[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 198 (Monday, October 16, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 71347]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-22758]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Project No. 11546-022]


City of Thief River Falls Municipal Utilities; Notice of Intent 
To File License Application, Filing of Pre-Application Document, and 
Approving Use of the Traditional Licensing Process

    a. Type of Filing: Notice of Intent to File License Application and 
Request to Use the Traditional Licensing Process.
    b. Project No.: 11546-022.
    c. Date Filed: August 31, 2023.
    d. Submitted by: City of Thief River Falls Municipal Utilities 
(Thief River Utilities).
    e. Name of Project: Municipal Power Dam Hydroelectric Project.
    f. Location: On the Red Lake River in Pennington County, Minnesota.
    g. Filed Pursuant to: 18 CFR 5.3 of the Commission's regulations.
    h. Potential Applicant Contact: Ronnie Lund, Chief Power Plant 
Operator, City of Thief River Falls Municipal Utilities, 1711 1st 
Street West, Thief River Falls, MN 56701; phone: (218) 681-3506; email: 
[email protected].
    i. FERC Contact: David Graefe at (202) 502-6137; or email at 
[email protected].
    j. Thief River Utilities filed its request to use the Traditional 
Licensing Process on August 31, 2023. Thief River Utilities provided 
public notice of its request on August 23, 2023. In a letter dated 
October 10, 2023, the Director of the Division of Hydropower Licensing 
approved Thief River Utilities' request to use the Traditional 
Licensing Process.
    k. With this notice, we are initiating informal consultation with 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under section 7 of the Endangered 
Species Act and the joint agency regulations thereunder at 50 CFR, part 
402. We are also initiating consultation with the Minnesota State 
Historic Preservation Officer, as required by section 106, National 
Historical Preservation Act, and the implementing regulations of the 
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation at 36 CFR 800.2.
    l. With this notice, we are designating Thief River Utilities as 
the Commission's non-Federal representative for carrying out informal 
consultation, pursuant to section 7 of the Endangered Species Act and 
section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
    m. Thief River Utilities filed a Pre-Application Document (PAD; 
including a proposed process plan and schedule) with the Commission, 
pursuant to 18 CFR 5.6 of the Commission's regulations.
    n. A copy of the PAD may be viewed and/or printed on the 
Commission's website (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. At this time, the 
Commission has suspended access to the Commission's Public Reference 
Room. For assistance, contact FERC at [email protected] or 
call toll free, (886) 208-3676 or TTY (202) 502-8659.
    o. The licensee states its unequivocal intent to submit an 
application for a subsequent license for Project No. 11546. Pursuant to 
18 CFR 16.20 each application for a 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, 
2026.
    p. Register online at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp to be notified via email of new filing and issuances 
related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, contact FERC 
Online Support.
    q. The Commission's Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports 
meaningful public engagement and participation in Commission 
proceedings. OPP can help members of the public, including landowners, 
environmental justice communities, Tribal members and others, access 
publicly available information and navigate Commission processes. For 
public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as 
interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, the public is 
encouraged to contact OPP at (202) 502-6595 or [email protected].

    Dated: October 10, 2023.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-22758 Filed 10-13-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P