2016-29226. Brookfield White Pine Hydro, LLC; 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. Type of Application: Application for Temporary Variance of Minimum Flow Requirements.

b. Project No.: 11834-065.

c. Date Filed: November 23, 2016.

d. Applicant: Brookfield White Pine Hydro, LLC (licensee).

e. Name of Project: Upper and Middle Dams Storage Hydroelectric Project.

f. Location: Rapid River in Oxford and Franklin counties, Maine.

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

h. Applicant Contact: Kelly Maloney, Manager, Licensing and Compliance, Brookfield White Pine Hydro LLC, 150 Main Street, Lewiston, ME 04240, Phone: [phone].

i. FERC Contact: Robert Ballantine, [phone], or [e-mail].

j. Deadline for filing comments, motions to intervene, protests, and recommendations is 30 days from the issuance date of this notice (by December 29, 2016). The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please file motions to intervene, protests, comments, or recommendations 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. Please include the project number (P-11834-065) on any comments, motions to intervene, protests, or recommendations filed.

k. Description of Request: The licensee requests a temporary variance of the minimum flow requirements in the Rapid River below the Middle Dam development due to drought conditions. License Article 402, in part, requires the licensee to release from September 16 through the start of the spring refill of Richardson Lake, a minimum flow of 472 cubic feet per second (cfs). The licensee explains that due to drought conditions, Richardson Lake is below its long term average. Considering a dry long term precipitation forecast and the impending winter freeze up, the licensee is concerned that the reservoir may not refill by spring as intended, which could cause additional water level and minimum flow issues in the spring of 2017. Therefore in order to conserve as much fall runoff as possible, the licensee is requesting to reduce the minimum flow to 200 cfs until April 23, 2017, at which time a minimum flow of 382 cfs would be released in accordance with the requirements of Article 402.

l. 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 Web site at http://www.ferc.gov/​docs-filing/​elibrary.asp. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits 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.

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

n. 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.

o. Filing and Service of Responsive Documents: Any filing must (1) bear in all capital letters the title “COMMENTS”, “PROTEST”, or “MOTION TO INTERVENE” as applicable; (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). All comments, motions to intervene, or protests should relate to project works which are the subject of proposed action. 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: November 29, 2016.

Kimberly D. Bose,

Secretary.