03-3144. Notice of Application Ready for Environmental Analysis and Soliciting Comments, Recommendations, Terms and Conditions, and Prescriptions

February 4, 2003.

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

a. Type of Application: New Major License.

b. Project No.: P-5334-019.

c. Date filed: October 2, 2001.

d. Applicant: Charter Township of Ypsilanti.

e. Name of Project: Ford Lake Hydroelectric Station.

f. Location: On the Huron River, Washtenaw County, within the township of Ypsilanti, Michigan. The project does not affect Federal lands.

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

h. Applicant Contact: Ms. Joann Brinker, Administrative Services/Human Resources Director, Charter Township of Ypsilanti, 7200 South Huron River Driver, Ypsilanti, Mi 48197, [phone].

i. FERC Contact: Monte TerHaar, [phone] or [e-mail].

j. Deadline for filing 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: Magalie R. Salas, 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.

Comments, recommendations, terms and conditions, and prescriptions may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site ( http://www.ferc.gov ) under the “e-Filing” link.

k. This application has been accepted, and is ready for environmental analysis at this time.

l. The existing Ford Lake Hydroelectric Project consists of: (1) A 1,050 acre reservoir; (2) a 110-foot-long earth embankment dam; (3) a 46.5-foot-long powerhouse with 2 hydroelectric turbines; (4) a 172-foot-long spillway with six bays, each with a 6-foot by 8-foot sluice gate; (5) a 380-foot-long earth embankment; (6) a 175-foot-long emergency spillway; (7) two vertical shaft turbine/generator units with an installed capacity of 1,920 kilowatts at normal pool elevation; and (8) appurtenant facilities. The project operates run-of-river with a normal reservoir elevation maintained between 684.4 and 684.9 feet mean sea level. Average annual generation between 1995 and 2000 has been 8,664 megawatthours. Generated power is sold to Detroit Power. No new facilities are proposed.

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 http://www.ferc.gov using the “FERRIS” link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support at [e-mail] or toll-free at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY, [phone]. A copy is also available for inspection and reproduction at the address in item h above.

n. 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.

o. The current schedule for preparing the subject EA is as follows:

Milestone: Target Date.

Issue Notice of Ready for Environmental Analysis: January 2003.

Deadline for Filing Agency Recommendations March 2003.

Issue Notice of availability of EA: May 2003.

Public Comments on EA Due: August 2003.

Ready for Commission decision on the applicationSeptember 2003.

Magalie R. Salas,

Secretary.