E9-21112. Ha-Best Inc.; Notice Soliciting Scoping Comments

August 26, 2009.

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

a. Type of Application: Original Major License.

b. Project No.: P-12492-001.

c. Date Filed: July 31, 2008.

d. Applicant: Ha-Best Inc.

e. Name of Project: Miner Shoal Waterpower Project.

f. Location: The proposed project is located on the Soque River, near the Town of Demorest, Habersham County, Georgia. The proposed project does not occupy federal lands.

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

h. Applicant Contact: Don Ferguson, 34 West Jarrard Street, Cleveland, GA 30528; Telephone [phone].

i. FERC Contact: Janet Hutzel, Telephone [phone], or by e-mail at [e-mail].

j. Deadline for Filing Scoping Comments: September 25, 2009.

All documents may be filed electronically via the Internet. 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 “eFiling” link. For a simpler method of submitting text only comments, click on “Quick Comment.” For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at [e-mail]; call toll-free at [phone]; or, for TTY, contact [phone]. Although the Commission strongly encourages electronic filing, documents may also be paper-filed. To paper-file, mail an original and eight copies to: 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.

k. This application is not ready for environmental analysis at this time.

l. The proposed Minor Shoal Project would consists of the following: (1) An existing 5-foot-high, 80-foot-long diversion dam; (2) an existing 92-foot-long, 7-foot-diameter steel penstock; (3) a new 160-foot-long, 7-foot-diameter steel penstock from the diversion dam tying in to the existing penstock at elevation 1,228 feet mean sea level; (4) two existing powerhouses containing a total of three turbines with a total installed capacity of 1,260 kilowatts; (5) an existing 446-foot-long, 230-kilovolt transmission line and (6) appurtenant facilities. The project would have an annual generation of 2,175,000 kilowatt-hours.

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 address the document. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support. A copy is available for inspection and reproduction at the address in Item H above.

n. 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.

o. Scoping Process.

The Commission staff intends to prepare a single Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Miner Shoal Waterpower Project in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. The EA will consider both site-specific and cumulative environmental impacts and reasonable alternatives to the proposed action.

Commission staff does not propose to conduct any on-site scoping meetings at this time. Instead, we are soliciting comments, recommendations, and information, on the Scoping Document (SD) issued on August 26, 2007.

Copies of the SD outlining the subject areas to be addressed in the EA were distributed to the parties on the Commission's mailing list and the applicant's distribution list. Copies of the SD may be viewed on the Web 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, call 1-866-208-3676 or for TTY, [phone].

Kimberly D. Bose,

Secretary.