[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 4 (Tuesday, January 7, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 763]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-233]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Project No. 77-110]


Pacific Gas and Electric Company; Notice of Filing and Requesting 
Comments

December 31, 2002.
    On November 29, 2002, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) 
filed with the Commission its final biological opinion for a proposed 
license amendment for the Potter Valley Project (PVP; FERC No. 77-110). 
The proposed amendment involves changes in the minimum flow release 
requirements at the project, consisting of increased releases to the 
Eel River, which would result in overall decreased diversions to the 
Russian River. The PVP is licensed to Pacific Gas and Electric Company 
(PG&E) and is located in Lake and Mendocino counties, California.
    The NMFS biological opinion finds that the proposed increase in 
minimum flow releases to the Eel River is likely to jeopardize the 
continued existence of southern Oregon/northern California coho salmon, 
California coastal chinook salmon, and California steelhead and likely 
to adversely modify designated critical habitat in the Eel River Basin. 
With respect to salmonids in the Russian River, it is the NMFS' 
biological opinion that the proposed action is not likely to jeopardize 
listed species or adversely modify designated critical habitat. The 
biological opinion includes a ``Reasonable and Prudent Alternative,'' 
which the NMFS believes should avoid jeopardy to listed species.
    The purpose of this notice is to request comments on the NMFS 
biological opinion, including its ``Reasonable and Prudent 
Alternative.'' Copies of the biological opinion are available for 
review at the Commission in the Public Reference Room or may be viewed 
on the Commission's Web site at http://www.ferc.gov using the 
``FERRIS'' link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three 
digits in the docket number field to access the document. For 
assistance, contact FERC Online Support at [email protected] 
or toll-free at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY, (202) 502-8659.
    Comments on the biological opinion should be filed with the 
Commission within 30 days from the issuance date of this notice.
    All documents (original and eight copies) should be filed with: 
Magalie R. Salas, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 
First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. The Commission's Rules of 
Practice require all intervenors filing documents with the Commission 
to serve a copy of that document on each person on the official service 
list for the project. Further, if an intervenor files comments or 
documents with the Commission relating to the merits of an issue that 
may affect the responsibilities of a particular resource agency, they 
must also serve a copy of the document on that resource agency.
    Motions to intervene and protests may be filed electronically via 
the Internet in lieu of paper. The Commission strongly encourages 
electronic filings. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions 
on the Commission's Web site (http://www.ferc.gov) under the ``e-
Filing'' link.
    For additional information concerning the foregoing, please contact 
John Mudre at (202) 502-8902.
    Comments due: January 30, 2003.

Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-233 Filed 1-3-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P