Notice of Applications Accepted for Filing and Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Protests

Take notice that the following hydroelectric applications have been filed with the Commission and are available for public inspection:

a. Type of Applications: Preliminary permit (competing).

b. Applicants, Project Numbers, and Dates Filed:

Gibson Dam Hydroelectric Company, LLC filed the application for Project No. 12478-000 on October 29, 2003.

Gibson Dam Hydro, LLC filed the application for Project No.12479-000 on November 3, 2003.

c. Name of the project is Gibson Dam Project. The project would be located on North Fork Sun Fork in Teton and Lewis and Clark Counties, Montana. It would use the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's Gibson Dam.

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

e. Applicants Contacts: For Gibson Dam Hydroelectric Company, LLC: Mr. Steven C. Marmon, Project Manager Gibson Dam Hydroelectric Company, LLC, 3633 Alderwood Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225, (360) 738-9999. For Gibson Dam Hydro, LLC: Mr. Brent L. Smith, Northwest Power Services Inc., P.O. Box 535, Rigby, ID 83442, (208) 752-0834.

f. FERC Contact: Robert Bell, (202) 502-6062.

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

The Commission's rules of practice and procedure require all interveners 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 intervener 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.

h. Description of Projects: The project proposed by Gibson Dam Hydroelectric Company, LLC using the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's Gibson Dam and operated in a run-of-river mode and would consist of: (1) Two proposed 300-foot-long, steel penstocks, (2) a powerhouse containing two generating units having a total installed capacity of 15 megawatts, (3) a proposed 34.5 kilovolt underground transmission line, and (4) appurtenant facilities. The Gibson Dam Hydroelectric Company, LLC project would have an average annual generation of 50 gigawatt-hours.

The project proposed by Gibson Dam Hydro, LLC using the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's Gibson Dam and operated in a run-of-river mode and would consist of: (1) A proposed 100-foot-long, 120-inch-diameter steel penstock, (2) a proposed powerhouse containing two generating units with a total installed capacity of 16 megawatts, (3) a proposed 1-mile-long, 14.7 kilovolt transmission line, and (4) appurtenant facilities. The Gibson Dam Hydro, LLC project would have an average annual generation of 45 gigawatt-hours.

i. Locations of Applications: A copy of the application is available for inspection and reproduction at the Commission in the Public Reference Room, located at 888 First Street, NE., Room 2A, Washington DC 20426, or by calling (202) 502-8371. This filing may also 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 FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. For TTY, call (202) 502-8659. A copy is also available for inspection and reproduction at the address in item h. above.

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

k. 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.

l. 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.

m. 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.

n. 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.

o. 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.

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 “e-filing” link. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing.

p. Filing and Service of Responsive Documents—Any filings must bear in all capital letters the title “COMMENTS”, “RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS”, “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. A copy of any motion to intervene must also be served upon each representative of the Applicant specified in the particular application.

q. 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.