[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 146 (Monday, July 30, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 39309]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-18876]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[FE Docket No. PP-231]


Notice of Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement; Northern States 
Power Company

AGENCY: Office of Fossil Energy, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of floodplain/wetlands involvement.

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SUMMARY: Northern States Power Company (NSP) has applied for a 
Presidential permit to construct, operate, maintain, and connect 
electric transmission facilities across the U.S. border with Canada. 
The proposed action has the potential to impact on a floodplain/
wetlands. In accordance with DOE regulations for compliance with 
floodplain/wetlands environmental review requirements (10 CFR Part 
1022), a floodplain/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 August 14, 
2001.

ADDRESSES: Written comments, questions about the proposed action, and 
requests to review the draft environmental assessment should be 
directed to: Steven Mintz, Office of Coal & Power Import/Export (FE-
27), Office of Fossil Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0350; Fax: (202) 287-
5736; e-mail: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Mintz (Program Office) 202-586-
9506 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 NSP for a Presidential permit to 
construct, operate, maintain and connect electric transmission 
facilities across the U.S. border with Canada. NSP proposes to 
construct a 230,000-volt, three-phase, alternating current electric 
transmission line that would extend approximately 53 miles from a new 
substation to be built in Rugby, North Dakota, to the U.S.-Canadian 
border just north of Rolla, North Dakota. Notice of NSP's application 
for a Presidential permit appeared in the Federal Register on February 
12, 2001 (66 FR 9826).
    Before making a final decision on granting or denying a 
Presidential permit to NSP, 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.). Because the proposed action has 
the potential to impact on a floodplain/wetlands, the EA will include a 
floodplain and wetlands assessment. DOE expects to have a draft of the 
EA available for public review in Summer 2001. 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, DC, on July 25, 2001.
Anthony J. Como,
Deputy Director, Electric Power Regulation, Office of Coal & Power 
Import/Export, Office of Coal & Power Systems, Office of Fossil Energy.
[FR Doc. 01-18876 Filed 7-27-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P