[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 70 (Monday, April 13, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17997-17998]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9603]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Project 11591-000, AK]


City of Wrangell, Alaska; Notice of City of Wrangell, Alaska's 
Request To Use Alternative Procedures in Filing a License Application

April 7, 1998.
    The preliminary permit holder, City of Wrangell, Alaska (City), has 
asked to use an alternative procedure in filing an application for 
original license for the proposed Sunrise Lake Water and Hydroelectric 
Project, No. 11591 (Sunrise Lake Project).\1\ The City has demonstrated 
that they have made an effort to contact all resource agencies, Indian 
tribes, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and others affected by 
their proposal, and that a consensus exists that the use of an 
alternative procedure is appropriate in this case. The City has also 
submitted a communication protocol that is supported by most interested 
entities.
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    \1\ The 2.5-megawatt project would be located on Woronkofski 
Island, 4 miles southwest of Wrangell, Alaska, within the boundaries 
of the Tongass National Forest.
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    The purpose of this notice is to invite any additional comments on 
the City's request to use the alternative procedure, as required under 
the final rule for Regulations for the Licensing of Hydroelectric 
Projects.\2\ Additional notices seeking comments on the specific 
project proposal, interventions and protests, and recommended terms and 
conditions will be issued at a later date.
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    \2\ 81 FERC para.61,103 (1997).
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    The alternative procedure being requested here combines the 
prefiling consultation process with the environmental review process, 
allowing the applicant to complete and file an Environmental Assessment 
(EA) in lieu of Exhibit E of the license application. This differs from 
the traditional process, in which the applicant consults with agencies, 
Indian tribes, and NGOs during preparation of the application for the 
license and the Commission staff performs the environmental review 
after the application is filed by the applicant. The alternative 
procedure is intended to simplify and expedite the licensing process by 
combining the prefiling consultation and environmental review processes 
into a single process, to facilitate greater participation, and to 
improve communication and cooperation among the participants.

Applicant Prepared EA Process and Sunrise Lake Project Schedule

    On January 20, 1998, the City distributed an Initial Consultation 
Package for the proposed project to state and federal resource 
agencies, Indian tribes, and NGOs. The City scheduled a consultation 
meeting for all interested parties on February 17, 1998, to present 
their proposal for the project and solicit study requests from 
participants. Notice announcing the meeting was published locally, as 
required by Commission regulations.
    Public scoping meetings are planned for late May 1998. The City is 
requesting that all parties to the proceeding provide written requests 
for study by April 18, 1998. Studies would be

[[Page 17998]]

conducted during summer 1998, as needed. The application, including the 
applicant-prepared EA, would be filed with the Commission on or before 
December 31, 1998.

Comments

    Interested parties have 30 days from the date of this notice to 
file with the Commission, any comments on the City's proposal to use 
the alternative procedures to file an application for the Sunrise Lake 
Project.

Filing Requirements

    The comments must be filed by providing an original and 8 copies as 
required by the Commission's regulations to: Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, Office of the Secretary, Dockets--Room 1A, 888 First 
Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426.
    All comment filings must bear the heading ``Comments on the 
Alternative Procedure,'' and include the project name and number 
(Sunrise Lake Water and Hydroelectric Project, No. 11591).
    For further information, please contact Nick Jayjack of the Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission at (202) 219-2825 or E-mail at 
[email protected].
Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-9603 Filed 4-10-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M