2015-26384. Northern Indiana Public Service Company, Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Assessment

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (Commission or FERC's) regulations, 18 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 380, the Office of Energy Projects has reviewed Northern Indiana Public Service Company's application for amendment of the license for the Norway-Oakdale Hydroelectric Project (FERC Project No. 12514-074), on the Tippecanoe River near the city of Monticello in Carroll and White Counties, Indiana. The project does not occupy any federal lands.

Staff prepared a draft environmental assessment (EA) to analyze the potential environmental effects of implementing the proposed modified definition of abnormal flow conditions, as required by article 405 of the current license (issued October 2, 2007), that would be included in a revised article 403, which defines the operation of the project. Staff concludes that authorizing the amendment, with staff's recommended modification to the definition of abnormal river conditions, would not constitute a major federal action that would significantly affect the quality of the human environment.

A copy of the EA is available for review at the Commission in the Public Reference Room or may be viewed on the Commission's Web site at 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 [e-mail] or toll-free at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY, 202-502-8659.

You may also register online at 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, contact FERC Online Support.

Any comments should be filed within 30 days from the date of this notice. Comments may be filed electronically via the Internet. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site 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/​docs-filing/​ecomment.asp. You must include your name and contact information at the end of your comments. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support. Although the Commission strongly encourages electronic filing, documents may also be paper-filed. To paper-file, mail an original and five copies to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426.

For further information, contact Rebecca Martin by telephone at 202-502-6012 or Mark Pawlowski at 202-502-6052.

Dated: October 9, 2015.

Kimberly D. Bose,

Secretary.