E4-279. Notice of Application for Surrender of License and Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Protests

February 9, 2004.

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

a. Application Type: Surrender of Minor License.

b. Project No.: 8615-024.

c. Date Filed: January 27, 2004.

d. Applicant: Fiske Hydro, Inc.

e. Name of Project: Fiske Mill Hydroelectric Project.

f. Location: The project is located on the Ashuelot River in Cheshire County, New Hampshire. No federal lands would be affected.

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

h. Applicant Contact: Mr. Howard M. Moffett, Orr & Reno, P.A., One Eagle Square, Concord, NH 03301, [phone].

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

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 comments and or motions: March 12, 2004.

All documents (original and eight copies) should be filed with: Ms. Magalie Roman Salas, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. Please include the project number (P-8615-024) on any comments or motions filed.

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. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings.

l. Description of Request: Fiske Hydro proposes to surrender the license for the 810-kilowatt Fiske Mill Project. As part of its request, Fiske Hydro proposes to remove a 140-foot section of the spillway to natural streambed to provide permanent fish passage. A 25-foot section of the dam, adjacent to the powerhouse on the north bank of the river, will remain intact to preserve evidence of the design and construction of the historic structure. The partial removal of the dam will result in a lowering of the Fiske Mill impoundment directly upstream of the dam by as much as 15 feet. The partial dam removal will make the Ashuelot River basin available as riverine habitat to anadromous fish using the Connecticut River basin.

m. Location of the Application: This filing is available for review and reproduction at the Commission in the Public Reference Room, Room 2A, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. The filing may also be viewed on the Web http://wwww.ferc.gov at using the “eLibrary” link. Enter the docket number, here P-8615, in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, call toll-free 1-866-208-3676 or e-mail [e-mail]. For TTY, call [phone]. A copy is also available for inspection and reproduction at the address in item (h) above and at the Town Hall in Hinsdale, New Hampshire.

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

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 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.

q. 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.

Magalie R. Salas,

Secretary.