[Federal Register: January 27, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 17)]
[Notices]               
[Page 4096]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27ja99-48]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Project No. 2233]

 
Portland General Electric Company Smurfit Newsprint Corporation; 
Notice of Initial Information Meeting

January 21, 1999.
    By letter dated September 1, 1998, Portland General Electric 
Company (PGE) of Portland, Oregon, and Smurfit Newsprint Corporation of 
Oregon City, Oregon, co-licensees, have asked to use an alternative 
procedure in filing an application for a new license for their 
Willamette Falls Project No. 2233.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The project consists of an 8-foot-high dam along the crest 
of Willamette Falls on the Willamette River. PGE operates the 16-
megawatt T.W. Sullivan powerhouse, located on the west side of the 
falls. Co-licensee, Smurfit Newsprint Corporation, operates a 1.5-
megawatt powerhouse on the east side of the falls. The project is 
not located on any Federal land.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission's regulations allow applicants the option of 
preparing their own Environmental Assessment (EA) for hydropower 
projects, and filing the EA with their license application as part of 
the alternative licensing procedure.\2\ On December 10, 1998, the 
Commission approved the use of an alternative licensing procedure in 
the preparation of the Willamette Falls license application.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ 81 FERC 61,103 (1997).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The alternative procedures include provisions for the distribution 
of an initial information package, and for the identification of 
special studies and environmental issues. On December 31, 1998, PGE, 
acting on behalf of itself and Smurfit Newsprint Corporation 
distributed an initial information package (IIP) to all parties who had 
expressed interest in the proceeding. Copies of the IIP can be obtained 
by contacting David Heintzman at PGE at (503) 464-8162.
    Two public meetings will be held to discuss these documents. PGE 
will give an overview of the existing facilities and operation, discuss 
what is currently known about environmental resources at the project, 
and discuss how these resources are currently being managed. As time 
permits preliminary environmental issues and special studies will be 
discussed.
    Additional notices seeking comments on the specific project 
proposal, public scoping, interventions and protests, and recommended 
terms and conditions will be issued at later dates.
    PGE will hold the public meetings on February 17 and February 18, 
1999. All interested individuals, organizations, and agencies 
representatives are invited and encouraged to attend any or all the 
meetings.
    The February 17th meeting will be held at the Oregon City High 
School Cafeteria, 1306 12th Street, Oregon City, Oregon from 7 p.m. 
until 9 p.m.
    The February 18th meeting will be held at the Two World Trade 
Center, Plaza Conference Room, 121 SW Salmon Street, Portland, Oregon 
from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
    For further information, please contact Dave Heintzman at PGE at 
(503) 464-8162 or John Blair at the Commission at (202) 219-2845.
David P. Boergers,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-1822 Filed 1-26-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M