Licenses; Exemptions, Applications, Amendments, etc.: GP Big Island, LLC

GP Big Island, LLC; 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.: 2902-025.

c. Dated Filed: July 8, 2026.

d. Submitted By: GP Big Island, LLC (GP Big Island).

e. Name of Project: Big Island Hydroelectric Project (Big Island Project).

f. Location: The Big Island Project is located on the James River in Amherst and Bedford Counties, Virginia.

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

h. Applicant Contact: Jennifer Leonardo, Engineering Manager, GP Big Island, LLC 9909 Lee Jackson Highway, Big Island, VA 24526, [email protected].

i. FERC Contact: Silvia Pineda-Munoz at (202) 502-8388; or email at [email protected].

j. GP Big Island filed its request to use the Traditional Licensing Process on July 8, 2026, and provided public notice of its request on July 11, 2026. In a letter dated August 21, 2026, the Director of the Division of Hydropower Licensing approved GP Big Island'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 and/or NOAA Fisheries under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act and the joint agency regulations thereunder at 50 CFR, Part 402; and NOAA Fisheries under section 305(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and implementing regulations at 50 CFR 600.920. We are also initiating consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer, Virginia Department of Historic Resources, 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 GP Big Island as the Commission's non-federal representative for carrying out informal consultation pursuant to section 7 of the Endangered Species Act and section 305(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act; and section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

m. GP Big Island 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.

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

You may register online at https://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 subsequent license for Project No. 2902. Pursuant to 18 CFR 16.20 each application for a subsequent 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 September 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 [email protected].

(Authority: 18 CFR 2.1)