[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 160 (Thursday, August 19, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 45248]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-21494]
[[Page 45248]]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Project No. 2145-000 WS]
Public Utility District No. 1 of Chelan County; Notice of Public
Utility District No. 1 of Chelan County's Request To Use Alternative
Procedures in Filing a License Application
August 13, 1999.
On July 16, 1999, the existing licensee, Public Utility District
No. 1 of Chelan County (Chelan PUD), filed a request to use the
Commission's alternative procedures in submitting an application for a
new license for the existing Rocky Reach Hydroelectric Project No.
2145. The 1,236.6-megawatt project is located on the Columbia River,
about 7 miles upstream from the City of Wenatchee, Washington. Chelan
PUD has demonstrated that it has made an effort to contact resource
agencies, Indian tribes, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and
others affected by the proposal, and that a consensus likely exists
that the use of the alternative procedures is appropriate in this case.
Chelan PUD has also submitted a communications protocol that was
developed in consultation with interested entities.
The purpose of this notice is to invite comments on Chelan PUD'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 procedure being requested here combines 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, 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 improve 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.
Alternative Licensing Process and Rocky Reach Schedule
Chelan PUD has submitted a proposed schedule for the process that
leads to the filing of a new license application by June, 2004. Study
plans would be developed this summer through the end of the year for
field work that would start in April, 2000. National Environmental
Policy Act scoping would be conducted during early to mid 2000. Field-
work would be conducted through summer 2002 (if needed), with a draft
application and draft APEA to be issued for comment in the spring of
2003.
Comments
Interested parties have 30 days from the date of this notice to
file with the Commission, any comments on Chelan PUD's proposal to use
the alternative procedures to file an application for the Rocky Reach
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 20426.
All comment filings must bear the heading ``Comments on the
Alternative Procedures,'' and include the project name and number
(Rocky Reach Hydroelectric Project No. 2145).
For further information on this process, please contact Vince
Yearick of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission at 202-219-3073 or
E-mail [email protected].
Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-21494 Filed 8-18-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M