[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 135 (Thursday, July 13, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 43309]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-17772]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[FE Docket No. PP-226]


Notice of Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement Brownsville Public 
Utilities Board

AGENCY: Office of Fossil Energy, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of Floodplain/Wetland Involvement.

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SUMMARY: Brownsville Public Utilities Board (BPUB) has applied for a 
Presidential permit to construct, connect, operate and maintain a 
double-circuit electric transmission line across the U.S. border with 
Mexico. In accordance with Department of Energy (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 July 28, 
2000.

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: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Russell (Program Office) 202-
586-9624.

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 BPUB for a Presidential permit to 
construct, connect, operate, and maintain electric transmission 
facilities across the U.S. border with Mexico. BPUB proposes to 
construct a double-circuit 138,000 volt (138-kV) transmission line, on 
wood poles, from its existing Silas Ray Power Plant in Brownsville, 
Texas, and extending 3,000 feet to the U.S.-Mexico border. Notice of 
BPUB's application for a Presidential permit appeared in the Federal 
Register on June 30, 2000 (65 FR 40618).
    Before making a final decision on granting or denying a 
Presidential permit to BPUB, 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 August, 2000. 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.
    If you wish further information on DOE's floodplain and wetlands 
environmental review requirements, please 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.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 7, 2000.
Anthony J. Como,
Deputy Director, Electric Power Regulation, Office of Coal & Power Im/
Ex, Office of Fossil Energy.
[FR Doc. 00-17772 Filed 7-12-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P