E9-14455. Domtar Maine Corporation; Notice of Application Accepted for Filing and Soliciting Motions To Intervene and Protests

June 15, 2009.

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

a. Type of Application: New License.

b. Project No.: 2618-020.

c. Date Filed: March 19, 2009.

d. Applicant: Domtar Maine Corporation.

e. Name of Project: West Branch Project.

f. Location: On Grand Lake Stream, a tributary of the St Croix River in Penobscot, Washington and Hancock Counties, Maine.

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

h. Applicant Contact: Mr. Scott Beal, Domtar Maine Corporation, 144 Main Street, Baileyville, Maine 04694 [phone].

i. FERC Contact: John Costello, [phone].

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

All documents (original and eight copies) should be filed with: Kimberly D. Bose, 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.

Motions to intervene and protests 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/​docs-filing/​ferconline.asp) under the “e-filing” link. For a simpler method of submitting text only comments, click on “Quick Comment.”

k. This application has been accepted, but is not ready for environmental analysis at this time.

l. The existing West Branch Project includes two developments (Sysladobsis and West Grand) comprising two dams and a dike. There are no generating facilities located at the project.

The Sysladobsis development includes the 250-foot-long by 9-foot-high Sysladobsis Dam (the furthest upstream), an earth embankment structure with a timber gate and fish facility. The dam impounds the 5,400-acre Sysladobsis Lake and discharges directly into the West Grand development.

The West Grand development includes the 487-foot-long West Grand Dam which has a 105.9-foot-long gate structure with five waste gates. A vertical slot design upstream fish passage facility is located adjacent to the dam's waste gate No.1. The 23,500 acre impounded waters are comprised of West Grand, Junior, Pocumcus, Pug, Bottle, Norway, and Scraggly lakes.

The approximately 535-foot-long by 15-foot-high Farm Cove Dike is located approximately 3.5 miles west of the main outlet dam to West Grand Lake. The dike comprises a 10-foot-wide by 30-foot-long fishway. The dike has no gates or other flow controls; the only flow passing capability is through the fishway.

No new construction is proposed for the project.

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 “eLibrary” 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.

You may also register online at http://www.ferc.gov/​docs-filing/​esubscription.asp to be notified via e-mail of new filings and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support.

n. Anyone may submit a protest or a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.210, 385.211, and 385.214. In determining the appropriate action to take, the Commission will consider all protests 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 protests or motions to intervene must be received on or before the specified deadline date for the particular application.

All filings must (1) bear in all capital letters the title “PROTEST” or “MOTION TO INTERVENE;” (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. 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.

Kimberly D. Bose,

Secretary.