02-21902. Notice of Temporary Variance Request and Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Protests

August 22, 2002.

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

a. Type of Application: Request for Temporary Variance of Minimum Flow Requirement.

b. Project No.: 405-056.

c. Date Filed: August 15, 2002.

d. Applicant: Susquehanna Electric Company.

e. Name of Project: Conowingo Project.

f. Location: On the Susquehanna River, in Harford and Cecil Counties, Maryland and York and Lancaster Counties, Pennsylvania. The project does not utilize federal or tribal lands.

g. Filed Pursuant to: 18 CFR 4.200.

h. Applicant Contact: John J. McCormick, Jr., Plant Manager, Susquehanna Electric Company, 2569 Shures Landing Road, Darlington, MD 21034, [phone].

i. FERC Contact: John K. Novak, [e-mail], [phone].

j. Deadline for filing comments, motions to intervene and protest: September 6, 2002.

Please include the project number (P-405-056) on any comments or motions filed. All documents (original and seven copies) should be filed with: Magalie R. Salas, 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 under the “e-filing” link. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings. Please include the project number (P-405-056) on any comments or motions filed.

The Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure require all intervenors filing documents with the Commission to serve a copy of that document on each person in 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.

k. Description of Application: Susquehanna Electric Company (SEC) has requested Commission approval of a variance of the minimum flow requirement of the project license. Due to drought conditions and low river flows in the Susquehanna River, SEC requests that it be allowed immediately to include plant leakage of about 800 cubic feet per second (cfs) in the required minimum flow discharge until November 30, 2002, or until flow conditions improve where the Conowingo Project no longer requires leakage be included as part of the minimum flow requirement. According to the license, for the period June 1 through September 14, annually, SEC must provide a minimum flow release (not including leakage) below the dam of 5,000 cfs, or inflow (as measured at the USGS gage at Marietta, PA), whichever is less. During the fall period, September 15 through November 30, SEC is required to release a minimum flow of 3,500 cfs not including leakage, or inflow to the project whichever is less, as measured at the Marietta gage.

The SEC is concerned about the ability of the Conowingo Project to maintain an adequate pond level and storage capacity during the current low flow period. Maintaining storage is necessary for generation and to ensure an adequate water supply for recreational and consumptive uses of the Conowingo Reservoir to include operation of Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station and Muddy Run Pumped Storage Project. Including plant leakage in the minimum flow discharge will contribute to the maintenance of these project water uses during this low flow period. During the period of the minimum flow variance the SEC will conduct daily monitoring of the Susquehanna River below the project for potential environmental effects. If any abnormal or adverse conditions are observed the SEC will promptly notify the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

l. Locations of the Application: Copies of this filing are on file with the Commission and are available for public inspection. This filing 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 call [phone] or for TTY [phone].

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

Protests or Motions to Intervene—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 385.2114. 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.

Filing and Service of Responsive Documents—Any filings must bear in all capital letters the title “COMMENTS”, “RECOMMENDATION FOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS”, “PROTESTS, OR MOTION TO INTERVENE”, as applicable, and the Project Number of the particular application to which the filing refers. Any of the above-named documents must be filed by providing the original and the number of copies provided by the Commission's regulations to: The Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. A copy of any motion to intervene must also be served upon each representative of the Applicant specified in the particular application.

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.,

Deputy Secretary.