[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 23, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8806-8807]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-4404]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Project Nos. 477, 135, and 2195]


Portland General Electric Company, Portland, OR; Notice of 
Initial Information Meeting for Portland General Electric Company's 
Relicense of the Bull Run, Oak Grove, and North Fork Hydroelectric 
Projects

February 17, 1999.
    By letter dated September 1, 1998, Portland General Electric 
Company (PGE) of Portland, Oregon, has asked to use an alternative 
procedure, including use of a third-party contractor, in filing an 
application for a new license for their Bull Run Project No. 477, Oak 
Grove Project No. 135, and North Fork Project No. 2195.\1\
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    \1\ The Bull Run project, near the town of Sandy, Oregon, 
consists of diversion dams on the Sandy River and Little Sand River 
and a powerhouse on the Bull Run River. The Oak Grove Project, near 
the town of Estacada, Oregon, consists of two dams on the Oak Grove 
Fork of the Clackamas River and a powerhouse on the Clackamas River. 
The North Fork Project, also near the town of Estacada, Oregon, 
consists of three dams and a powerhouse on the Clackamas River.
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    The Commission's regulations allow applicants the option of hiring 
a third-party contractor (supervised by the Commission) to prepare a 
Preliminary Draft Environmental Impact Statement (PDEIS) for a 
hydropower project, and filing the PDEIS with their license application 
as part of the alternative licensing procedure.\2\ On December 10, 
1998, the Commission approved the use of an alternative licensing 
procedure in the preparation of the Bull Run, Oak Grove, and North Fork 
license applications.
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    \2\ 81 FERC 61,103 (1997).
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    The alternative procedures include provisions for the distribution 
of an initial information package, and for the identification of 
special studies and environmental issues. On December 21, 1998, 
Portland General Electric distributed an initial information package 
(IIP) to all parties who had expressed interest in the proceeding for

[[Page 8807]]

the Bull Run Project. On February 12, 1999, PGE distributed IIPs to all 
parties for the Oak Grove and North Fork Projects. Copies of the IIPs 
can be obtained by contacting David Heintzman of PGE at 503-464-8162.
    Two public meetings will be held to discuss these documents. PGE 
will give an overview of the existing facilities and operation, discuss 
what is currently known about environmental resources at the project, 
and discuss how those resources are currently being managed. As time 
permits, preliminary environmental issues and special studies will be 
discussed.
    Additional notices seeking comments on the specific project 
proposal, public scoping, interventions and protests, and recommended 
terms and conditions will be issued at later dates.
    PGE will hold the public meetings on March 16 & 17. All interested 
individuals, organizations, and agency representatives are invited and 
encouraged to attend any or all the meetings.
    The March 16th meeting will be held at the Environmental Learning 
Center, Lakeside Education Hall, Clackamas Community College, 19600 
South Molalla Avenue, Oregon City, Oregon, from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.
    The March 17th meeting will be held at the Two World Trade Center, 
Plaza Conference Room, 121 SW Salmon Street, Portland, Oregon from 9 
a.m. until 3 p.m.
    For further information, pleases contact Dave Hientzman at PGE at 
503-464-8162 or John Blair at the Commission at (202) 219-2845.
Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-4404 Filed 2-22-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M