[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 140 (Thursday, July 22, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39497-39498]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-18713]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Project No. 201-000 AK]
Petersburg Municipal Power and Light; Notice of Petersburg
Municipal Power and Light's Request To Use Alternative Procedures in
Filing a License Application
July 16, 1999.
On July 7, 1999, the existing licensee, Petersburg Municipal Power
and Light Petersburg), filed a request to use alternative procedures in
submitting an application for a new license for the existing Blind
Slough Hydroelectric Project No. 201. The 2.0-megawatt project is
located on Crystal Creek, and Mitkof Island, about 16 miles from the
City of Petersburg, Alaska. Petersburg has demonstrated that it has
made an effort to contact all resource agencies, Indian Tribes,
nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and others affected by the
proposal, and that a consensus exists that the use of alternative
procedures is appropriate in this case. Petersburg has also submitted a
communications protocol that is supported by most interested entities.
The purpose of this notice is to invite comments on Petersburg's
request to use the alternative procedures, pursuant to Section 4.34(i)
of the Commission's regulations.\1\ 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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\1\ Order No. 596, Regulations for the Licensing of
Hydroelectric Projects, 81 FERC para. 61,103 (1997).
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The alternative procedures being requested here combine 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, NGOs during preparation of the application for the
license and before filing it, but the Commission staff performs the
environmental review after the application is filed. The alternative
procedures are intended to simply and
[[Page 39498]]
expedite the licensing process 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 Blind Slough Project Schedule
Petersburg has submitted a proposed schedule for the APEA process
that leads to the filing of a new license application by August 2002.
Study plans would be developed this summer, with National Environmental
Policy Act scoping being conducted in the fall. Field-work would be
conducted over two seasons, summer 2000 and 2001 (if needed), with a
draft application and draft APEA to be issued for comment in the fall
of 2001.
Comments
Interested parties have 30 days from the date of this notice to
file with the Commission, any comments on Petersburg's proposal to use
the alternative procedures to file an application for the Blind Slough
Hydroelectric 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 20416.
All comments filings must bear the heading ``Comments on the
Alternative Procedures,'' and include the project name and number
(Blind Slough Hydroelectric Project No. 201).
For further information on this process, please contact Vince
Yearick of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission at 202-219-2938 or
E-mail vince-yearick@ferc.fed.us.
David P. Boergers,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-18713 Filed 7-21-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M
