[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 79 (Monday, April 26, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 20281]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-10410]



[[Page 20281]]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[FE Docket No. PP-206]


Notice of Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement, Frontera 
Generation Limited Partnership

AGENCY: Office of Fossil Energy, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of floodplain/wetland involvement.

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SUMMARY: Frontera Generation Limited Partnership (Frontera) has applied 
for a Presidential permit to construct, connect, operate, and maintain 
electric transmission facilities across the U.S. border with Mexico. In 
accordance with DOE regulations for compliance with floodplain/wetlands 
environmental review requirements (10 CFR Part 1022), a floodplain or 
wetlands assessment will be performed for this proposed action in a 
manner so as to avoid or minimize potential harm to or within 
potentially affected floodplain and wetlands.

DATES: Comments are due to the address below no later than May 11, 
1999.

ADDRESSES: Written comments, questions about the proposed action, and 
requests to review the draft environmental assessment should be 
directed to: Ellen Russell, Office of Coal & Power Import and Export 
(FE-27), Office of Fossil Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 
Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20585-0350. Fax: (202) 287-
5736. E-mail: Ellen.R[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Russell (Program Office) 202-
586-9624 or Michael T. Skinker (Program Attorney) 202-586-6667.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON GENERAL DOE FLOODPLAIN AND WETLANDS 
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW REQUIREMENTS CONTACT: Carol M. Borgstrom, 
Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Assistance (EH-42), U.S. Department 
of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20585-0119; 
Phone: 202-586-4600 or leave a message at 800-472-2756.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under Executive Order 11988, Floodplain 
Management, and 10 CFR Part 1022, Compliance with Floodplain-Wetlands 
Environmental Review Requirements (http://tis-nt.eh.doe.gov/nepa/tools/
regulate/nepa_reg/1022/1022.htm), notice is given that DOE is 
considering an application from Frontera for a Presidential permit to 
construct, connect, operate, and maintain electric transmission 
facilities across the U.S. border with Mexico. Frontera proposes to 
construct a temporary 138,000-volt (138-kV) transmission line across 
the U.S. border with Mexico, near Mission, Texas, in June, 1999. The 
line would be approximately two miles long and constructed on wooden 
poles. At a later date, Frontera proposes to construct a permanent, 
double-circuit 230-kV transmission line on steel towers along the same 
right-of-way and subsequently remove the temporary 138-kV facilities. 
Notice of Frontera's application for a Presidential permit appeared in 
the Federal Register on March 9, 1999 (64 FR 11457).
    Before making a final decision on granting or denying a 
Presidential permit to Frontera, DOE will prepare an environmental 
assessment (EA) to address the environmental impacts that would accrue 
from the proposed project and reasonable alternatives. The EA will be 
prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). The EA will include a floodplain 
and wetlands assessment. DOE expects to have a draft of the EA 
available for public review in May, 1999. Copies may be requested by 
telephone, facsimile, or e-mail from the address given above. A 
floodplain statement of findings will be included in any Finding of No 
Significant Impact that may be issued following completion of the EA.

    Issued in Washington, D. C., on April 19, 1999.
Anthony J. Como,
Manager, Electric Power Regulation, Office of Coal & Power Im/Ex, 
Office of Fossil Energy.
[FR Doc. 99-10410 Filed 4-23-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P