[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 145 (Thursday, July 29, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41107-41108]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-19389]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Project Nos. 2364-000; 2365-000]


Madison Paper Industries Maine; Madison Paper Industies' Request 
To use Alternative Procedures in Filing Hydroelectric License 
Applications

July 23, 1999.
    By letter dated July 12, 1999, Madison Paper Industries (Madison), 
asked for Commission approved to use an alternative procedures in a 
filing application for the 9-megawatt (MW) Anson Project, No. 2365, and 
the 17-MW Abenaki Project, No. 2364.\1\ Madison has demonstrated that 
it made a reasonable effort to contact the resource agencies, Indian 
tribes, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and others who may be 
affected by their proposal, and has submitted a communication protocol 
governing how participants in the proposed process communicate with 
each other. Madison believes there is a consensus on using the 
alternative process, and it appears that the use of an alternative 
procedure may be appropriate in this case.
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    \1\ The projects are located on the Kennebec River in the towns 
of Anson and Madison, Somerset County, Maine. The Anson impoundment 
encompasses about 7 miles of the Kennebec River and 0.5 mile of the 
Carrabassett River. The Abenaki impoundment encompasses about 0.5 
mile of the Kennebec River immediately below the Anson Project.
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    The purpose of this notice is to invited comments on Madison's 
request to use the alternative procedure, as required by section 
4.34(i)(5) of the Commission's regulations. Additional notices seeking 
comments on specific project proposals, interventions and protests, and 
recommended terms and conditions will be issued at a later date.
    The alternative procedure combines the prefiling consultation 
process with the environmental review process and allows the applicant 
to file an Applicant-Prepared Environmental Assessment (APEA) in lieu 
of Exhibit E of the license applications. 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 before filing it, but the Commission staff performs the 
environmental review after the application is filed. 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. The 
alternative procedure can be tailored to the project under 
consideration.

Alternative Process and the Anson and Abenaki Projects

    Madison intends on preparing an APEA for the projects to: 
consolidate and streamline the licensing process; provide for the early 
identification of environmental impacts; take into account cumulative 
project impacts and evaluate alternatives for addressing those impacts; 
and promote early, comprehensive settlement discussions.
    On February 12, 1999, Madison distributed an Initial Stage 
Consultation Document for the projects to state and federal resource 
agencies, Indian tribes, and NGOs. Madison scheduled a meeting for all 
interested parties on Feburary 24 and 25, 1999, respectively. During 
spring 1999, Madison developed and consulted on survey plans for 
ambient water quality, benthic macroinvertebrates, and fisheries. These 
surveys are being conducted during summer and early fall, 1999. Public

[[Page 41108]]

scoping meetings and a site visit are planned for Fall 1999, when 
additional study requests will be requested. The applications, 
including the applicant-prepared EA, would be filed with the Commission 
before May 1, 2002, the expiration date of Madison's current licenses. 
Each application would include a common multi-project APEA, adapted, as 
necessary, to the individual application.

Comments

    Interested parties have 30 days from the date of this notice to 
file with the Commission, any comments on Madison's proposal to use the 
altenative procedures to file applications for the Anson and Abenaki 
Projects.

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 comments filings must bear the heading ``Comments on the 
Alternative Procedure,'' and include the names and numbers of the 
projects:

Abenaki Hydro Project, No. 2364
Anson Hydro Project, No. 2365
    For further information, please contact Nan Allen of the Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission at 202-219-2938, or E-mail at 
Nan.A[email protected].
Lindwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-19389 Filed 7-28-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M