01-31237. Notice of Application Accepted for Filing and Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Protests

December 13, 2001.

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

a. Type of Application: Preliminary Permit.

b. Project No.: 12135-000.

c. Date filed: November 1, 2001.

d. Applicants: South Fork Irrigation District and Hot Springs Valley Irrigation District.

e. Name of Project: West Valley Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project.

f. Location: The project would utilize the Bureau of Land Management's existing Moon Lake, also known as Tule Lake, on Cedar Creek, and lands within Modoc National Forest in Lassen and Modoc Counties, California.

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

h. Applicant Contact: Mr. Don R. Pope, 9709 W. Fairview Avenue, Littleton, CO 80127-3955, [phone].

i. FERC Contact: Mr. James Hunter, [phone].

j. Deadline for filing motions to intervene, protests, and comments: 60 days from the issue date of this notice.

All documents (original and eight copies) should be filed with: Linwood A. Watson, Jr., Acting Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE, Washington DC 20426. Comments, protests and interventions 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.gov under the “e-Filing” link. Please include the project number (P-12135-000) on any comments or motions filed.

k. Description of Project: The proposed pumped storage project would utilize the existing Moon Lake Dam and Reservoir, which are proposed to serve as the upper reservoir, and would consist of: (1) A proposed 90-foot-high, 650-foot-long concrete dam, (2) a proposed reservoir having a surface area of 184 acres at normal water surface elevation 4,950 feet msl, the proposed lower reservoir, (3) a proposed 16,000-foot-long tunnel connecting the reservoirs, (4) a proposed underground powerhouse, containing four generating units with a total installed capacity of 264 megawatts, (5) a proposed 5-mile-long, 230-kilovolt transmission line, and (6) appurtenant facilities. The project would have an annual generation of 542.9 gigawatthours that would be sold to a local utility.

l. Copies of this filing are on file with the Commission and are available for public inspection. This filing may also be viewed on the Web at http://www.ferc.gov using the “RIMS” link, select “Docket#” and follow the instructions (call 202-208-2222 for assistance). A copy is also available for inspection and reproduction at the address in item h. above.

m. Preliminary Permit—Anyone desiring to file a competing application for preliminary permit for a proposed project must submit the competing application itself, or a notice of intent to file such an application, to the Commission on or before the specified comment date for the particular application (see 18 CFR 4.36). Submission of a timely notice of intent allows an interested person to file the competing preliminary permit application no later than 30 days after the specified comment date for the particular application. A competing preliminary permit application must conform with 18 CFR 4.30(b) and 4.36.

n. Preliminary Permit—Any qualified development applicant desiring to file a competing development application must submit to the Commission, on or before a specified comment date for the particular application, either a competing development application or a notice of intent to file such an application. Submission of a timely notice of intent to file a development application allows an interested person to file the competing application no later than 120 days after the specified comment date for the particular application. A competing license application must conform with 18 CFR 4.30(b) and 4.36.

o. Notice of intent—A notice of intent must specify the exact name, business address, and telephone number of the prospective applicant, and must include an unequivocal statement of intent to submit, if such an application may be filed, either a preliminary permit application or a development application (specify which type of application). A notice of intent must be served on the applicant(s) named in this public notice.

p. Proposed Scope of Studies under Permit—A preliminary permit, if issued, does not authorize construction. The term of the proposed preliminary permit would be 36 months. The work proposed under the preliminary permit would include economic analysis, preparation of preliminary engineering plans, and a study of environmental impacts. Based on the results of these studies, the Applicant would decide whether to proceed with the preparation of a development application to construct and operate the project.

q. Individuals desiring to be included on the Commission's mailing list should so indicate by writing to the Secretary of the Commission.

r. 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.

s. Filing and Service of Responsive Documents—Any filings must bear in all capital letters the title “COMMENTS”, “RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS”, “PROTEST”, OR “MOTION TO INTERVENE”, as applicable, and the Project Number of the particular application to which the filing refers. A copy of any motion to intervene must also be served upon each representative of the Applicant specified in the particular application.

t. Agency Comments—Federal, state, and local agencies are invited to file comments on the described application. A copy of the application may be obtained by agencies directly from the Applicant. If an agency does not file comments within the time specified for filing comments, it will be presumed to have no comments. One copy of an agency's comments must also be sent to the Applicant's representatives.

Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,

Acting Secretary.