Merced Irrigation District; Notice of Application Accepted for Filing, Soliciting Motions To Intervene and Protests, Ready for Environmental Analysis, and Soliciting Comments, Recommendations, Preliminary Terms and Conditions, and Preliminary Fishway Prescriptions, 18541-18542 [2014-07305]

Download as PDF [FR Doc. 2014–07362 Filed 4–1–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 2179–043] tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Merced Irrigation District; Notice of Application Accepted for Filing, Soliciting Motions To Intervene and Protests, Ready for Environmental Analysis, and Soliciting Comments, Recommendations, Preliminary Terms and Conditions, and Preliminary Fishway Prescriptions Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection. a. Type of Application: New License. b. Project No.: 2179–043. c. Date filed: February 27, 2012. d. Applicant: Merced Irrigation District (Merced ID). e. Name of Project: Merced River Hydroelectric Project. f. Location: The existing project is located on the Merced River in Merced and Mariposa counties, California. The project would occupy 3,152.9 acres of federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power Act 16 U.S.C. 791(a)–825. h. Applicant Contact: Merced Irrigation District, P.O. Box 2288, Merced, CA 95344; Telephone (209) 722–5761. i. FERC Contact: Matt Buhyoff, (202) 502–6824 or matt.buhyoff@ferc.gov. j. Deadline for filing motions to intervene and protests, comments, recommendations, preliminary terms and conditions, and preliminary prescriptions: 60 days from the issuance date of this notice; reply comments are due 105 days from the issuance date of this notice. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please file motions to intervene, protests, comments, recommendations, preliminary terms and conditions, and preliminary fishway prescriptions using the Commission’s eFiling system at https:// www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp. Commenters can submit brief comments up to 6,000 characters, without prior registration, using the eComment system at https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ ecomment.asp. You must include your VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Apr 01, 2014 Jkt 232001 name and contact information at the end of your comments. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, (866) 208–3676 (toll free), or (202) 502–8659 (TTY). In lieu of electronic filing, please send a paper copy to: Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426. The first page of any filing should include docket number P–2179–043. 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. k. This application has been accepted for filing and is now ready for environmental analysis. l. The project consists of two developments: New Exchequer Development—(1) New Exchequer Dam—a 490 feet-high dam with a crest length of 1,220 feet and a crest elevation of 879 feet; (2) an ogeetype concrete spillway located about one mile north of New Exchequer dam in a saddle; (3) an earth and rock dike 62-feet-high and 1,500-feet-long located in a saddle about 0.75 mile north of New Exchequer dam; (4) Lake McClure—a reservoir formed by New Exchequer dam with normal maximum water surface elevation of 867 feet msl, a gross storage capacity of 1,024,600acre-feet, a surface area of 7,110 acres, and a shoreline length of about 82 miles; (5) an intake located near the north end of the dam and approximately 382 feet deep at full pool; (6) a 383 feet-long, 18feet-diameter concrete-lined power tunnel leading from the intake to McSwain reservoir north of New Exchequer powerhouse; (7) a 982-feetlong, 16-feet-diameter concrete-encased steel penstock that leads to; (8) a powerhouse with one vertical Francis turbine with a capacity of 94.5 MW, located at the base of New Exchequer dam releasing directly into McSwain reservoir; (9) a switchyard located adjacent to New Exchequer powerhouse and; (10) four developed recreation facilities (McClure Point, Barrett Cove, Horseshoe Bend, and Bagby) with 515 camping units, 4 boat launch facilities, boat rentals, showers, 28 comfort stations, 3 swimming lagoons, 2 marinas, gas and oil service stations, 186 water-electrical campsite hookups, washers and dryers, 117 picnic units and fish cleaning stations. PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 18541 McSwain Development—(1) McSwain dam—located 6.3 miles downstream from New Exchequer dam, an 80 feethigh embankment structure, with a crest length of 1,620 feet and a crest elevation of 425 feet; (2) an ungated concrete overflow spillway located in a flat ridge on the southeast side of the dam, including two sections: A 150-feet-long section with a crest elevation at 402 feet, and a 475-feet-long section with a crest elevation at 400 feet; (3) McSwain reservoir—a 4.8 miles-long reservoir with a normal maximum water surface elevation at 400 feet msl, a maximum depth of 66 feet, a gross storage capacity of 9,730 acre-feet, a surface area of 310 acres, and a shoreline length of about 12.5 miles; (4) an intake located on the north end of the dam and approximately 39 feet below the reservoir’s normal minimum water surface elevation; (5) a 160 feet-long, 9–feet-diameter, low-level powerhouse-bypass pipe leading from the power tunnel intake, through the dam, directly to Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E) Merced Falls reservoir (FERC No. 2467); (6) a 15-feetdiameter and 160-feet-long penstock leading a powerhouse with a single vertical Kaplan turbine with a capacity of 9.0 MW, located at the base of McSwain dam, and releasing into Merced Falls reservoir; (7) a switchyard located adjacent to McSwain powerhouse, and; (8) one developed recreation facility with 99 camping units, 1 boat launch facility, boat rentals, showers, 5 comfort stations, a swimming lagoon, marina, gas and oil, 65 water-electrical campsite hookups, washers and dryers, 48 picnic units, a concession store, and fish cleaning stations. The Merced River Project has a dependable capacity of 103.5 MW and an annual average generation of approximately 385 GWh. Merced ID is not proposing any structural changes to the project. However, Merced ID is proposing to remove from the project, but retain in operation outside the license, seven water delivery facilities, which function, in part, to deliver water to a wildlife refuge. Merced ID is also proposing capital improvements to recreation areas at 5 existing recreation sites, as well as the development of a new non-motorized recreation area along the west shore of Lake McClure. 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 https://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 E:\FR\FM\02APN1.SGM 02APN1 EN02AP14.001</GPH> Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 63 / Wednesday, April 2, 2014 / Notices tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 18542 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 63 / Wednesday, April 2, 2014 / Notices Online Support. A copy is also available for inspection and reproduction at the address in item h above. Register online at https:// www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ esubscription.asp to be notified via email of new filings and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support. n. 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, and .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. All filings must (1) bear in all capital letters the title ‘‘PROTEST’’, ‘‘MOTION TO INTERVENE’’, ‘‘COMMENTS,’’ ‘‘REPLY COMMENTS,’’ ‘‘RECOMMENDATIONS,’’ ‘‘PRELIMINARY TERMS AND CONDITIONS,’’ or ‘‘PRELIMINARY FISHWAY 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 protesting or intervening; 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. A copy of any protest or motion to intervene must be served upon each representative of the applicant specified in the particular application. A copy of all other filings in reference to this application must be accompanied by proof of service on all persons listed in the service list prepared by the Commission in this proceeding, in accordance with 18 CFR 4.34(b) and 385.2010. o. Procedural Schedule: The application will be processed in conjunction with the Merced Falls Hydroelectric Project application (P– 2467–020) and according to the following revised Hydro Licensing Schedule. Revisions to the schedule may be made as appropriate. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:01 Apr 01, 2014 Jkt 232001 Milestone Target date Filing of recommendations, preliminary terms and conditions, and preliminary fishway prescriptions. Commission issues Draft EA or EIS. Comments on Draft EA or EIS. Modified Terms and Conditions. Commission Issues Final EA or EIS. May, 2014. November, 2014. January, 2015. March, 2015. June, 2015. p. Final amendments to the application must be filed with the Commission no later than 30 days from the issuance date of this notice. q. A license applicant must file no later than 60 days following the date of issuance of the notice of acceptance and ready for environmental analysis provided for in 5.22: (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 agency received the request; or (3) evidence of waiver of water quality certification. Dated: March 24, 2014. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary . [FR Doc. 2014–07305 Filed 4–1–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 12455–011] Borough of Lehighton, Pennsylvania; Notice of Application Accepted for Filing, Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Protests Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection: a. Types of Proceeding: Surrender of License. b. Project No.: 12455–011. c. Date Filed: March 4, 2014. d. Licensee: Borough of Lehighton, Pennsylvania. e. Name of Project: Beltzville Hydroelectric Project. f. Location: The unconstructed project was to be connected to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Beltzville dam which is located on Pohopoco Creek about 5 miles upstream of its confluence with the Lehigh River, and approximately 4 miles northeast of the Borough of Lehighton in Carbon County, Pennsylvania. PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 g. Filed Pursuant to: 18 CFR 6.2. h. Licensee Contact: Nicole Beckett, Manager, Borough of Lehighton, Borough Hall, 1 Constitutional Avenue, Lehighton, PA 18235. i. FERC Contact: Ms. Krista Sakallaris, (202) 502–6302, Krista.Sakallaris@ ferc.gov. j. Deadline for filing comments and protests is 30 days from the issuance of this notice by the Commission. Please file your submittal electronically via the Internet (eFiling) in lieu of paper. Please refer to the instructions on the Commission’s Web site under https:// www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp and filing instructions in the Commission’s Regulations at 18 CFR section 385.2001(a)(1)(iii). To assist you with eFilings you should refer to the submission guidelines document at https://www.ferc.gov/help/submissionguide/user-guide.pdf. In addition, certain filing requirements have statutory or regulatory formatting and other instructions. You should refer to a list of these ‘‘qualified documents’’ at https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling/ filing.pdf. You must include your name and contact information at the end of your comments. Please include the project number (P–12455–011) on any documents or motions filed. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings; otherwise, you should submit an original and seven copies of any submittal to the following address: The Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Mail Code: DHAC, PJ–12, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426. k. Description of Proceeding: On March 4, 2014, the Borough of Lehighton, Pennsylvania filed a letter stating that the Lehighton Borough Council decided to no longer pursue the Beltzville hydroelectric project. The licensee has not started construction and no ground disturbance has occurred at the project. As such, the surrender of the licensee’s license is an administrative action. l. This notice is available for review and reproduction at the Commission in the Public Reference Room, Room 2A, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426. The filing may also be viewed on the Commission’s Web site at https:// www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/elibrary.asp. Enter the Docket number (P–12455–011) excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the notice. You may also register online at https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ esubscription.asp to be notified via email of new filings and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, call toll-free 1–866–208– E:\FR\FM\02APN1.SGM 02APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 2, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18541-18542]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-07305]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Project No. 2179-043]


Merced Irrigation District; Notice of Application Accepted for 
Filing, Soliciting Motions To Intervene and Protests, Ready for 
Environmental Analysis, and Soliciting Comments, Recommendations, 
Preliminary Terms and Conditions, and Preliminary Fishway Prescriptions

    Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been 
filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection.
    a. Type of Application: New License.
    b. Project No.: 2179-043.
    c. Date filed: February 27, 2012.
    d. Applicant: Merced Irrigation District (Merced ID).
    e. Name of Project: Merced River Hydroelectric Project.
    f. Location: The existing project is located on the Merced River in 
Merced and Mariposa counties, California. The project would occupy 
3,152.9 acres of federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
    g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power Act 16 U.S.C. 791(a)-825.
    h. Applicant Contact: Merced Irrigation District, P.O. Box 2288, 
Merced, CA 95344; Telephone (209) 722-5761.
    i. FERC Contact: Matt Buhyoff, (202) 502-6824 or 
matt.buhyoff@ferc.gov.
    j. Deadline for filing motions to intervene and protests, comments, 
recommendations, preliminary terms and conditions, and preliminary 
prescriptions: 60 days from the issuance date of this notice; reply 
comments are due 105 days from the issuance date of this notice.
    The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please file 
motions to intervene, protests, comments, recommendations, preliminary 
terms and conditions, and preliminary fishway prescriptions using the 
Commission's eFiling system at https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp. Commenters can submit brief comments up to 6,000 
characters, without prior registration, using the eComment system at 
https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ecomment.asp. You must include your 
name and contact information at the end of your comments. For 
assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at 
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, (866) 208-3676 (toll free), or (202) 502-
8659 (TTY). In lieu of electronic filing, please send a paper copy to: 
Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20426. The first page of any filing should include 
docket number P-2179-043.
    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.
    k. This application has been accepted for filing and is now ready 
for environmental analysis.
    l. The project consists of two developments:
    New Exchequer Development--(1) New Exchequer Dam--a 490 feet-high 
dam with a crest length of 1,220 feet and a crest elevation of 879 
feet; (2) an ogee-type concrete spillway located about one mile north 
of New Exchequer dam in a saddle; (3) an earth and rock dike 62-feet-
high and 1,500-feet-long located in a saddle about 0.75 mile north of 
New Exchequer dam; (4) Lake McClure--a reservoir formed by New 
Exchequer dam with normal maximum water surface elevation of 867 feet 
msl, a gross storage capacity of 1,024,600-acre-feet, a surface area of 
7,110 acres, and a shoreline length of about 82 miles; (5) an intake 
located near the north end of the dam and approximately 382 feet deep 
at full pool; (6) a 383 feet-long, 18-feet-diameter concrete-lined 
power tunnel leading from the intake to McSwain reservoir north of New 
Exchequer powerhouse; (7) a 982-feet-long, 16-feet-diameter concrete-
encased steel penstock that leads to; (8) a powerhouse with one 
vertical Francis turbine with a capacity of 94.5 MW, located at the 
base of New Exchequer dam releasing directly into McSwain reservoir; 
(9) a switchyard located adjacent to New Exchequer powerhouse and; (10) 
four developed recreation facilities (McClure Point, Barrett Cove, 
Horseshoe Bend, and Bagby) with 515 camping units, 4 boat launch 
facilities, boat rentals, showers, 28 comfort stations, 3 swimming 
lagoons, 2 marinas, gas and oil service stations, 186 water-electrical 
campsite hookups, washers and dryers, 117 picnic units and fish 
cleaning stations.
    McSwain Development--(1) McSwain dam--located 6.3 miles downstream 
from New Exchequer dam, an 80 feet-high embankment structure, with a 
crest length of 1,620 feet and a crest elevation of 425 feet; (2) an 
ungated concrete overflow spillway located in a flat ridge on the 
southeast side of the dam, including two sections: A 150-feet-long 
section with a crest elevation at 402 feet, and a 475-feet-long section 
with a crest elevation at 400 feet; (3) McSwain reservoir--a 4.8 miles-
long reservoir with a normal maximum water surface elevation at 400 
feet msl, a maximum depth of 66 feet, a gross storage capacity of 9,730 
acre-feet, a surface area of 310 acres, and a shoreline length of about 
12.5 miles; (4) an intake located on the north end of the dam and 
approximately 39 feet below the reservoir's normal minimum water 
surface elevation; (5) a 160 feet-long, 9-feet-diameter, low-level 
powerhouse-bypass pipe leading from the power tunnel intake, through 
the dam, directly to Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (PG&E) Merced 
Falls reservoir (FERC No. 2467); (6) a 15-feet-diameter and 160-feet-
long penstock leading a powerhouse with a single vertical Kaplan 
turbine with a capacity of 9.0 MW, located at the base of McSwain dam, 
and releasing into Merced Falls reservoir; (7) a switchyard located 
adjacent to McSwain powerhouse, and; (8) one developed recreation 
facility with 99 camping units, 1 boat launch facility, boat rentals, 
showers, 5 comfort stations, a swimming lagoon, marina, gas and oil, 65 
water-electrical campsite hookups, washers and dryers, 48 picnic units, 
a concession store, and fish cleaning stations.
    The Merced River Project has a dependable capacity of 103.5 MW and 
an annual average generation of approximately 385 GWh. Merced ID is not 
proposing any structural changes to the project. However, Merced ID is 
proposing to remove from the project, but retain in operation outside 
the license, seven water delivery facilities, which function, in part, 
to deliver water to a wildlife refuge. Merced ID is also proposing 
capital improvements to recreation areas at 5 existing recreation 
sites, as well as the development of a new non-motorized recreation 
area along the west shore of Lake McClure.
    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 https://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

[[Page 18542]]

Online Support. A copy is also available for inspection and 
reproduction at the address in item h above.
    Register online at https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp to be notified via email of new filings and issuances 
related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, contact FERC 
Online Support.
    n. 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, and .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.
    All filings must (1) bear in all capital letters the title 
``PROTEST'', ``MOTION TO INTERVENE'', ``COMMENTS,'' ``REPLY COMMENTS,'' 
``RECOMMENDATIONS,'' ``PRELIMINARY TERMS AND CONDITIONS,'' or 
``PRELIMINARY FISHWAY 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 protesting or intervening; 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. A copy of any protest or 
motion to intervene must be served upon each representative of the 
applicant specified in the particular application. A copy of all other 
filings in reference to this application must be accompanied by proof 
of service on all persons listed in the service list prepared by the 
Commission in this proceeding, in accordance with 18 CFR 4.34(b) and 
385.2010.
    o. Procedural Schedule:
    The application will be processed in conjunction with the Merced 
Falls Hydroelectric Project application (P-2467-020) and according to 
the following revised Hydro Licensing Schedule. Revisions to the 
schedule may be made as appropriate.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Milestone                           Target date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Filing of recommendations, preliminary   May, 2014.
 terms and conditions, and preliminary
 fishway prescriptions.
Commission issues Draft EA or EIS......  November, 2014.
Comments on Draft EA or EIS............  January, 2015.
Modified Terms and Conditions..........  March, 2015.
Commission Issues Final EA or EIS......  June, 2015.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    p. Final amendments to the application must be filed with the 
Commission no later than 30 days from the issuance date of this notice.
    q. A license applicant must file no later than 60 days following 
the date of issuance of the notice of acceptance and ready for 
environmental analysis provided for in 5.22: (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 agency received the 
request; or (3) evidence of waiver of water quality certification.

    Dated: March 24, 2014.
 Kimberly D. Bose,
 Secretary .
[FR Doc. 2014-07305 Filed 4-1-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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