00-31862. Notice of Application Ready for Environmental Analysis and Soliciting Comments, Recommendations, Terms and Conditions, and Prescriptions

December 7, 2000.

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

a. Type of Application: Major New License.

b. Project No.: P-2631-007.

c. Date Filed: August 31, 1999.

d. Applicant: International Paper Company.

e. Name of Project: Woronoco Hydroelectric Project.

f. Location: On the Westfield River in the Town of Russell, Hampden County, Massachusetts. No federal lands are affected by the proposed project.

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

h. Applicant Contact:

Ted Lewellyn, P.E., International Paper Company, Paper Mill Road, Millers Falls, MA 01349, [phone]

Michael K. Chapman, Esq., International Paper Company, 6400 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38197, [phone]

Jon Christensen, Kleinschmidt Associates, 75 Main Street, Pittsfield, ME 04967, [phone]

i. FERC Contact: Allan Creamer, [phone], [e-mail].

j. Deadline for Comments, Recommendations, Terms and Conditions, and Prescriptions: 60 days from the issuance of this notice.

All documents (original and eight copies) should be filed with: David P. Boergers, 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.

Protests, comments on filings, comments on environmental assessments and environmental impact statements, and reply comments may be filed electronically via the internet in lieu of paper. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's web site at http://www.ferc.fed.us/​efi/​doorbell.htm.

k. Status of Environmental Analysis: This application has been accepted for filing, and, pursuant to § 4.30(b)(25), is ready for environmental analysis at this time.

l. Description of Project: The proposed run-of-river project would consist of the following features: (1) Two non-contiguous dam sections, with lengths of about 307 feet (North dam) and 351 feet (South dam), and a crest elevation of 229 feet NGVD; (2) a 655-foot-long earthen dike with a sheet steel core; (3) a 40-foot-wide by 15-foot-high intake structure, having trashracks with 1.25-inch clear bar spacing; (4) a 550-foot-long penstock; (5) a powerhouse containing three Francis turbines and generating units, having an installed capacity of 2,700 kW; (6) a 43-acre impoundment that extends approximately 1.2 miles upstream; (7) an interim downstream fish passage facility; and (8) appurtenant facilities. The applicant estimates that the total average annual generation would be approximately 7,700 MWh.

m. Availability of Application: A copy of the application, as supplemented, is available for inspection and reproduction at the Commission's Public Reference and Files and Maintenance Branch, located at 888 First Street, NE., Room 2-A, Washington, DC 20426, or by calling [phone]. The application may be viewed at http://www.ferc.fed.us./​online/​rims.htm,, or call [phone] for assistance. A copy of the application, as supplemented, is also available for inspection and reproduction at International Power Company, Paper Mill Road, Millers Falls, Massachusetts 01349 and through the Town of Russell, Robert P. Drake, Chairman, Board of Selectman, Town of Russell, Russell, Massachusetts 01071

n. Filing and Service of Responsive Documents—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. All reply comments must be filed with the Commission within 105 days from the date of this notice.

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. 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.

Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,

Acting Secretary.