[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 197 (Wednesday, October 9, 1996)] [Notices] [Page 52908] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-26012] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service Notice of Intent To Conduct Public Meetings and Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of Intent to conduct public scoping workshops and prepare an Environmental Impact Statement. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) intends to hold public scoping workshops and prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in connection with a project in Alaska proposed by the seven electric utilities that are collectively known as the Intertie Participants Group (IPG). The IPG consists of Chugach Electric Association, Inc. (Chugach), Municipality of Anchorage--Municipal Light and Power, City of Seward--Seward Electric System, Matanuska Electric Association, Inc., and the Municipality of Fairbanks--Fairbanks Municipal Utilities System, Golden Valley Electric Association, Inc. (GVEA), and Homer Electric Association, Inc. (HEA). GVEA and HEA intend to apply for RUS financing assistance for the proposed project. Chugach will act as the construction manager for the proposed project. The proposal, which is referred to as the Southern Intertie Project, consists of the construction and operation of a 230 kV transmission line to be operated initially at 138 kV between Anchorage and a location on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. DATES: RUS will conduct three public scoping workshops as follows: November 12, 1996, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Spenard Community Recreation Center, 2020 West 48th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska, Tel: (907) 343-4160 November 13, 1996, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Cooper Landing Community Hall, Bean Creek Road, Cooper Landing, Alaska, Tel: (907) 595-1257 November 14, 1996, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Kenai Peninsula Borough Chambers, 144 N. Binkley Street, Soldotna, Alaska, Tel: (907) 262-4441. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nurul Islam, Environmental Protection Specialist, RUS, Engineering and Environmental Staff, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250-1571, telephone (202) 720- 1784, or Dora Gropp, Chugach Electric Association, Inc., 5601 Minnesota Drive, P.O. Box 196300, Anchorage, Alaska 99519-6300, telephone, (800) 478-7494/(907) 762-4626. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: GVEA and HEA, along with the other five IPG members, are proposing to construct a 230 kV transmission line between Anchorage and a location on the Kenai Peninsula. Alternatives to be considered by RUS include no action, energy conservation, local generation, system alternatives, transmission alternatives, and alternative routes. Comments regarding the proposed project may be submitted orally or in writing within 30 days after the November 14, 1996, workshop to RUS at the address provided in this notice. The IPG and their consultants have prepared a report entitled, ``Southern Intertie Route Selection Study'' (Study) for the project. The Environmental Section Report and the Executive Summary Section Report from that Study are available for public review at RUS or Chugach, at the addresses provided in this notice. These reports are also available at the other participants' offices and local libraries. Please consult local notices for locations. Based on the study mentioned above and input from interested local, state, and Federal agencies and the public, the IPG and their consultants will prepare an Environmental Analysis to be submitted to RUS for review. RUS will prepare a Draft EIS based on the Environmental Analysis and any other information available to RUS. The Draft EIS will be available for public review for 45 days. The Final EIS will then be prepared considering all the comments received, and made available for public review and comment at least for 30 days. At the end of 30-day comment period a Record of Decision will be issued on the project. This proposal will require compliance with Title 11 of Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act if lands under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are crossed. Any final action by RUS 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 review procedures as prescribed by the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations and RUS Environmental Policies and Procedures. Dated: October 4, 1996. Adam M. Golodner, Deputy Administrator, Program Operations. [FR Doc. 96-26012 Filed 10-8-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-15-P