[Federal Register: July 30, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 146)]
[Notices]
[Page 39309]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30jy01-27]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[FE Docket No. PP-231]
Notice of Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement; Northern States
Power Company
AGENCY: Office of Fossil Energy, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of floodplain/wetlands involvement.
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SUMMARY: Northern States Power Company (NSP) has applied for a
Presidential permit to construct, operate, maintain, and connect
electric transmission facilities across the U.S. border with Canada.
The proposed action has the potential to impact on a floodplain/
wetlands. In accordance with DOE regulations for compliance with
floodplain/wetlands environmental review requirements (10 CFR Part
1022), a floodplain/wetlands assessment will be performed for this
proposed action in a manner so as to avoid or minimize potential harm
to or within potentially affected floodplain and wetlands.
DATES: Comments are due to the address below no later than August 14,
2001.
ADDRESSES: Written comments, questions about the proposed action, and
requests to review the draft environmental assessment should be
directed to: Steven Mintz, Office of Coal & Power Import/Export (FE-
27), Office of Fossil Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0350; Fax: (202) 287-
5736; e-mail: steven.mintz@hq.doe.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Mintz (Program Office) 202-586-
9506 or Michael T. Skinker (Program Attorney) 202-586-6667.
For further information on general DOE floodplain and wetlands
environmental review requirements contact: Carol M. Borgstrom,
Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Assistance (EH-42), U.S. Department
of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0119;
Phone: 202-586-4600 or leave a message at 800-472-2756.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under Executive Order 11988, Floodplain
Management, and 10 CFR Part 1022, Compliance with Floodplain-Wetlands
Environmental Review Requirements (http://tis-nt.eh.doe.gov/nepa/tools/
regulate/nepa_reg/1022/1022.htm), notice is given that DOE is
considering an application from NSP for a Presidential permit to
construct, operate, maintain and connect electric transmission
facilities across the U.S. border with Canada. NSP proposes to
construct a 230,000-volt, three-phase, alternating current electric
transmission line that would extend approximately 53 miles from a new
substation to be built in Rugby, North Dakota, to the U.S.-Canadian
border just north of Rolla, North Dakota. Notice of NSP's application
for a Presidential permit appeared in the Federal Register on February
12, 2001 (66 FR 9826).
Before making a final decision on granting or denying a
Presidential permit to NSP, DOE will prepare an environmental
assessment (EA) to address the environmental impacts that would accrue
from the proposed project and reasonable alternatives. The EA will be
prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). Because the proposed action has
the potential to impact on a floodplain/wetlands, the EA will include a
floodplain and wetlands assessment. DOE expects to have a draft of the
EA available for public review in Summer 2001. Copies may be requested
by telephone, facsimile, or e-mail from the address given above. A
floodplain statement of findings will be included in any Finding of No
Significant Impact that may be issued following completion of the EA.
Issued in Washington, DC, on July 25, 2001.
Anthony J. Como,
Deputy Director, Electric Power Regulation, Office of Coal & Power
Import/Export, Office of Coal & Power Systems, Office of Fossil Energy.
[FR Doc. 01-18876 Filed 7-27-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P