02-30714. Indiana Michigan Power Company; Notice of Availability of Environmental Assessment

November 26, 2002.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) regulations contained in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) (18 CFR part 380 [FERC Order No. 486, 52 FR 47897]), the Office of Energy Projects staff (staff) has reviewed the application for a new license for the Mottville Hydroelectric Project, located on the St. Joseph's River in Mottville Township in St. Joseph County, Michigan, and has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the project. The project does not use or occupy any Federal facilities or lands. In this EA, the staff has analyzed the potential environmental effects of the existing project and has concluded that licensing the project, with staff's recommended measures, would not constitute a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.

Copies of the EA are available for review in the Public Reference Branch, Room 2-A, of the Commission's offices at 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. This EA may also be viewed on the Web at http://www.ferc.gov. Using the ‘FERRIS’ link, enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the document field to access the document. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at [e-mail], call toll free [phone], or TTY [phone].

Any comments should be filed within 45 days from the date of this notice and should be addressed to Magalie Roman Salas, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. Please affix ‘Mottville Project No. 401-027’ to all comments. For further information, please contact Lee Emery at [phone] or e-mail at [e-mail].

Comments may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site at http://www.ferc.gov under the “e-Filing” link.

Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,

Deputy Secretary.