR 385.2008.
    All filings must (1) bear in all capital letters the title 
``COMMENTS'', ``REPLY COMMENTS'', ``RECOMMENDATIONS,'' ``TERMS AND 
CONDITIONS,'' or ``PRESCRIPTIONS;'' (2) set forth in the heading the 
name of the applicant and the project number of the application to 
which the filing responds; (3) furnish the name, address, and telephone 
number of the person submitting the filing; and (4) otherwise comply 
with the requirements of 18 CFR 385.2001 through 385.2005. All 
comments, recommendations, terms and conditions or prescriptions must 
set forth their evidentiary basis and otherwise comply with the 
requirements of 18 CFR 4.34(b). Agencies may obtain copies of the 
application directly from the applicant. Any of these documents must be 
filed by providing the original and the number of copies required by 
the Commission's regulations to: The Secretary, Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20426. 
An additional copy must be sent to Director, Division of Project 
Review, Office of Hydropower Licensing, Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, at the above address. Each filing must be accompanied by 
proof of service on all persons listed on the service list prepared by 
the Commission in this proceeding, in accordance with 18 CFR 4.34(b), 
and 385.2010.

    Dated: March 18, 1996, Washington, D.C.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-6966 Filed 3-21-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P