[Federal Register: August 19, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 160)]
[Notices]               
[Page 45248]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19au99-57]                         


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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 vince.yearick@ferc.fed.us.
Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-21494 Filed 8-18-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M