[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 120 (Thursday, June 20, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 31520]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-15691]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Project No. 7481-068]


New York State Dam Limited Partnership; Notice of Availability of 
Draft Environmental Assessment

June 14, 1996.
    A draft environmental assessment (DEA) is available for public 
review. The DEA was prepared for New York State Dam Limited Partnership 
(licensee) to provide passage for adult blueback herring at the New 
York State Dam Hydroelectric Project. In a letter dated April 9, 1993, 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) recommended that the licensee 
operate its existing fish bypass to provide downstream fish passage for 
migrating adult blueback herring in the Mohawk River.
    Article 15 of the project license requires the licensee, for the 
conservation and development of fish resources, operate project 
facilities as may be ordered by the Commission upon its own motion or 
upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Interior, after notice and 
opportunity for hearing.
    In summary, the DEA examines the environmental impacts of four 
alternatives for providing downstream fish passage for adult blueback 
herring at the project: (1) continuous flow; (2) summer operation; (3) 
spill; and (4) no-action. These alternatives are described in detail on 
pages five and six of the DEA.
    The DEA recommends that the licensee operate its fish bypass in 
accordance with the summer operation alternative. The DEA concludes 
that implementation of this alternative would not constitute a major 
federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human 
environment.
    This DEA was written by staff in the Office of Hydropower Licensing 
(OHL). As such, the DEA is OHL staff's preliminary analysis of FWS's 
recommendation for downstream passage of adult blueback herring. No 
final conclusions have been made by the Commission regarding this 
matter. Any action, pursuant to article 15, will be initiated by the 
Commission only after notice and opportunity for hearing.
    Should you wish to provide comments on the DEA, they should be 
filed within 60 days from the date of this notice. Comments should be 
addressed to: Ms. Lois D. Cashell, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, 888 First Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20426. Please 
include the project number (7481-068) on any comments filed.
Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-15691 Filed 6-19-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M