Notice of Filing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Columbia Basin Hydropower
Columbia Basin Hydropower
Banks Lake Pumped Storage Project
FERC No. 14329
Columbia Basin Hydropower (CBHP or Applicant) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) hereby gives notice of its intent to seek an original license for the Banks Lake Pumped Storage Project, FERC No. (Project). The proposed Project will be located near Grand Coulee, in Grant and Douglas Counties, Washington. The Applicant's address is 457 1st Avenue NW, PO Box 219, Ephrata, WA 98823; phone number is 509-754-2227.
On June 27, 2016, CBHP filed with the FERC its pre-application document (PAD). The PAD summarizes relevant and available information regarding the proposed Project facilities and operation along with discussions of the potential operational effects on environmental and cultural resources. The PAD is available for inspection and reproduction online at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filings/elibrary.asp. It is also available for inspection during
regular business hours at the CBHP office at 457 1st Avenue NW, PO Box 219, Ephrata, WA 98823.
CBHP will host a Joint Agency and Public Meeting and site visit on Wednesday, October 12, 2016, to discuss the PAD. The purpose of the meeting is to: 1) provide information about the Project and the license amendment process; and 2) obtain agency and stakeholder opinions regarding the Project and its potential effect on existing resources.
The meeting will be held at 1:00 pm at the Grand Coulee City Hall, 306 Midway, Grand Coulee, WA. This meeting is open to the public, but is primarily focused on issues and concerns of the state, tribal, and federal resource agencies. A tour of the proposed Project facilities will occur at 3:00 pm.
The proposed meeting agenda is:
l Introduction to Project Team Members
l Project Description
l Overview of the Licensing Process
l PAD
l Discussion of Identified Issues
l Comments and Questions
CBHP invites resource agencies, Indian tribes, and members of the public likely to be interested in the proceedings to participate in the licensing process and to comment on this notice and related matters. Comments on the PAD and study requests are due to the Commission no later than 60 days following the meeting or no later than December 12, 2016. All responses must reference the Banks Lake Pumped Storage FERC project number (FERC No. 14329). Commenters must submit an electronic filing via FERC’s website (http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ferconline.asp)
pursuant to 18 CFR§ 385.2003(c) or an original and eight copies of their comments to the Office of the Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426.
For additional information, questions regarding this meeting, or the Banks Lake Pumped Storage licensing process, please contact:
Kelly Larimer
509-260-0151
Kelly.Larimer@KleinschmidtGroup.com
#09035/5323274
Pub.: September 13, 14, 20 & 21, 2016