[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 166 (Friday, August 28, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 44346]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-20774]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc.: Notice of Finding of No 
Significant Impact

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 
has made a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) with respect to a 
request for possible financial assistance to Minnkota Power 
Cooperative, Inc. (Minnkota Power) for the construction of the proposed 
Distribution Substation and Overhead Transmission Line for the Keystone 
Pipeline Pump Station No. 17 Project in Steele County, North Dakota.

ADDRESSES: The Environmental Assessment (EA) and FONSI are available 
for public review at USDA Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-1571; at Minnkota Power's 
headquarters office; and at the Steele County Auditor's Office in 
Finley, North Dakota.
    Contacts: To obtain copies of the EA or FONSI or for further 
information, contact Mr. Richard Fristik, Senior Environmental 
Protection Specialist, Engineering and Environmental Staff, Stop 1571, 
1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-1571, telephone: 
(202) 720-5093 or e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The study area for the proposed project is 
in Steele County, North Dakota. The proposal involves the construction 
of a substation on [frac14] acre of land inside the fenced area of the 
Keystone Pipeline Pump Station No. 17 site, construction of an 11.75-
mile 69 kV transmission line, and upgrading of 17.34 miles of existing 
69 kV transmission line. The new line would be constructed in existing 
distribution line rights-of-way and would connect the new substation to 
an existing Minnkota transmission line.
    No significant environmental impacts resulting from the proposal 
have been identified. Therefore, RUS is satisfied that the 
environmental impacts of the proposal have been adequately addressed 
and has determined that this FONSI fulfills its obligations under the 
National Environmental Policy Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), 
the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508), 
and RUS' Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR Part 1794). An 
Environmental Impact Statement will not be prepared for this proposal.

    Dated: August 24, 2009.
Nivin Elgohary,
Acting Assistant Administrator--Electric, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. E9-20774 Filed 8-27-09; 8:45 am]
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