[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 159 (Thursday, August 18, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-20307]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 18, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Electrification Administration

 

South Mississippi Electric Power Association; Notice of Intent To 
Hold Scoping Meeting and Prepare an Environmental Assessment and/or 
Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Rural Electrification Administration, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Hold Scoping Meeting and Prepare an 
Environmental Assessment and/or Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Electrification 
Administration (REA), pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act 
of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Council on Environmental 
Quality (CEQ) Regulations for Implementing NEPA (40 CFR Parts 1500-
1508), and REA Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR Part 1794) 
may prepare an Environmental Assessment and/or an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) for its Federal action related to a proposal by South 
Mississippi Electric Power Association to construct a 230 kV 
transmission line. REA may provide financing assistance to South 
Mississippi Electric Power Association for project construction costs.

DATES: REA will conduct a scoping meeting in an open house forum as 
follows: Paulding, Mississippi, September 21, 1994, 7-9:30 p.m.

ADDRESSES: Jasper County Courthouse, Highway 503, Paulding, 
Mississippi.

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: Lawrence R. Wolfe, Chief, Environmental 
Compliance Branch, Electric Staff Division, room 1246, South 
Agriculture Building, Rural Electrification Administration, Washington, 
DC 20250, telephone (202) 720-1784.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: South Mississippi Electric Power Association 
proposes to construct a 230 kV transmission line from an existing 
substation located west of Waynesboro in Wayne County, Mississippi, 
through the southwest corner of Clarke County, Mississippi, to the 
eastern part of Jasper County, Mississippi, where South Mississippi 
Electric Power Association will construct a 230/69 kV substation near 
the community of Missionary. The total length of the line will be 36 
miles. Additions will be necessary at the existing substation west of 
Waynesboro to accommodate the new transmission line.
    Alternatives to be considered by REA and South Mississippi Electric 
Power Association include: (a) no action, (b) adding new capacitor 
banks at other substations on South Mississippi Electric Power 
Association's transmission system, (c) constructing a 230/161 kV 
substation near Homewood, Mississippi, a 230/69 kV substation near 
Missionary, Mississippi, and 29 miles of 230 kV transmission line from 
Homewood to Missionary, and (d) alternative transmission line routes.
    To be presented at the public scoping meeting will be an 
alternative evaluation and macro-corridor study prepared by South 
Mississippi Electric Power Association. The alternative evaluation and 
macro-corridor study is available for public review at REA at the 
address provided in this notice or at South Mississippi Electric Power 
Association, 7037 U.S. Highway 49, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. It can 
also be reviewed at the Mary Weems Parker Memorial Library, in 
Heidelberg, Mississippi, the East Mississippi Regional Library, 116 
Water Street, Quitman, Mississippi, and the Waynesboro Library, 712 
Wayne Street, Waynesboro, Mississippi.
    Government agencies, private organizations, and the public are 
invited to participate in the planning and analysis of the proposed 
project. Representatives from REA and South Mississippi Electric Power 
Association will be available to discuss REA's environmental review 
process, describe the project and alternatives under consideration, 
discuss the scope of environmental issues to be considered, answer 
questions, and accept oral and written comments. Written comments will 
be accepted for at least 30 days after the September 21 public scoping 
meeting. Written comments should be sent to REA at the address provided 
in this notice.
    From information provided in the alternative evaluation and macro-
corridor study, input from government agencies, private organizations, 
and the public, South Mississippi Electric Power Association will 
prepare an environmental analysis to be submitted to REA for review. If 
significant effects are not evident based on a review of the 
environmental analysis and other relevant information, REA will prepare 
an environmental assessment to determine if the preparation of an EIS 
is warranted.
    Should REA determine that the preparation of an EIS is not 
warranted, it will prepare a finding of no significant impact (FONSI). 
The FONSI will be made available for public review and comment for 30 
days. REA will not take its final action related to the project prior 
to the expiration of the 30-day period.
    Any final action by REA related to the proposed project will be 
subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant Federal 
environmental laws and regulations and completion of environmental 
procedures as prescribed by CEQ and REA environmental policies and 
procedures.

    Dated: August 12, 1994.
Adam M. Golodner,
Deputy Administrator--Program Operations.
[FR Doc. 94-20307 Filed 8-17-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P