E3-00097. Public Utility District No.1 of Chelan County; Notice of Availability of Final Environmental Assessment

October 10, 2003.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (Commission) regulations, 18 CFR part 380 (Order No. 486, 52 F.R. 47897), Office of Energy Projects staff have reviewed the application for a new license for the Lake Chelan Hydroelectric Project, an existing, operating facility located on the Chelan River near the City of Chelan, Washington. The 48-megawatt project occupies land managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service. In the Final Environmental Assessment (FEA), the staff has analyzed the potential environmental impacts of the existing project and has concluded that approval of the project, with appropriate environmental protection measures, would not constitute a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.

We are aware that Chelan PUD and a number of parties continue to pursue a settlement in this case. If a settlement is filed, it will be noticed for public comment. Whether the FEA is supplemented will be based on the content of any filed settlement and subsequent comments we may receive.

The FEA can be viewed at the Commission in the Public Reference Room or may be viewed on the Commission's Web site at 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 [e-mail] or toll-free at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY, [phone].

Magalie R. Salas,

Secretary.