[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 5, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46440-46441]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-22234]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[FE Docket Nos. PP-234 and PP-235]


Notice of Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement Baja California 
Power, Inc. and Sempra Energy Resources

AGENCY: Office of Fossil Energy, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of floodplain/wetland involvement.

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SUMMARY: Baja California Power, Inc. (BCP) and Sempra Energy Resources 
(SER) have both applied for Presidential permits to construct, operate, 
maintain, and connect double-circuit electric transmission lines across 
the U.S. border with Mexico. The proposed action(s) have 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), floodplain or wetlands assessments 
will be performed for these proposed actions 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 September 
20, 2001.

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/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: Ellen Russell (Program Office) 202-
586-9624 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 applications from BCP and SER for Presidential permits to 
construct, operate, maintain and connect double circuit 230,000 
kilovolt (230-kV) transmission lines across the U.S. border with Mexico 
to interconnect new merchant powerplants being constructed in Mexico 
with the electrical system of San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) at 
SDG&E's existing Imperial Valley Substation. Notice of filing of the 
BCP and SER Presidential permit applications appeared in the Federal 
Register on March 22, 2001 (66 FR 16044 and 66 FR 16045, respectively).
    Before making a final decision on granting or denying a 
Presidential permit DOE will prepare a single 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. A floodplain statement of findings will be 
included in any Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) that may be

[[Page 46441]]

issued following completion of the EA. Copies of the EA and FONSI may 
be requested by telephone, facsimile, or e-mail from the address given 
above.

    Issued in Washington, D. C., on August 29, 2001.
Anthony J. Como,
Deputy Director, Electric Power Regulation, Office of Coal & Power 
Import/Export, Office of Fossil Energy.
[FR Doc. 01-22234 Filed 9-4-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P