[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 13 (Friday, January 20, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 4147]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-1421]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service


Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation; Finding of No 
Significant Impact

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 
has made a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) with respect to its 
action related to the construction and operation of a hydropower 
project on the Arkansas River by Arkansas Electric Cooperative 
Corporation (AECC). The FONSI is based on a Borrower's Environmental 
Report submitted to RUS by AECC. RUS conducted an independent 
evaluation of the report and concurs with its scope and content. In 
accordance with Environmental Policies and Procedures published by the 
Rural Electrification Administration, the predecessor of RUS, at 7 CFR 
1794.61, RUS has adopted the borrower's environmental report as its 
environmental assessment for the project.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lawrence R. Wolfe, Chief, 
Environmental Compliance Branch, Electric Staff Division, RUS, South 
Agriculture Building, Washington, D.C. 20250, telephone (202) 720-1784.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The hydropower project is to be constructed 
at the existing Corps of Engineers Dam #2 in Desha County, Arkansas, 
approximately 12 miles northeast of Dumas, Arkansas. It will have an 
installed capacity of 108 megawatts. The powerhouse for the project 
will be located on the west side of the Arkansas River west of the 
right abutment of Dam #2. The powerhouse will be approximately 180 feet 
wide and 225 feet long. Water to operate the turbines in the powerhouse 
will be diverted from the Arkansas River via a headrace channel and 
back into the river via a tailrace channel. The turbines will operate 
under a net head ranging from 5 to 37 feet. The project will include a 
115 kV switching station and one span of 115 kV transmission line. The 
entire project will require approximately 180 acres of land all of 
which is government owned.
    RUS considered the alternative of no action as opposed to approving 
AECC's request to use its general funds or provide a lien accommodation 
for financing construction of the project. Under the no action 
alternative, RUS would not approve AECC's use of general funds or 
provide AECC a lien accommodation. The no action alterative was not the 
selected alternative as AECC believes that it has an opportunity to 
construct a renewable generation resource at the Corps of Engineers Dam 
#2 and reduce its overall dependence on fossil fuel fired generation 
plants and that such construction is consistent with the objectives of 
the Energy Policy Act of 1992.
    Copies of the environmental assessment and FONSI are available for 
review at, or can be obtained from, RUS at the address provided herein 
or from Mr. Curtis Q. Warner, Principle Engineer, Arkansas Electric 
Cooperative Corporation, 8000 Scott Hamilton Drive, Little Rock, 
Arkansas, 72219-4208, telephone (501) 570-2462.

    Dated: January 13, 1995.
Adam M. Golodner,
Deputy Administrator, Program Operations.
[FR Doc. 95-1421 Filed 1-19-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P