E6-7487. Duke Power Company, LLC; North Carolina; Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Assessment

May 10, 2006.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) regulations (18 CFR part 380), Commission staff reviewed the applications for new major licenses for the East and West Fork projects, a subsequent license for the Bryson Project, and the application for license surrender for the Dillsboro Project. We prepared a draft combined environmental assessment (EA) on the proposed actions. The East and West Fork and Dillsboro projects are located on the Tuckasegee River in Jackson County, North Carolina. The Bryson Project is located on the Oconaluftee River (a tributary to the Tuckasegee River) in Swain County, North Carolina.

In this draft EA, Commission staff analyze the probable environmental effects of implementing the projects and conclude that approval of the projects, with appropriate staff-recommended environmental measures, would not constitute a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.

Copies of the draft EA are available for review in Public Reference Room 2-A of the Commission's offices at 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC. The draft EA also may be viewed on the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.ferc.gov) using the “eLibrary” link. Additional information about the project is available from the Commission's Office of External Affairs at [phone], or on the Commission's Web site using the eLibrary link. For assistance with eLibrary, contact [e-mail] or call toll-free at [phone]; for TTY call [phone].

Any comments on the draft EA should be filed within 30 days of 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 reference the specific project and FERC Project No. on all comments. 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.

For further information, please contact Carolyn Holsopple at [phone] or at [e-mail].

Magalie R. Salas,

Secretary.