[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 2, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5040-5041]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-2396]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Project No. 271]


Entergy Arkansas, Inc; Notice of Availability of Study Reports 
and Request for Additional Scientific Studies

January 28, 1999.
    Entergy Arkansas, Inc. (Entergy) is preparing an application to 
obtain a new license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
(FERC) for the Carpenter-Remmel Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 271). 
The project is located on the Ouachita River in Garland and Hot Spring 
Counties, Arkansas.
    The Carpenter-Remmel Project's existing license expires on February 
28, 2003. Under FERC's regulations, Entergy must file an application 
for a new license on or before February 28, 2001. Entergy is using 
FERC's alternative licensing procedures, pursuant to 18 CFR 
Sec. 4.34(i), and is preparing the license application and applicant 
prepared environmental assessment (APEA) in cooperation with a term of 
federal, state and local agencies, non-governmental organizations 
(NGO), and the public.
    Entergy held a public meeting on March 23-24, 1998 to discuss the 
project, and solicit information from resource agencies and other 
stakeholders on project issues and alternatives that should be 
evaluated in the APEA. Following the March meetings, Entergy formed a 
Relicensing Team, consisting of federal, state and local resource 
agencies, NGOs, and the public, to help identify and develop study 
plans for the project issues. Based on the information gathered at the 
March 1998 meetings and subsequent Relicensing Team meetings, Entergy 
developed study scopes in cooperation with the Relicensing Team and 
conducted the resource studies during the summer and fall of 1998.
    On August 17, 1998, Entergy published Scoping Document 1 (SD1) and 
issued a notice of scoping meetings, pursuant to the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). On September 22, 1998, Entergy held a 
public NEPA scoping meeting at the Clarion Hotel in Hot Springs, 
Arkansas, to solicit input on any further issues and project 
alternatives for evaluation in the APEA. Following the comment period 
for SD1, Entergy conducted a whitewater boating study on November 7-8, 
1998.
    The study reports for the studies conducted in the summer and fall 
1998 are now available for review and comment. These reports can be 
reviewed at Entergy's Jones Mill office and the Hot Spring and Garland 
County Public Libraries from January 27, 1999 to March 27, 1999. A copy 
of all reports is also available at FERC's Public Reference Room at 888 
First Street, NE, Washington, D.C.
    The public is invited to review these documents and to file 
comments on the adequacy of these studies in addressing issues raised 
in the March 1998 public meeting and the September 22, 1998, NEPA 
scoping meeting. Comments on these studies and requests for any 
additional studies are due by March 27, 1999. All documents (original 
and eight copies) should be filed with: David P. Boergers, Secretary, 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, N.E., 
Washington, D.C. 20426.
    If any resource agency, Indian tribe, or person believes that an 
additional scientific study should be conducted in order to form an 
adequate factual basis for a complete application and APEA on its 
merits, the resource agency, Indian tribe, or person must file a 
request for the study with the Secretary of the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20426 
by March 27, 1999. A copy of the request must also be sent to Mr. Henry 
Jones, Entergy, P.O. Box 218, Jones Mill, AR 72105.
    Any comments or recommendations for further studies should include 
a detailed description of the recommended study and the basis for the 
study, including the study objectives and how the study and information 
sought will be useful in furthering the resource goals that are 
affected by the project. The request should include the amount of time 
needed for the recommended study and an explanation of why the existing 
data cannot be used to achieve the study objectives.
    For further information, please contact Ed Lee, (202) 219-2809 or 
E-

[[Page 5041]]

mail address at [email protected] or Henry Jones, Entergy, at (501) 
844-2148.
Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-2396 Filed 2-1-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M