[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 73 (Tuesday, April 15, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20275-20278]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-7913]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Project No.: 2232-522]


Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC; Notice of Application Ready for 
Environmental Analysis and Soliciting Comments, Recommendations, Terms 
and Conditions, and Prescriptions

April 7, 2008.
    Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been 
filed

[[Page 20276]]

with the Commission and is available for public inspection.
    a. Type of Application: New Major License.
    b. Project No.: 2232-522.
    c. Date filed: August 29, 2006.
    d. Applicant: Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC.
    e. Name of Project: Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project.
    f. Location: On the Catawba River, in Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, 
Catawba, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, McDowell, and Mecklenburg counties, 
North Carolina, and on the Catawba and Wateree rivers in the counties 
of Chester, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, and York, South Carolina.
    g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power Act 16 U.S.C. 791(a)-825(r).
    h. Applicant Contact: Jeffrey G. Lineberger, Catawba-Wateree Hydro 
Relicensing Manager; and E. Mark Oakley, Catawba-Wateree Relicensing 
Project Manager, Duke Energy, Mail Code EC12Y, P.O. Box 1006, 
Charlotte, NC 28201-1006.
    i. FERC Contact: Sean Murphy at 202-502-6145; or at 
[email protected].
    j. The deadline for filing comments, recommendations, terms and 
conditions, and prescriptions is 60 days from the issuance of this 
notice; reply comments are due 105 days from the issuance date of this 
notice.
    All documents (original and eight copies) should be filed with: 
Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 
First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426.
    The Commission's Rules of Practice require all intervenors filing 
documents with the Commission to serve a copy of that document on each 
person on the official service list for the project. Further, if an 
intervenor files comments or documents with the Commission relating to 
the merits of an issue that may affect the responsibilities of a 
particular resource agency, they must also serve a copy of the document 
on that resource agency.
    Comments, recommendations, terms and conditions, and prescriptions 
may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. The 
Commission strongly encourages electronic filings. See 18 CFR 
385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site 
(http://www.ferc.gov) under the ``e-Filing'' link.
    k. This application has been accepted, and is ready for 
environmental analysis at this time.
    l. The existing 831-megawatt (MW) Catawba-Wateree Project consists 
of the eleven reservoirs and thirteen developments described below, 
which span more than 225 River Miles (RM) and include approximately 
1,795 miles of reservoir and island shoreline:
    1. The Bridgewater development consists of the following existing 
facilities: (1) The Catawba dam consisting of: (a) A 1,650-foot-long, 
125-foot-high earth embankment; (b) a 305-foot-long, 120-foot-high 
concrete gravity ogee spillway; and (c) a 850-foot-long, 125-foot-high 
earth embankment; (2) the Paddy Creek dam consisting of: A 1,610-foot-
long, 165-foot-high earth embankment; (3) the Linville dam consisting 
of: A 1,325-foot-long, 160-foot-high earth embankment; (4) a 430-foot-
long uncontrolled low overflow weir spillway situated between Paddy 
Creek dam and Linville dam; (5) a 6,754 acre reservoir formed by 
Catawba, Paddy Creek, and Linville with a normal water surface 
elevation of 1,200 feet above mean sea level (msl); (6) a 900-foot-long 
concrete-lined intake tunnel; (7) a powerhouse containing two vertical 
Francis-type turbines directly connected to two generators, each rated 
at 10,000 kilowatts (kW), for a total installed capacity of 20.0 MW; 
and (8) other appurtenances.
    2. The Rhodhiss development consists of the following existing 
facilities: (1) The Rhodhiss dam consisting of: (a) A 119.58-foot-long 
concrete gravity bulkhead; (b) a 800-foot-long, 72-foot-high concrete 
gravity ogee spillway; (c) a 122.08-foot-long concrete gravity bulkhead 
with an additional 8-foot-high floodwall; and (d) a 283.92-foot-long 
rolled fill earth embankment; (2) a 2,724 acre reservoir with a normal 
water surface elevation of 995.1 feet above msl; (4) a powerhouse 
integral to the dam, situated between the bulkhead on the left bank and 
the ogee spillway section, containing three vertical Francis-type 
turbines directly connected to three generators, two rated at 12,350 
kW, one rated at 8,500 kW for a total installed capacity of 28.4 MW; 
and (5) other appurtenances.
    3. The Oxford development consists of the following existing 
facilities: (1) The Oxford dam consisting of: (a) A 74.75-foot-long 
soil nail wall; (b) a 193-foot-long emergency spillway; (c) a 550-foot-
long gated concrete gravity spillway; (d) a 112-foot-long embankment 
wall situated above the powerhouse; and (e) a 429.25-foot-long earth 
embankment; (2) a 4,072 acre reservoir with a normal water surface 
elevation of 935 feet above msl; (4) a powerhouse integral to the dam, 
situated between the gated spillway and the earth embankment, 
containing two vertical Francis-type turbines directly connected to two 
generators, each rated at 18,000 kW for a total installed capacity of 
35.7 MW; and (5) other appurtenances.
    4. The Lookout Shoals development consists of the following 
existing facilities: (1) The Lookout Shoals dam consisting of: (a) A 
282.08-foot-long concrete gravity bulkhead section; (b) a 933-foot-long 
uncontrolled concrete gravity ogee spillway; (c) a 65-foot-long gravity 
bulkhead section; and (d) a 1,287-foot-long, 88-foot-high earth 
embankment; (2) a 1,155 acre reservoir with a normal water surface 
elevation of 838.1 feet above msl; (3) a powerhouse integral to the 
dam, situated between the bulkhead on the left bank and the ogee 
spillway, containing three main vertical Francis-type turbines and two 
smaller vertical Francis-type turbines directly connected to five 
generators, the three main generators rated at 8,970 kW, and the two 
smaller rated at 450 kW for a total installed capacity of 25.7 MW; and 
(4) other appurtenances.
    5. The Cowans Ford development consists of the following existing 
facilities: (1) The Cowans Ford dam consisting of: (a) A 3,535-foot-
long embankment; (b) a 209.5-foot-long gravity bulkhead; (c) a 465-
foot-long concrete ogee spillway with eleven Taintor gates, each 35-
feet-wide by 28-feet-high; (d) a 276-foot-long bulkhead; and (e) a 
3,924-foot-long earth embankment; (2) a 3,134-foot-long saddle dam 
(Hicks Crossroads); (3) a 32,339 acre reservoir with a normal water 
surface elevation of 760 feet above msl; (4) a powerhouse integral to 
the dam, situated between the spillway and the bulkhead near the right 
embankment, containing four vertical Kaplan-type turbines directly 
connected to four generators rated at 83,125 kW for a total installed 
capacity of 332.5 MW; and (5) other appurtenances.
    6. The Mountain Island development consists of the following 
existing facilities: (1) The Mountain Island dam consisting of: (a) A 
997-foot-long, 97-foot-high uncontrolled concrete gravity ogee 
spillway; (b) a 259-foot-long bulkhead on the left side of the 
powerhouse; (c) a 200-foot-long bulkhead on the right side of the 
powerhouse; (d) a 75-foot-long concrete core wall; and (e) a 670-foot-
long, 140-foot-high earth embankment; (2) a 3,117 acre reservoir with a 
normal water surface elevation of 647.5 feet above msl; (3) a 
powerhouse integral to the dam, situated between the two bulkheads, 
containing four vertical Francis-type turbines directly connected to 
four generators rated at 15,000 kW for a total installed capacity of 
55.1 MW; and (4) other appurtenances.
    7. The Wylie development consists of the following existing 
facilities: (1) The

[[Page 20277]]

Wylie dam consisting of: (a) A 234-foot-long bulkhead; (b) a 790.92-
foot-long ogee spillway section that contains 2 controlled sections 
with a total of eleven Stoney gates, each 45-feet-wide by 30-feet-high, 
separated by an uncontrolled section with no gates; (c) a 400.92-foot-
long bulkhead; and (d) a 1,595-foot-long earth embankment; (2) a 12,177 
acre reservoir with a normal water surface elevation of 569.4 feet 
above msl; (3) a powerhouse integral to the dam, situated between the 
bulkhead and the spillway near the left bank, containing four vertical 
Francis-type turbines directly connected to four generators rated at 
18,000 kW for a total installed capacity of 69 MW; and (4) other 
appurtenances.
    8. The Fishing Creek development consists of the following existing 
facilities: (1) The Fishing Creek dam consisting of: (a) A 114-foot-
long, 97-foot-high uncontrolled concrete ogee spillway; (b) a 1,210-
foot-long concrete gravity, ogee spillway with twenty-two Stoney gates, 
each 45-feet-widy by 25-feet-high; and (c) a 214-foot-long concrete 
gravity bulkhead structure; (2) a 3,431 acre reservoir with a normal 
water surface elevation of 417.2 feet above msl; (3) a powerhouse 
integral to the dam, situated between the gated spillway and the 
bulkhead structure near the right bank, containing five vertical 
Francis-type turbines directly connected to five generators two rated 
at 10,530 kW and three rated at 9,450 kW for a total installed capacity 
of 48.1 MW; and (4) other appurtenances.
    9. The Great Falls-Dearborn development consists of the following 
existing facilities: (1) The Great Falls diversion dam consisting of a 
1,557.6-foot-long concrete section; (2) the Dearborn dam consisting of: 
(a) A 160-foot-long, 103-foot-high, concrete embankment; (b) a 150-
foot-long, 103-foot-high intake and bulkhead section; and (c) a 75-
foot-long, 103-foot-high bulkhead section; (3) the Great Falls dam 
consisting of: (a) a 675-foot-long, 103-foot-high concrete embankment 
situated in front of the Great Falls Powerhouse (and joined to the 
Dearborn dam embankment); and (b) a 250-foot-long intake section 
(within the embankment); (4) the Great Falls bypassed spillway and 
headworks section consisting of: (a) A 446.7-foot-long short concrete 
bypassed reach uncontrolled spillway with a gated trashway (main 
spillway); (b) a 583.5-foot-long concrete headworks uncontrolled 
spillway with 4-foot-high flashboards (canal spillway); and (c) a 262-
foot-long concrete headworks section situated perpendicular to the main 
spillway and the canal spillway, containing ten openings, each 16-feet-
wide; (5) a 353 acre reservoir with a normal water surface elevation of 
355.8 feet above msl; (6) two powerhouses separated by a retaining 
wall, consisting of: (a) Great Falls powerhouse: containing eight 
horizontal Francis-type turbines directly connected to eight generators 
rated at 3,000 kW for an installed capacity of 24.0 MW, and (b) 
Dearborn powerhouse: containing three vertical Francis-type turbines 
directly connected to three generators rated at 15,000 kW for an 
installed capacity of 42.0 MW, for a total installed capacity of 66.0 
MW; and (7) other appurtenances.
    10. The Rocky Creek-Cedar Creek development consists of the 
following existing facilities: (1) A U-shaped concrete gravity overflow 
spillway with (a) A 130-foot-long section (on the east side) that forms 
a forebay canal to the Cedar Creek powerhouse and contains two Stoney 
gate, each 45-feet-wide by 25-feet-high; (b) a 1,025-foot-long, 69-
foot-high concrete gravity overflow spillway; and (c) a 213-foot-long 
section (on the west side) that forms the upper end of the forebay 
canal for the Rocky Creek powerhouse; (2) a 450-foot-long concrete 
gravity bulkhead section that completes the lower end of the Rocky 
Creek forebay canal; (3) a 748-acre reservoir with a normal water 
surface elevation of 284.4 feet above msl; (4) two powerhouses 
consisting of: (a) Cedar Creek powerhouse (on the east): containing 
three vertical Francis-type turbines directly connected to three 
generators, one rated at 15,000 kW, and two rated at 18,000 kW for an 
installed capacity of 43.0 MW; and (b) Rocky Creek powerhouse (on the 
west): containing eight horizontal twin-runner Francis-type turbines 
directly connected to eight generators, six rated at 3,000 kW and two 
rated at 4,500 kW for an installed capacity of 25.8 MW, for a total 
installed capacity of 68.8 MW; and (5) other appurtenances.
    11. The Wateree development consists of the following existing 
facilities: (1) The Wateree dam consisting of: (a) A 1,450-foot-long 
uncontrolled concrete gravity ogee spillway; and (b) a 1,370-foot-long 
earth embankment; (2) a 13,025-acre reservoir with a normal water 
surface elevation of 225.5 feet above msl; (3) a powerhouse integral to 
the dam, situated between the spillway and the earth embankment, 
containing five vertical Francis-type turbines directly connected to 
five generators, two rated at 17,100 kW and three rated at 18,050 kW 
for a total installed capacity of 82.0 MW; and (4) other appurtenances.
    m. A copy of the application is available for review at the 
Commission in the Public Reference Room or may be viewed on the 
Commission's Web site at http://www.ferc.gov, using the ``eLibrary'' 
link. Enter the docket number, excluding the last three digits in the 
docket number field, to access the document. For assistance, contact 
FERC Online Support at [email protected] or toll-free at 1-
866-208-3676, or for TTY, (202) 502-8659. A copy is also available for 
inspection and reproduction at the address in item h above.
    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. 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.
    You may also register online at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp to be notified via e-mail of new filings and 
issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, 
contact FERC Online Support.
    n. The revised schedule for the Catawba-Wateree Project relicensing 
follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Milestone                           Target date
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Filing of recommendations, preliminary   June 2008.
 terms and conditions, and fishway
 prescriptions.
Issue Draft EIS........................  November 2008.
Comments filed on Draft EIS and          January 2009.
 Modified Terms and Conditions.
Issue Final EIS........................  April 2009.
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    o. A license applicant must file, no later than 60 days following 
the date of issuance of this notice: (1) A copy of the water quality 
certification; (2) a copy of the request for certification, including 
proof of the date on which the certifying

[[Page 20278]]

agency received the request; or (3) evidence of waiver of water quality 
certification.

Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8-7913 Filed 4-14-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P