[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 242 (Monday, December 19, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-31045]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: December 19, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of the Secretary

 

Section 4(e) Conditions for the Kerr Hydroelectric Project, 
Montana

AGENCY: Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Extension of Public Comment Period.

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SUMMARY: On November 22, 1994 (59 FR 60158), the Department of the 
Interior published a notice of availability and a request for comment 
regarding its proposed Section 4(e) conditions for the Kerr 
Hydroelectric Project license. In an effort to allow more time for 
public participation the Department is extending the comment period for 
an additional 45 days. Pursuant to the Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 
797(e), the proposed conditions provide for the adequate protection and 
utilization of the Flathead Indian Reservation and the Fish and 
Wildlife Service administered Flathead Waterfowl Production Area.

DATES: The Department will consider all comments on the proposed 
section 4(e) conditions received on or before February 6, 1995 in the 
formulation of the Secretary's final section 4(e) conditions for the 
Kerr Hydroelectric Project.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to Anne Crichton, Department of the 
Interior, Office of the Solicitor, 1849 C Street, NW., Mail Stop 6456, 
Washington, DC 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Janice Schneider, Department of the Interior, Office of the Solicitor, 
1849 C Street, NE., Mail Stop 6456, Washington, DC 20240, 202-208-6967.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The November 22, 1994 (59 FR 60158) notice 
of availability and request for comment provided a 30 day period during 
which the Department would receive comments regarding its proposed 
Section 4(e) conditions for the Kerr Hydroelectric Project. Pursuant to 
the Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 797(e), the proposed conditions 
provide for the adequate protection and utilization of the Flathead 
Indian Reservation and the Fish and Wildlife Service administered 
Flathead Waterfowl Production Area. The proposed conditions for the 
Flathead Indian Reservation provide for the imposition of a base load 
operational scenario at the Kerr Project. This operational scenario 
precludes the use of Kerr Dam as a load regulating or peak power 
generation facility, and requires minimum flows, certain restrictions 
on flow fluctuations (ramping rates), and a two year ramping rate 
study. In addition, the proposed conditions provide for non-operational 
measures designed to protect and provide for adequate utilization of 
the Flathead Indian Reservation in conjunction with operational 
measures. The non-operational measures include the development of a 
Fish and Wildlife Implementation Strategy, development of an 
operational rule curve, habitat acquisition, habitat development, 
fishery supplementation and reintroduction, development of recreational 
resources, and the identification and protection of cultural resources 
on the Flathead Indian Reservation. The proposed conditions for the 
Flathead WPA provide for the imposition of erosion control on the north 
shore of Flathead Lake and the upper Flathead River, island 
restoration, and habitat acquisition and development. The costs of all 
measures will be borne by the project licensees.
    The deadline for comment on the proposed Section 4(e) conditions is 
extended for 45 days by this notice. The comment period, which began on 
November 22, 1994, therefore, consists of a total of 75 days. All 
comments are due to the Department on or before February 6, 1995. In 
addition, the Department will be making available two technical reports 
that further support the proposed Section 4(e) conditions, the ``Kerr 
Hydro-electric Project Report'' by Stetson Engineers, Inc., and ``An 
Evaluation of the Wildlife Components of the Kerr Dam Project 
Mitigation and Management Plan and Recommended Section 4(e) Articles'' 
by BioSystems Analysis, Inc. The proposed conditions and the above 
referenced reports are available for review and copying at the 
Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC in room 
6443. Copies of the proposed Section 4(e) conditions and the above 
referenced reports will be made available to all interested parties 
upon request.

    Dated: December 12, 1994.
Willie R. Taylor,
Acting Director, Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance.
[FR Doc. 94-31045 Filed 12-16-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-02-M