[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 142 (Tuesday, July 26, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 43143]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-14690]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Western Area Power Administration


Construction and Operation of the Proposed Big Stone II Power 
Plant and Transmission Project, South Dakota and Minnesota

AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.

ACTION: Extension of scoping period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the Western Area Power 
Administration (Western), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is extending 
the scoping period for the Construction and Operation of the Proposed 
Big Stone II Power Plant and Transmission Project, South Dakota and 
Minnesota, Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to August 29, 2005.

DATES: The scoping period for the EIS is extended from July 27, 2005, 
to August 29, 2005. Written comments are requested by the end of the 
day on August 29, 2005, to help define the scope for the EIS. Other 
opportunities to comment will be provided during the EIS process.

ADDRESSES: Written comments regarding the scoping process should be 
addressed to NEPA Document Manager, Big Stone II EIS, A7400, Western 
Area Power Administration, PO Box 281213, Lakewood, CO 80228-8213, 
telephone (800) 336-7288, fax (720) 962-7263 or 7269, e-mail 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: NEPA Document Manager, Big Stone II 
EIS, A7400, Western Area Power Administration, PO Box 281213, Lakewood, 
CO 80228-8213, telephone (800) 336-7288, fax (720) 962-7263 or 7269, e-
mail [email protected]. For general information on DOE's National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review procedures or status of a NEPA 
review, contact Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom, Director of NEPA Policy and 
Compliance, EH-42, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue 
SW., Washington, DC 20585, telephone (202) 586-4600 or (800) 472-2756.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: By notice dated May 27, 2005 (70 FR 30716), 
Western announced the Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS for the 
construction and operation of the proposed Big Stone II Power Plant and 
Transmission Project in South Dakota and Minnesota. In that notice, 
Western described the schedule for scoping meetings for the EIS, and 
advised that the scoping period would close Wednesday, July 27, 2005. 
The public meetings were held as scheduled.
    Otter Tail Power Company, as part of the Minnesota Public Utilities 
Commission permit requirements for siting high-voltage transmission 
lines, intends to notify landowners about the proposed transmission 
corridors in late July 2005. To provide the landowners ample 
opportunity to provide input to the scope of the EIS, Western will 
extend the scooping period to August 29, 2005.

    Dated: July 19, 2005.
Michael S. Hacskaylo,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 05-14690 Filed 7-25-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P