E6-19928. Notice of Application Accepted for Filing and Soliciting Comments, Protests, and Motions To Intervene

November 16, 2006.

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

a. Type of Application: Preliminary Permit.

b. Project No.: 12745-000.

c. Date filed: October 5, 2006.

d. Applicant: Modesto Irrigation District and Turlock Irrigation District.

e. Name and Location of Project: The proposed Don Pedro Pumped Storage Project would be located on the Tuolumne River, Don Pedro Reservoir, Tuolumne County, California.

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

g. Applicant contact: Donald H. Clarke, Law Offices of GKRSE, 1500 K Street, NW., Suite 330, Washington, DC 20005, [phone].

h. FERC Contact: Tom Papsidero, [phone].

i. Deadline for filing comments, protests, and motions to intervene: January 23, 2007.

All documents (original and eight 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-12745-000) 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.

j. Description of Existing Facilities and Proposed Project: The proposed project would consist of the following new facilities: Alternative A—(1) an upper reservoir with a maximum storage capacity of 25,000 acre-feet and a surface area of 1,114 acres at normal water surface elevation of 1,565 feet above mean sea level (msl); (2) a one-half mile-long, 34-foot-diameter tunnel to connect the upper reservoir with the existing Don Pedro Reservoir; (3) a powerhouse with pump/turbines having an installed capacity of approximately 880 megawatts (MW); (4) an intake on the existing Don Pedro Reservoir, which would be used as the lower reservoir; (5) a 47-mile-long, 230-kilovolt transmission line. Alternative A of the proposed project would have an annual generation of 1,541,000 MWh. Alternative B—(1) an upper reservoir with a maximum storage capacity of 13,000 acre-feet and a surface area of 166 acres at normal water surface elevation of 1,560 feet above mean sea level (msl); (2) a 1.1-mile-long, 25-foot-diameter tunnel to connect the upper reservoir with the existing Don Pedro Reservoir; (3) a powerhouse with pump/turbines having an installed capacity of approximately 440 MW; (4) an intake on the existing Don Pedro Reservoir, which would be used as the lower reservoir; (5) a 47-mile-long, 230-kilovolt transmission line. Alternative B of the proposed project would have an annual generation of 770,000 MWh.

k. Location of Applications: A copy of the application is available for inspection and reproduction 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, 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 g above.

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

m. Competing Preliminary Permit—Anyone desiring to file a competing application for preliminary permit for a proposed project must submit the competing application itself, or a notice of intent to file such an application, to the Commission on or before the specified comment date for the particular application (see 18 CFR 4.36). Submission of a timely notice of intent allows an interested person to file the competing preliminary permit application no later than 30 days after the specified comment date for the particular application. A competing preliminary permit application must conform with 18 CFR 4.30(b) and 4.36.

n. Competing Development Application—Any qualified development applicant desiring to file a competing development application must submit to the Commission, on or before a specified comment date for the particular application, either a competing development application or a notice of intent to file such an application. Submission of a timely notice of intent to file a development application allows an interested person to file the competing application no later than 120 days after the specified comment date for the particular application. A competing license application must conform with 18 CFR 4.30(b) and 4.36.

o. Notice of Intent—A notice of intent must specify the exact name, business address, and telephone number of the prospective applicant, and must include an unequivocal statement of intent to submit, if such an application may be filed, either a preliminary permit application or a development application (specify which type of application). A notice of intent must be served on the applicant(s) named in this public notice.

p. Proposed Scope of Studies under Permit—A preliminary permit, if issued, does not authorize construction. The term of the proposed preliminary permit would be 36 months. The work proposed under the preliminary permit would include economic analysis, preparation of preliminary engineering plans, and a study of environmental impacts. Based on the results of these studies, the Applicant would decide whether to proceed with the preparation of a development application to construct and operate the project.

q. 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.

r. Filing and Service of Responsive Documents—Any filings must bear in all capital letters the title “COMMENTS”, “NOTICE OF INTENT TO FILE COMPETING APPLICATION”, “COMPETING APPLICATION”, “PROTEST”, 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. An additional copy must be sent to Director, Division of Hydropower Administration and Compliance, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, at the above-mentioned address. A copy of any notice of intent, competing application or motion to intervene must also be served upon each representative of the Applicant specified in the particular application.

s. 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.