Sabine River Authority of Texas, Sabine River Authority, State of Louisiana; Notice of Application Accepted for Filing and Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Protests

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

a. Type of Application: Temporary Variance of License.

b. Project No.: 2305-056.

c. Date Filed: July 29, 2016.

d. Applicants: Sabine River Authority of Texas, Sabine River Authority, State of Louisiana.

e. Name of Project: Toledo Bend Hydroelectric Project.

f. Location: On the Sabine River on the Texas-Louisiana border in Panola, Shelby, Sabine, and Newton counties in Texas, and DeSoto, Sabine, and Vernon parishes in Louisiana.

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

h. Applicant Contact: Jim Brown, Compliance Officer, Toledo Bend Project Joint Operation, Sabine River Authority, Texas, P.O. Box 579, Orange, TX 77631-0579, (409) 746-2192, jbrown@sratx.org.

i. FERC Contact: Steve Sachs, (202) 502-8666, Steven.Sachs@ferc.gov.

j. Deadline for filing comments, motions to intervene, and protests is 14 days from the issuance of this notice by the Commission. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please file comments, motions to intervene, and protests using the Commission's eFiling system at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp . Commenters can submit brief comments up to 6,000 characters, without prior registration, using the eComment system at http://www.ferc.gov/doc-sfiling/ecomment.asp . You must include your name and contact information at the end of your comments. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, (866) 208-3676 (toll free), or (202) 502-8659 (TTY). In lieu of electronic filing, please send a paper copy to: Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426. The first page of any filing should include docket number P-2305-056.

k. Description of Request: The applicants request a temporary variance of the continuous flow releases required by Article 402 of the license. Specifically, the applicants request that the Commission grant them a temporary variance to continue the 144 cubic feet per second release from the existing bypass conduits until the applicants complete the spillway refurbishment project. The ongoing refurbishment project necessitates vehicular access to the spillway apron and releasing the required continuous flows from the spillway gates, as proposed in their Spillway Flow Release Plan would prevent the vehicular access. The applicants expect to complete the work by October 31, 2016, but state that they would implement the targeted continuous flows immediately if they are able to complete construction sooner.

l. Locations of the Applications: A copy of the application is available for inspection and reproduction at the Commission's Public Reference Room, located at 888 First Street NE., Room 2A, Washington, DC 20426, or by calling (202) 502-8371. The filing may also be viewed on the Commission's Web site at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/elibrary.asp . Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. You may also register online at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp to be notified via email of new filings and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, call 1-866-208-3676 or email FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, for TTY, call (202) 502-8659.

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

n. Comments, Motions to Intervene, or Protests: Anyone may submit comments, a motion to intervene, or a protest 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, motions to intervene, or protests must be received on or before the specified comment date for the particular application.

o. Filing and Service of Responsive Documents: Any filing must (1) bear in all capital letters the title “COMMENTS”, “MOTION TO INTERVENE”, or “PROTEST” as applicable; (2) set forth in the heading the name of the applicant and the project number of the application to which the filing responds; (3) furnish the name, address, and telephone number of the person protesting or intervening; and (4) otherwise comply with the requirements of 18 CFR 385.2001 through 385.2005. All comments, motions to intervene, or protests must set forth their evidentiary basis and otherwise comply with the requirements of 18 CFR 4.34(b). All comments, motions to intervene, or protests should relate to project works which are the subject of the temporary variance request. Agencies may obtain copies of the application directly from the applicant. A copy of any protest or motion to intervene must be served upon each representative of the applicant specified in the particular application. 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. A copy of all other filings in reference to this application must be accompanied by proof of service on all persons listed in the service list prepared by the Commission in this proceeding, in accordance with 18 CFR 4.34(b) and 385.2010.