2018-01791. Alaska Department of Fish and Game; Notice of Application Accepted for Filing, Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, Protests, Recommendations, and Terms and Conditions

Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection:

a. Type of Application: Conduit Exemption.

b. Project No.: 14785-000.

c. Date Filed: October 18, 2017.

d. Applicant: Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

e. Name of Project: Hidden Falls Lake Hydroelectric Project.

f. Location: The project is located on Eastern Baranof Island in the City of Sitka Borough, approximately 20 miles northeast of the Sitka, Alaska.

g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 791a-825r.

h. Applicant Contact: Mr. Scott Wagner, NSRAA, 1308 Sawmill Creek Road, Sitka, AK 99835, [phone].

i. FERC Contact: Christopher Chaney, [phone], or [e-mail].

j. Status of Environmental Analysis: This application is ready for environmental analysis at this time, and the Commission is requesting comments, reply comments, recommendations, terms and conditions, and prescriptions.

k. Deadline for filing responsive documents: The Commission directs, pursuant to section 4.34(b) of the Regulations (see Order No. 533, issued May 8, 1991, 56 FR 23,108 (May 20, 1991)) that all comments, motions to intervene, protests, recommendations, terms and conditions, and prescriptions concerning the application be filed with the Commission: 60 days from the issuance of this notice. All reply comments must be filed with the Commission: 105 days from the issuance of this notice.

The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please file comments, motions to intervene, and protests using the Commission's eFiling system at http://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 http://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 [e-mail], [phone] (toll free), or [phone] (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-14785-000.

The Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure 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.

l. Description of Project: The proposed Hidden Falls Lake Hydroelectric Project would consist of: (1) An existing, approximately 18-foot by 24-foot powerhouse containing one existing 250-kilowatt (kW) turbine/generating unit; (2) a proposed, approximately 27-foot by 31-foot powerhouse containing one proposed 80-kW turbine/generating unit; and (3) appurtenant facilities. The applicant estimates the project would have an average annual generation of 1,401,600 kW-hours.

m. Locations of the Application: A copy of the application is available for inspection and reproduction at the Commission's Public Reference Room, located at 888 First Street NE, Room 2A, Washington, DC 20426, or by calling [phone]. This filing may also be viewed on the Commission's website at http://www.ferc.gov/​docs-filing/​elibrary.asp. Enter the docket number, P-14785, in the docket number field to access the document. You may also register online at http://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 1-866-208-3676 or email [e-mail], for TTY, call [phone]. A copy is also available for inspection and reproduction at the address in item (h) above.

n. Development Application: Any qualified applicant desiring to file a competing application must submit to the Commission, on or before the specified deadline date for the particular application, a competing development application, or a notice of intent to file such an application. Submission of a timely notice of intent allows an interested person to file the competing development application no later than 120 days after the specified deadline date for the particular application. Applications for preliminary permits will not be accepted in response to this notice.

o. 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.

p. Filing and Service of Responsive Documents: Any filing must (1) bear in all capital letters the title COMMENTS, PROTEST, MOTION TO INTERVENE, 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 protesting or intervening; and (4) otherwise comply with the requirements of 18 CFR 385.2001 through 385.2005. All comments, motions to intervene, or protests 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. If an intervener 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. 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.

Dated: January 24, 2018.

Kimberly D. Bose,

Secretary.