[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 40 (Wednesday, February 28, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7503-7504]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-4452]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Project Nos. 2390-003, 2395-003, 2421-003, 2473-002, 2475-006 and 
2640-010]


Flambeau River, WI; Notice of Intent to Hold Public and Agency 
Meetings to Discuss Staff's Draft Environmental Statement (DEIS) for 
Existing Projects on the Flambeau River

February 22, 1996.
    On November 30, 1995, The Commission's Staff mailed the Flambeau 
River Basin Hydroelectric Projects, Wisconsin, DEIS to the 
Environmental Protection Agency, resource and land management agencies, 
interested organizations and individuals. The availability of the DEIS 
was public noticed in the Federal Register on December 8, 1995. The 
document evaluates the continued operation of the Big Falls Water Power 
Project No. 2390; the Pixley Project No. 2395; the Lower Hydro Project 
No. 2421; 

[[Page 7504]]
the Crowley Project No. 2473; the Thornapple Project No. 2475; and the 
Upper Hydro Project No. 2640. The projects are located on the Flambeau 
River in Rusk, Price and Ashland Counties, Wisconsin.
    The action of relicensing these projects involves tradeoffs between 
energy production and enhancement of environmental quality. The staff 
formulated alternatives, and evaluated impacts to respond to concerns 
raised during the scoping process. In developing recommendations in the 
DEIS, the staff gave equal consideration to developmental and 
nondevelopmental values in accordance with the Federal Power Act.
    The issues addressed in the DEIS are potential impacts to and 
effects on: (1) Geologic and soils resources; (2) water quality and 
quantity; (3) fisheries resources; (4) terrestrial resources; (5) 
recreational resources; (6) aesthetic values; (7) cultural resources; 
(8) air quality; (9) cumulative effects of the proposed projects.
    Alternatives to the applicants' proposals considered in detail are 
(1) modification to proposed project operation or facilities to further 
protect, enhance or mitigate adverse impacts to environmental resources 
and values and (2) no action.
    A public meeting will be conducted by staff in Park Falls, 
Wisconsin on Tuesday, March 12, 1996, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. in 
the auditorium of the Public Library, 410 Division Street, Park Falls, 
Wisconsin, to hear the public's comments on the DEIS.
    The meeting will be recorded by a stenographer and will become part 
of the formal record of the Commission's proceeding on the Flambeau 
River projects under consideration. Individuals presenting statements 
at the meeting will be asked to sign in before the meeting starts and 
to clearly identify themselves for the record.
    In accordance with Section 10(j) of the Federal Power Act (FPA), 
the Commission's staff will also meet with staff from the Wisconsin 
Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
on Tuesday, March 12 and Wednesday, March 13 at the offices of the 
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 875 South Forth Avenue, Park 
Falls, Wisconsin, to discuss inconsistencies of some recommendations 
with the comprehensive planning and public interest standards of 
Sections 4(e) and 10(a) of the FPA or the substantial evidence 
requirement of Section 313(b) of the FPA.
    All those that are formally recognized by the Commission as 
intervenors in the Flambeau Projects' proceedings are asked to refrain 
from engaging the staff in discussions of the merits of the projects 
outside of any announced meetings.
    For further information, please contact Ms. Julie Bernt at (202) 
219-2814.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-4452 Filed 2-27-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M