FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20426

November 4, 2003

OFFICE OF ENERGY PROJECTS

Project No. 2210 – Virginia

Smith Mountain Project

Appalachian Power Company

Frank M. Simms

Hydro Support Manager

American Electric Power

P.O. Box 2021

Roanoke, VA 24022-2121

Subject: Designation of Non-Federal Representative for Section 106

Consultation

Dear Mr. Simms:

In your July 10, 2003, letter, you requested that we grant permission for you to initiate Section 106 consultation on our behalf. By copy of this letter, we are authorizing American Electric Power (AEP), operating as Appalachian Power Company (Appalachian), to initiate consultation with the Virginia State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and other consulting parties, pursuant to 36 CFR § 800.2(c)(4) of the regulations implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. This consultation pertains to the relicensing effort by AEP for the Smith Mountain Project No. 2210, located on the Roanoke River in Pittsylvania, Franklin, Bedford, and Roanoke Counties, Virginia. The application is due to be filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) by March 31, 2008.

As requested, we are designating AEP to conduct the day-to-day Section 106 consultation responsibilities, with regards to the above referenced relicensing effort. However, even though AEP has the authority to consult, the Commission remains ultimately responsible for all findings and determinations regarding the effects of the project on any historic property, pursuant to Section 106. To that end, Commission staff will consult with AEP, relevant resource agencies, Indian tribes, and others as deemed necessary.

To be notified via e-mail of new filings and issuances related to the Smith Mountain Project, you are encouraged to register online at http://www.ferc.gov/esubscribenow.htm. For assistance, you should contact FERC Online Support at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll-free at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY at 202-502-8659.

For any questions or comments you may have concerning this matter, please contact James T. Griffin at (202) 502-6056 or via e-mail at james.griffin@ferc.gov.

Sincerely,

Allan E. Creamer

Project Coordinator

Hydro East Branch 2

cc: Public Files

Mailing List

Chief Leon Jones

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

Qualla Boundary

P.O. Box 455

Cherokee, NC 28719

Kathleen S. Kilpatrick, SHPO

Virginia Department of Historic Preservation

2801 Kensington Avenue

Richmond, VA 23221