[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 116 (Thursday, June 17, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33883-33884]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-13692]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Inc.; Notice of Intent To 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental assessment.

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[[Page 33884]]

SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency delivering the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Utilities Programs, 
intends to prepare an environmental assessment (EA) in connection with 
possible impacts related to the construction and operation of a new 
gas-fired combustion turbine generation facility. The project is 
proposed by Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. (Basin), of 
Bismarck, North Dakota. RUS may provide financing assistance for the 
project.

FOR FUTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nurul Islam, Environmental Protection 
Specialist, RUS, Engineering and Environmental Staff, Stop 1571, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-1571, telephone: (202) 
720-1414 or e-mail: [email protected].; or Jim Berg, Basin at (701) 
223-0441 or e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Basin is proposing to construct an 80 
Megawatt simple-cycle gas turbine and is evaluating potential sites 
located in Brown and Deuel Counties, South Dakota. One site is located 
approximately 5 miles south of the town of Groton, in Brown County. A 
second potential site is located approximately 27 miles southeast of 
Watertown, in Deuel County. Depending on the site selected, associated 
facilities could include a gas pipeline, water pipeline and electric 
transmission facilities.
    Comments regarding the proposed project may be submitted in writing 
no later than July 19, 2004, to RUS at the address provided above.
    An environmental assessment (EA) will be prepared for the proposed 
project. Based on a review of the EA and other relevant information, 
RUS will determine if the preparation of an environmental impact 
statement is necessary. Should RUS determine that the preparation of an 
environmental impact statement is not necessary, it will prepare a 
Finding of No Significant Impact.
    Any final action by RUS related to the proposed project will be 
subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant Federal, 
State, and local environmental laws and regulations and completion of 
the environmental review procedures as prescribed by 7 CFR Part 1794, 
Environmental Policies and Procedures.

    Dated: June 8, 2004.
Glendon Deal,
Director, Engineering and Environmental Staff, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 04-13692 Filed 6-16-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P