[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 72 (Friday, April 14, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 19494]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-5555]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Project No. 2150-033]


Puget Sound Energy, Inc., Washington; Notice of Availability of a 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Baker River Hydroelectric 
Project

April 7, 2006.
    In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (Commission) 
regulations, 18 CFR part 380 (Order No. 486, 52 FR 47897), the Office 
of Energy Projects has reviewed the application for a license for the 
Baker River Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 2150-033), located on the 
Baker River in Whatcom and Skagit counties, Washington and has prepared 
a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project. The draft 
EIS was prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
pursuant to 40 CFR 1501.6 of the National Environmental Policy Act. The 
Baker River Project occupies 5,207 acres of lands within the Mt. Baker-
Snoqualmie National Forest managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
    In the draft EIS, Commission staff evaluate the applicant's 
proposal and the alternatives for relicensing the project. The draft 
EIS documents the views of governmental agencies, non-governmental 
organizations, affected Indian tribes, the public, the license 
applicant, and Commission staff.
    Comments should be filed with Magalie R. Salas, Secretary, Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC, 
20426. All comments must be filed by May 30, 2006, and should reference 
Project No. 2150-033. Comments 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 instructions on 
the Commission's Web site at http://www.ferc.gov under the eLibrary 
link.
    The Commission staff will consider comments made on the draft EIS 
in preparing a final EIS for the project. Before the Commission makes a 
licensing decision, it will take into account all concerns relevant to 
the public interest. The final EIS will be part of the record from 
which the Commission will make its decision.
    Copies of the draft EIS are available for review in the 
Commission's Public Reference Branch or may be viewed on the 
Commission's Web site at http://www.ferc.gov under the eLibrary 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 (866) 208-
3676, or for TTY, (202) 502-8659.
    You may also register online at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp to be notified via e-mail of new filings and 
issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, 
contact FERC Online Support.
    Anyone may intervene in this proceeding based on this draft EIS (18 
CFR 380.10). You must file your request to intervene as specified 
above.\1\ You do not need intervenor status to have your comments 
considered.
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    \1\ Interventions may also be filed electronically via the 
Internet in lieu of paper. See the previous discussion on filing 
comments electronically.
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    For further information, contact Steve Hocking at (202) 502-8753 or 
at [email protected].

Magalie R. Salas,
Secretary. Project No. 2150-033
 [FR Doc. E6-5555 Filed 4-13-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P