2020-20173. Town of Wells; Notice of Intent To File License Application, Filing of Pre-Application Document, Approving Use of the Traditional Licensing Process

a. Type of Filing: Notice of Intent to File License Application and Request to Use the Traditional Licensing Process.

b. Project No.: 7274-034.

c. Date Filed: July 28, 2020.

d. Submitted By: Town of Wells.

e. Name of Project: Lake Algonquin Hydroelectric Project.

f. Location: On the Sacandaga River in the Town of Wells, Hamilton County, New York. The project does not occupy any federal land.

g. Filed Pursuant to: 18 CFR 5.3 of the Commission's regulations.

h. Potential Applicant Contact: Nicholas Mauro, Town of Wells, 1438 State Route 30, Wells, NY 12190; [phone]; email—[e-mail].

i. FERC Contact: Samantha Pollak at [phone]; or email at [e-mail].

j. The Town of Wells filed its request to use the Traditional Licensing Process on July 28, 2020. The Town of Wells provided public notice of its request on July 20, 2020. In a letter dated September 8, 2020, the Director of the Division of Hydropower Licensing approved the Town of Wells' request to use the Traditional Licensing Process.

k. With this notice, we are initiating informal consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act and the joint agency regulations thereunder at 50 CFR, Part 402. We are also initiating consultation with the New York State Historic Preservation Officer, as required by section 106, National Historic Preservation Act, and the implementing regulations of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation at 36 CFR 800.2.

l. With this notice, we are designating the Town of Wells as the Commission's non-federal representative for carrying out informal consultation pursuant to section 7 of the Endangered Species Act and consultation pursuant to section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

m. The Town of Wells filed a Pre-Application Document (PAD; including a proposed process plan and schedule) with the Commission, pursuant to 18 CFR 5.6 of the Commission's regulations.

n. A copy of the PAD may be viewed on the Commission's website (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. At this time, the Commission has suspended access to the Commission's Public Reference Room, due to the proclamation declaring a National Emergency concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), issued by the President on March 13, 2020. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support at [e-mail], [phone] (toll free), or [phone] (TTY).

o. The licensee states its unequivocal intent to submit an application for a subsequent license for Project No. 7274. Pursuant to 18 CFR 16.20, each application for a subsequent license and any competing license applications must be filed with the Commission at least 24 months prior to the expiration of the existing license. All applications for license for this project must be filed by July 31, 2023.

p. Register online at http://www.ferc.gov/​docs-filing/​esubscription.asp to be notified via email of new filing and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support.

Dated: September 8, 2020.

Kimberly D. Bose,

Secretary.