[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 246 (Friday, December 20, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67304-67305]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-32287]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service


Marshalls Energy Company, 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 (NEPA) 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 the Marshalls Energy Company, Inc. (MEC), of 
the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The proposed

[[Page 67305]]

project consists of two 6.22 megawatt (MW) diesel electric generating 
units and associated facilities that will be constructed immediately 
adjacent to the existing Majuro Generating Station, on Dalap Island 
which is part of the Majuro Atoll.
    RUS has concluded that the environmental impacts from the proposed 
project would not be significant and that the proposed action is not a 
major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human 
environment. Therefore, the preparation of an environmental impact 
statement is not required.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lawrence R. Wolfe, Senior Environmental Protection Specialist, USDA 
Rural Utilities Service, Engineering and Environmental Staff, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250-1571, 
telephone: (202) 720-5093.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 161 of the Compact of Free 
Association (Compact), Public Law 99-239, among the Government of the 
United States, Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia 
requires Federal agencies shall apply NEPA to their activities under 
the Compact and its related agreements as if the Marshall Islands and 
the Federated States of Micronesia were the United States.
    RUS, in accordance with its environmental policies and procedures, 
required that MEC submit a Borrower's Environmental Report (BER) 
reflecting the potential impacts of the proposed facilities. The BER 
prepared for MEC by Howard Engineers and Constructors, Ltd. and Earth 
Technology Corporation includes input from Republic of the Marshall 
Islands agencies. RUS has adopted the BER as its Environmental 
Assessment for the project in accordance with 7 CFR 1794.61. RUS has 
concluded that the BER represents an accurate assessment of the 
environmental impacts of the project. The proposed project should have 
no impact on cultural resources, floodplains, wetlands, important 
farmland, water quality, air quality, and federally listed or proposed 
for listing threatened or endangered species or their critical habitat.
    Alternatives considered to the proposed project included no action, 
load management, and alternative energy sources. RUS has considered 
these alternatives and has concluded that by adding new diesel 
generating units, MEC can accommodate the current and projected load 
requirements on the Majuro Atoll and provide the flexibility of 
maintenance during peak load periods.
    Copies of the BER and FONSI are available for review at RUS at the 
address provided herein; or can be reviewed at or obtained from the 
offices of MEC, P.O. Box 1430, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH 96960, 
telephone (692) 625-3507 during normal business hours.

    Dated: December 13, 1996.
Adam M. Golodner,
Deputy Administrator, Program Operations.
[FR Doc. 96-32287 Filed 12-19-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-M