[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 192 (Monday, October 5, 1998)] [Notices] [Page 53404] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-26538] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 346-MN] Minnesota Power, Inc.; Notice of Minnesota Power, Inc's Request for Waiver and To Use Alternative Procedures in Filing a License Application September 29, 1998. On September 21, 1998, the existing licensee, Minnesota Power, Inc. (Minnesota Power), filed a request to waive certain Commission regulations and to use alternative procedures for submitting an application for new license for the existing Blanchard Hydroelectric Project No. 346. The project is located on the Mississippi River, in Morrison County, Minnesota, and consists of 750-foot-long, 45-foot-high concrete gravity dam with an integral powerhouse, and 1,152-acre reservoir, three generating units with a total installed capacity of 18 MW, and appurtenant facilities. Minnesota Power has demonstrated that it has made an effort to contact all resource agencies, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and other affected by the proposal, and that a consensus exists that the use of alternative procedures is appropriate in this case. Further, waiving the Commission's regulations will be automatic upon approval of the alternative procedures stipulated in Order No. 596.\1\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ Order No. 596, Regulations for the Licensing of Hydroelectric Projects, 81 FERC para. 61,103 (1997). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Minnesota Power has submitted a communications protocol that is supported by the interested entities. The purpose of this notice is to invite any additional comments on Minnesota Power's request to use the alternative procedures, pursuant to Section 4.34(i) of the Commission's regulations. Additional notices seeking comments on the specific project proposal, interventions and protests, and recommended terms and conditions will be issued at a later date. The alternative procedures being requested here combine the prefiling consultation process with the environmental review process, allowing Minnesota Power 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 an applicant consults with agencies, Indian tribes, and 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 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 Blanchard Project Schedule Minnesota Power has met with state and federal resource agencies, and NGOs regarding the Blanchard Hydroelectric Project. Minnesota Power has submitted a proposed schedule for the alternative procedures that leads to the filing of a license application by August 2001. Comments Interested parties have 30 days from the date of this notice to file with the Commission, any comments on Minnesota Power's proposal to use the alternative procedures to file an application for the Blanchard 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, N.E., Washington, DC 20426. All comment filings must bear the heading ``Comments on the Alternative Procedures,'' and include the project name and number (Blanchard Hydroelectric Project No. 346). For further information on this process,please call Tom Dean of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission at 202-219-2778. Linwood A. Watson, Jr., Acting Secretary. [FR Doc. 98-26538 Filed 10-2-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-M