[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 214 (Monday, November 4, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56662-56663]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-28193]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service


Iliamna-Newhalen-Nondalton Electric Cooperative, Inc.; Finding of 
No Significant Impact

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of finding of no significant impact.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), 
pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, 
the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-
1508), and RUS Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR part 1794), 
has made a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) with respect to a 
project proposed by Iliamna-Newhalen-Nondalton Electric Cooperative, 
Inc. (INNEC), of Iliamna, Alaska. The proposed project is a 700 
kilowatt hydroelectric generating plant which will be built on the 
Tazimina River near Iliamna, Newhalen, and Nondalton, Section 24, Range 
32 West, Township 3 South, Seward Meridian, in Southcentral Alaska. On 
January 31, 1995, INNEC filed an application to the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission (FERC) to exempt the Tazimina River Project from 
the licensing requirements pursuant to Section 2407 of the Energy 
Policy Act of 1992. The FONSI is based on an environmental assessment 
(EA) prepared by the FERC. RUS made an independent evaluation of the 
impacts resulting from the proposed construction and concurs with the 
scope and content of the EA. In accordance with RUS Environmental 
Policies and Procedures, 7 CFR Part 1794, Subpart I, Adoption of 
Environmental Documents, RUS has adopted the FERC EA as its EA for the 
project.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lawrence R. Wolfe, Senior 
Environmental Protection Specialist, RUS, Engineering and Environmental 
Staff, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250-
1571, telephone (202) 720-1784.
    The project, located near the towns of Iliamna, Newhalen, and 
Nondalton, Alaska, would provide nearly all

[[Page 56663]]

present and near-term future energy demands of these three communities.
    Copies of the EA and FONSI are available for review at, or can be 
obtained from, RUS at the address provided herein or from Mr. Brent 
Petrie, Manager, INNEC, P.O. Box 210, Iliamna, Alaska 99606, telephone 
(907) 571-1259.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: RUS has reviewed the FERC EA and has 
determined that it represents an accurate assessment of the scope and 
level of environmental impacts of the proposed project. The FERC EA, 
which includes input from certain Federal and state agencies, has been 
adopted by RUS to serve as its EA.
    RUS has determined that the FERC EA adequately considered the 
potential impacts of the proposed project and concluded that approval 
of RUS financing for the project would not result in a major Federal 
action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. 
RUS determined that the proposed project will either have no effect on 
wetlands, floodplains, important farmlands, threatened or endangered 
species, formally classified areas and cultural resources or no 
significant effect on water quality. RUS has identified no other 
potential significant impact resulting from construction and operation 
of the proposed hydroelectric generating plant.
    Alternatives examined for the proposed project included the INNEC's 
proposed project, no action and denial of license by FERC to build the 
project. RUS determined that the proposed project is an environmentally 
acceptable alternative that meets INNEC's need with a minimum of 
adverse environmental impact. RUS has concluded that approval of RUS 
financing for the project would not constitute a major Federal action 
significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. 
Therefore, the preparation of an environmental impact statement is not 
necessary.
    In accordance with their regulations, FERC published a notice and 
requested comments on the application submitted by INNEC. All comments 
received were adequately addressed in the FERC EA. The notice published 
by FERC meets the RUS notice requirements contained in 7 CFR Part 
1794.62. On September 14, 1995, FERC issued an order granting exemption 
from licensing to INNEC to build the proposed project.

    Dated: October 28, 1996.
Adam M. Golodner,
Deputy Administrator, Program Operations.
[FR Doc. 96-28193 Filed 11-1-96; 8:45 am]
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