[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 22 (Thursday, February 2, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6529-6530]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-2521]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Project No. 2320-005-NY Project No. 2330-007-NY]


Niagara Mohawk Power Corp.; Notice of Public Scoping Meetings

January 27, 1995.
    The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) has received 
applications for new license (relicense) from the Niagara Mohawk Power 
Corporation (NIMO) for the following two existing hydropower projects 
owned and operated by NIMO on the Raquette River in St. Lawrence 
County, 

[[Page 6530]]
New York: The Middle Raquette River Project, FERC No. 2320, consisting 
of the Highley, Colton, Hannawa, and Sugar Island developments; and the 
Lower Raquette River Project, FERC No. 2330, consisting of the Norwood, 
East Norfolk, Norfolk, and Raymondville developments.
    The Commission staff will prepare and issue a draft multiple-
project environmental impact statement (EIS) for review by all 
interested parties. All comments filed on the draft EIS will be 
analyzed by the FERC staff and considered in a final EIS.
    One element of the EIS process is scoping. This activity is 
initiated early to:
     Identify reasonable alternative operational procedures and 
environmental enhancement measures that should be evaluated in the EIS;
     Delineate significant environmental issues related to the 
operation of the existing projects;
     Determine the depth of analysis for issues that will be 
discussed in the EIS; and
     Identify resource issues that are of lesser importance 
and, consequently, do not require detailed analysis in the EIS.

Scoping Meetings

    The FERC staff will conduct two scoping meetings: The evening 
meeting is designed to obtain input from the general public, while the 
morning meeting will focus on resource agency concerns. All interested 
individuals, organizations, agencies, and Indians Tribes are invited to 
attend either or both meetings in order to assist staff in identifying 
the environmental issues that should be analyzed in the multiple-
project EIS.
    To help focus discussions, a preliminary EIS scoping document 
outlining subject areas to be addressed at the meetings will be 
distributed by mail to all person and entities on the FERC mailing 
lists for the Middle and Lower Raquette River Projects. Copies of the 
preliminary scoping document also will be made available at the scoping 
meetings.
    The evening meeting for the general public will be held from 7 p.m. 
until 11 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, 1995, in Room 177 of the New York 
State Center for Advanced Materials Processing in Potsdam, New York. 
This facility is located on Clarkson University's Hill Campus, adjacent 
to the Cheel Campus Center. Attendees should use the Maple Street 
entrance to the University and Parking Area 9.
    The agency-oriented meeting will be held at the same location on 
Wednesday, March 22, 1995, from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m.

Scoping Meeting Procedures

    Both meetings, which will be recorded by a stenographer, will 
become part of the formal record of the Commission's proceeding on the 
Middle and Lower Raquette River Projects. Individuals presenting 
statements at the meetings will be asked to sign in before the meetings 
start and to identify themselves for the record.
    Concerned parties are encouraged to speak during the public 
meetings. Speaking time allowed for individuals at the evening public 
meeting will be determined before that meeting, based on the number of 
person wishing to speak and the approximate amount of time available 
for the session. All speakers will be provided at least five minutes to 
present their views.

Scoping Meeting Objectives

    At the scoping meetings, the staff will:
     Summarize the environmental issues tentatively identified 
for analysis in the multiple-project EIS;
     Identify resource issues that are of lesser importance 
and, therefore, do not require detailed analysis:
     Solicit from the meeting participants all available 
information, especially quantifiable data, concerning significant local 
resources; and
     Encourage statements from experts and the public on issues 
that should be analyzed in the EIS.
Information Requested

    Federal and state resource agencies, local government officials, 
interested groups, area residents, and concerned individuals are 
requested to provide any information they believe will assist the 
Commission staff to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with 
relicensing the two projects. The types of information sought included 
the following:
     Data, reports, and resource plans that characterize the 
physical, biological or social environments in the vicinity of the 
projects; and
     Information and data that helps staff identify or evaluate 
significant environmental issues.
    Scoping information and associated comments should be submitted to 
the Commission no later than April 21, 1995. Written comments should be 
provided at the scoping meetings or mailed to the Commission, as 
follows: Lois Cashell, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 
825 North Capitol St., N.E., Washington, DC 20426.
    All filings sent to the Secretary of the Commission should contain 
an original and 8 copies. Failure to file an original and 8 copies may 
result in appropriate staff not receiving the benefit of your comments 
in a timely manner. See 18 CFR 4.34(h).
    All correspondence should show the following caption on the first 
page:

FERC No. 2320-005--NY, Middle Raquette River Project
FERC No. 2330-007--NY, Lower Raquette River Project

    Intervenors and interceders (as defined in 18 CFR 385.2010) who 
file documents with the Commission are reminded of the Commission's 
Rules of Practice and Procedure requiring them to serve a copy of all 
documents filed with the Commission on each person whose name is listed 
on the official service list for this proceeding. See 18 CFR 4.34(b).

    For further information, please contact Jim Haimes in 
Washington, DC at (202) 219-2780.
Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 95-2521 Filed 2-1-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M