[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 72 (Monday, April 15, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 18192]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-9038]



[[Page 18192]]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Project No. 7000-015]


Newton Falls Holdings, LLC; Notice of Public Scoping and Site 
Visit for the Newton Falls Hydroelectric Project

April 8, 2002.
    Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act and procedures of 
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Commission staff intends 
to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) that evaluates the 
environmental impacts of issuing a new license for the constructed and 
operating Newton Falls Hydroelectric Project, No. 7000-015, located on 
the Oswegatchie River in St. Lawrence County, New York. The subject 
project does not include federal land.
    The EA will consider both site-specific and cumulative 
environmental effects, if any, of the licensee's proposed actions and 
reasonable alternatives. Preparation of staff's EA will be supported by 
a scoping process to ensure identification and analysis of all 
pertinent issues.
    At this time, the Commission staff does not anticipate holding 
formal public or agency scoping meetings. Rather, the Commission staff 
will issue a Scoping Document: (1) outlining staff's preliminary 
evaluation of subject areas to be addressed in the EA; and (2) 
requesting concerned resource agencies, Native American tribes, non-
governmental organizations, and individuals to provide staff with 
information on project area environmental resources and recreational 
access needs, and to recommend site-specific issues and concerns that 
should be evaluated in the EA.
    Before issuing the scoping document, Commission staff will hold a 
site visit of the Newton Falls Hydroelectric Project with 
representatives of the current licensee and Reliant Energy, the 
proposed new owner of the project. The site visit will take place: (1) 
on Monday, May 6, 2002, from 3 p.m. to about 6 p.m.; and (2) on 
Tuesday, May 7, 2002, from 8:30 a.m. until approximately 11:30 A.M. The 
purpose of the site visit is to enable Commission staff responsible for 
preparing the environmental assessment to view the area's existing 
resources and the project's constructed facilities.
    Officials of state and federal resource agencies and 
representatives of concerned non-governmental organizations are invited 
to participate at the site visit. Persons planning to attend should 
notify Mr. Tom Skutnik of Reliant Energy by telephone at (315) 413-2789 
or by E-mail at: [email protected]. All participants will meet at 
the Newton Falls mill parking area located off County Road 60 in Newton 
Falls, New York.
    If you have any questions concerning this matter, please telephone 
the Commission's Environmental Coordinator for the Newton Falls Project 
at (202) 219-2780 or contact him by E-mail at [email protected].

Magalie R. Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 02-9038 Filed 4-12-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P