City of Hamilton, Ohio; Notice of Intent To File License Application, Filing of Pre-Application Document, and Approving Use of the Traditional Licensing Process

a. Type of Filing: Notice of Intent to File License Application and Request to Use the Traditional Licensing Process.

b. Project No.: 2724-035.

c. Dated Filed: June 26, 2026.

d. Submitted By: City of Hamilton, Ohio (City).

e. Name of Project: Hamilton Hydroelectric Project (project).

f. Location: The project is located on the Great Miami River, Butler County, Ohio.

g. Filed Pursuant to:18 CFR 5.3 of the Commission's regulations.

h. Applicant Contact: Kevin Kessler, City of Hamilton, Ohio, Department of Infrastructure—Utility Operations, 345 High Street, 3rd Floor, Hamilton, Ohio 45011; (513) 785-7281; or email at kevin.kessler@hamilton-oh.gov.

i. FERC Contact: Casey Knight at (202) 502-8519; or email at amelia.knight@ferc.gov.

j. The City filed its request to use the Traditional Licensing Process on June 26, 2026, and provided public notice of its request on June 28, 2026. In a letter dated August 6, 2026, the Acting Director of the Division of Hydropower Licensing approved the City's request to use the Traditional Licensing Process.

k. With this notice, we are initiating informal consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act and the joint agency regulations thereunder at 50 C.F.R Part 402. We are also initiating consultation with the Ohio State Historic Preservation Officer, as required by section 106, National Historic Preservation Act, and the implementing regulations of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation at 36 CFR 800.2.

l. With this notice, we are designating the City as the Commission's non-federal representative for carrying out informal consultation pursuant to section 7 of the Endangered Species Act and consultation pursuant to section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

m. The City filed a Pre-Application Document (PAD; including a proposed process plan and schedule) with the Commission, pursuant to 18 CFR 5.6 of the Commission's regulations. ( printed page 51701)

n. A copy of the PAD may be viewed on the Commission's website ( 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, contact FERC Online Support at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, (866) 208-3676 (toll free), or (202) 502-8659 (TTY).

You may register online at ferconline.ferc.gov/​FERCOnline.aspx to be notified via email of new filings and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support.

o. The licensee states its unequivocal intent to submit an application for a new license for Project No. 2724. Pursuant to 18 CFR 16.8, 16.9, and 16.10 each application for a new license and any competing license applications must be filed with the Commission at least 24 months prior to the expiration of the existing license. All applications for license for this project must be filed by November 30, 2029.

p. For public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, contact the Office of Public Participation at (202) 502-6595 or OPP@ferc.gov.

(Authority: 18 CFR 2.1)