[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 25 (Thursday, February 6, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 5623]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2930]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Project No. 1417; Project No. 1835]


Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District Nebraska 
Public Power District; Notice Extending Deadline To Submit Final 
Biological Opinion

January 31, 1997.
    On December 4, 1996, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and 
Wildlife Service (FWS), issued its draft biological opinion on 
threatened and endangered species for the relicensing of the Kingsley 
Dam Project No. 1417 and the North Platte/Keystone Diversion Dam 
Project No. 1835. The two hydropower projects are located on the North 
Platte, South Platte, and Platte Rivers in Nebraska. On December 17, 
1996, Commission staff participated in a meeting with FWS to discuss 
the draft biological opinion. Formal consultation on the draft opinion 
was completed at the conclusion of the December 17 meeting.\1\ FWS is 
required to deliver its final biological opinion to the Commission 
within 45 days after formal consultation is consulted, i.e., no later 
than January 31, 1997.\2\
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    \1\ See the December 11, 1996 notice of public meeting 
(unpublished) issued in this proceeding.
    \2\ 50 CFR 402.14(e)(3).
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    FWS has not submitted the final biological opinion as required. By 
letter January 14, 1997, FWS informed the Commission that it would not 
complete the final biological opinion until May 2, 1997, and asked the 
Commission to adopt its revised schedule.\3\ Given FWS's failure to 
meet the January 31, 1997 deadline and its January 14 letter setting 
out a revised schedule, an extension of the deadline for submitting the 
final biological opinion is warranted. The new deadline for the final 
biological opinion is May 2, 1997, as requested.
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    \3\ The applicants agree an extension is appropriate.
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Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-2930 Filed 2-5-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M