[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 172 (Tuesday, September 5, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 53716]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-22622]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Project No. 2146-081; Alabama]


Alabama Power Company; Notice of Availability of Draft 
Environmental Assessment

August 29, 2000.
    A draft environmental assessment (DEA) is available for public 
review. The DEA analyzes the environmental impacts of a request to 
revise the rule curve and Interim Flood Control Plan (Interim Plan) 
filed by Alabama Power Company (APC). In its Interim Plan, APC requests 
approval of a temporary variance to keep water levels in Neely Henry 
Reservoir higher during the winter. Neely Henry Reservoir is part of 
the Coosa River Hydroelectric Project. The reservoir is located in 
Calhoun, St. Clair and Etowah Counties, Alabama. Currently, lake levels 
must be maintained at elevation 508 msl from May 1 to October 31; drawn 
down to elevation 505 msl by about November 7 and maintained at this 
level until about April 15; then raised to elevation 508 msl by April 
30. APC proposes to maintain Neely Henry Reservoir at elevation 508 msl 
from May 1 to September 30; draw down to elevation 507 msl by November 
30 and maintain this level until March 31; then raise back up to 
elevation 508 msl by May 1. This part of the Interim Plan is for 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) approval.
    In its Interim Plan, APC also requests approval of revised 
reservoir regulation procedures for Neely Henry Reservoir. The 
regulation procedures are contained in the Department of Army, Mobile 
District Corps of Engineer's (Corps) Reservoir Regulation Manual and 
are used by APC to lower the reservoir in anticipation of a flood. The 
revised regulation procedures are shown in detail in the DEA. This part 
of the Interim Plan is for Corps approval.
    APC would implement its Interim Plan for up to three years during a 
trial period. At the end of the trial, APC would decide whether to file 
an application to make the Interim Plan permanent.
    The DEA was written by Commission staff in the Office of Energy 
Projects in cooperation with Corps staff. Commission and Corps staff 
believe APC's proposed Interim Plan, pending further review as 
discussed in the DEA, would not constitute a major federal action 
significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. Copies of 
the DEA can be viewed on the web at www.ferc.fed.us/online/rims.htm. 
Call (202) 208-2222 for assistance. Copies are also available for 
inspection and reproduction at the Commission's Public Reference Room 
located at 888 First Street, NE, Room 2A, Washington DC 20426, or by 
calling (202) 208-1371.
    Anyone may file comments on the DEA. The public, federal and state 
resource agencies are encouraged to provide comments. All comments must 
be filed within 30 days of the date of this notice shown above. Send an 
original and eight copies of all comments marked with the project 
number P-2146-081 to: The Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, 888 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20426. If you have any 
questions regarding this notice, please call Steve Hocking at (202) 
219-2656.

Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-22622 Filed 9-01-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M