[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 70 (Monday, April 13, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17997-17998]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9603]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Project 11591-000, AK]
City of Wrangell, Alaska; Notice of City of Wrangell, Alaska's
Request To Use Alternative Procedures in Filing a License Application
April 7, 1998.
The preliminary permit holder, City of Wrangell, Alaska (City), has
asked to use an alternative procedure in filing an application for
original license for the proposed Sunrise Lake Water and Hydroelectric
Project, No. 11591 (Sunrise Lake Project).\1\ The City has demonstrated
that they have made an effort to contact all resource agencies, Indian
tribes, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and others affected by
their proposal, and that a consensus exists that the use of an
alternative procedure is appropriate in this case. The City has also
submitted a communication protocol that is supported by most interested
entities.
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\1\ The 2.5-megawatt project would be located on Woronkofski
Island, 4 miles southwest of Wrangell, Alaska, within the boundaries
of the Tongass National Forest.
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The purpose of this notice is to invite any additional comments on
the City's request to use the alternative procedure, as required under
the final rule for Regulations for the Licensing of Hydroelectric
Projects.\2\ Additional notices seeking comments on the specific
project proposal, interventions and protests, and recommended terms and
conditions will be issued at a later date.
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\2\ 81 FERC para.61,103 (1997).
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The alternative procedure being requested here combines the
prefiling consultation process with the environmental review process,
allowing the applicant to complete and file an Environmental Assessment
(EA) in lieu of Exhibit E of the license application. This differs from
the traditional process, in which the applicant consults with agencies,
Indian tribes, and NGOs during preparation of the application for the
license and the Commission staff performs the environmental review
after the application is filed by the applicant. The alternative
procedure is intended to simplify and expedite the licensing process by
combining the prefiling consultation and environmental review processes
into a single process, to facilitate greater participation, and to
improve communication and cooperation among the participants.
Applicant Prepared EA Process and Sunrise Lake Project Schedule
On January 20, 1998, the City distributed an Initial Consultation
Package for the proposed project to state and federal resource
agencies, Indian tribes, and NGOs. The City scheduled a consultation
meeting for all interested parties on February 17, 1998, to present
their proposal for the project and solicit study requests from
participants. Notice announcing the meeting was published locally, as
required by Commission regulations.
Public scoping meetings are planned for late May 1998. The City is
requesting that all parties to the proceeding provide written requests
for study by April 18, 1998. Studies would be
[[Page 17998]]
conducted during summer 1998, as needed. The application, including the
applicant-prepared EA, would be filed with the Commission on or before
December 31, 1998.
Comments
Interested parties have 30 days from the date of this notice to
file with the Commission, any comments on the City's proposal to use
the alternative procedures to file an application for the Sunrise Lake
Project.
Filing Requirements
The comments must be filed by providing an original and 8 copies as
required by the Commission's regulations to: Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, Office of the Secretary, Dockets--Room 1A, 888 First
Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426.
All comment filings must bear the heading ``Comments on the
Alternative Procedure,'' and include the project name and number
(Sunrise Lake Water and Hydroelectric Project, No. 11591).
For further information, please contact Nick Jayjack of the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission at (202) 219-2825 or E-mail at
[email protected]
Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-9603 Filed 4-10-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M
