96-26012. Notice of Intent To Conduct Public Meetings and Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 197 (Wednesday, October 9, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 52908]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-26012]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service


Notice of Intent To Conduct Public Meetings and Prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to conduct public scoping workshops and 
prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) intends to hold public 
scoping workshops and prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
in connection with a project in Alaska proposed by the seven electric 
utilities that are collectively known as the Intertie Participants 
Group (IPG). The IPG consists of Chugach Electric Association, Inc. 
(Chugach), Municipality of Anchorage--Municipal Light and Power, City 
of Seward--Seward Electric System, Matanuska Electric Association, 
Inc., and the Municipality of Fairbanks--Fairbanks Municipal Utilities 
System, Golden Valley Electric Association, Inc. (GVEA), and Homer 
Electric Association, Inc. (HEA). GVEA and HEA intend to apply for RUS 
financing assistance for the proposed project. Chugach will act as the 
construction manager for the proposed project. The proposal, which is 
referred to as the Southern Intertie Project, consists of the 
construction and operation of a 230 kV transmission line to be operated 
initially at 138 kV between Anchorage and a location on the Kenai 
Peninsula in Alaska.

DATES: RUS will conduct three public scoping workshops as follows:

November 12, 1996, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Spenard Community Recreation 
Center, 2020 West 48th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska, Tel: [phone]
November 13, 1996, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Cooper Landing Community 
Hall, Bean Creek Road, Cooper Landing, Alaska, Tel: [phone]
November 14, 1996, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Kenai Peninsula Borough 
Chambers, 144 N. Binkley Street, Soldotna, Alaska, Tel: [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nurul Islam, Environmental Protection 
Specialist, RUS, Engineering and Environmental Staff, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW, Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250-1571, telephone (202) 720-
1784, or Dora Gropp, Chugach Electric Association, Inc., 5601 Minnesota 
Drive, P.O. Box 196300, Anchorage, Alaska 99519-6300, telephone, (800) 
478-7494/[phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: GVEA and HEA, along with the other five IPG 
members, are proposing to construct a 230 kV transmission line between 
Anchorage and a location on the Kenai Peninsula. Alternatives to be 
considered by RUS include no action, energy conservation, local 
generation, system alternatives, transmission alternatives, and 
alternative routes. Comments regarding the proposed project may be 
submitted orally or in writing within 30 days after the November 14, 
1996, workshop to RUS at the address provided in this notice.
    The IPG and their consultants have prepared a report entitled, 
``Southern Intertie Route Selection Study'' (Study) for the project. 
The Environmental Section Report and the Executive Summary Section 
Report from that Study are available for public review at RUS or 
Chugach, at the addresses provided in this notice. These reports are 
also available at the other participants' offices and local libraries. 
Please consult local notices for locations.
    Based on the study mentioned above and input from interested local, 
state, and Federal agencies and the public, the IPG and their 
consultants will prepare an Environmental Analysis to be submitted to 
RUS for review. RUS will prepare a Draft EIS based on the Environmental 
Analysis and any other information available to RUS. The Draft EIS will 
be available for public review for 45 days. The Final EIS will then be 
prepared considering all the comments received, and made available for 
public review and comment at least for 30 days. At the end of 30-day 
comment period a Record of Decision will be issued on the project.
    This proposal will require compliance with Title 11 of Alaska 
National Interest Lands Conservation Act if lands under the 
jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are crossed.
    Any final action by RUS related to the proposed project will be 
subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant Federal 
environmental laws and regulations and completion of environmental 
review procedures as prescribed by the Council on Environmental Quality 
Regulations and RUS Environmental Policies and Procedures.

    Dated: October 4, 1996.
Adam M. Golodner,
Deputy Administrator, Program Operations.
[FR Doc. 96-26012 Filed 10-8-96; 8:45 am]
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