[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] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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