E4-637. Alcoa Power Generating, Inc., North Carolina/Tennessee; Notice of Availability of Environmental Assessment

March 15, 2004.

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 FR 47897), the Office of Energy Projects (staff) has reviewed the application for a new major license for the Tapoco Project, located on the Little Tennessee and Cheoah Rivers in Graham and Swain Counties, North Carolina and Blount and Monroe Counties, Tennessee, and prepared an environmental assessment (EA) for the project. The project affects Federal lands of the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service.

In this EA, the staff analyzes the potential environmental effects of the existing project and concludes that licensing the project, with staff's recommended measures, would not constitute a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.

A copy of the EA and application is available for review 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 “e-Library” 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]. Register online at http://www.ferc.gov/​esubscribenow.htm to be notified via e-mail 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 and should be addressed to Magalie R. Salas, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. Please affix “Tapoco Project No. 2169-020” to all comments. For further information, please contact Randy Yates by e-mail at [e-mail] or phone [phone].

The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings. 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 under the “e-Filing” link.

Magalie R. Salas,

Secretary.