[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 187 (Tuesday, September 28, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52290-52291]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-25179]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


M&A Electric Power Cooperative, Inc.; Notice of Availability of 
an Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 
and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are issuing an environmental 
assessment with respect to the potential environmental impacts related 
to the construction and operation of a 69 kV electric transmission line 
and substation in Wayne County, Missouri. RUS may provide financing 
assistance to M&A Electric Power Cooperative, Inc., for the project. 
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will grant a right-of-way easement 
across property they manage for a portion of the transmission line and 
the substation.

FOR FUTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bob Quigel, Environmental Protection 
Specialist, Rural Utilities Service, Engineering and Environmental 
Staff, Stop 1571, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-
1571, telephone: (202) 720-0468. Bob's e-mail address is 
[email protected]. Information is also available from Tony Gott, M&A 
Electric Power Cooperative, Inc., Highway PP, West, Poplar Bluff, 
Missouri 63901, (573) 785-9651.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The project consists of the construction of 
a 69 kV electric transmission line and substation to be located in 
Wayne County, Missouri. The project will be constructed by M&A Electric 
Power Cooperative, Inc. The line will tie into an existing substation 
located near Patterson and be connected to a new substation to be 
constructed near Silva. The length of the transmission line is 
approximately 7 miles. The substation will require approximately 4 
acres of land. A portion of the transmission line and the substation 
will be located within the Wappapello Lake Project area which is 
managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers is a cooperating agency in the environmental review of this 
project.
    Burns and McDonnell prepared an environmental assessment for RUS 
and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers which describes the project and 
assesses its environmental impacts. RUS and the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers have conducted an independent evaluation of the environmental 
assessment and believe that it accurately assesses the impacts of the 
proposed project. No significant impacts are expected as a result of 
the construction of the project.
    The environmental assessment can be reviewed at the Piedmont Public 
Library, 118 West Green, Piedmont, Missouri 63957, telephone (573) 223-
7036, the headquarters of M&A Electric Power Cooperative, Inc., at the 
address provided above, or the headquarters of RUS, at the address 
provided above.
    Questions and comments should be sent to RUS at the address 
provided. RUS will accept questions and comments on the environmental 
assessment for at least 30 days from the date of publication of this 
notice.
    Any final action by RUS related to the proposed project will be 
subject to, and

[[Page 52291]]

contingent upon, compliance with all relevant Federal environmental 
laws and regulations and completion of environmental review procedures 
as prescribed by the 7 CFR part 1794, Environmental Policies and 
Procedures.

    Dated: September 22, 1999.
Blaine D. Stockton, Jr.,
Assistant Administrator--Electric.
[FR Doc. 99-25179 Filed 9-27-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P