[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 248 (Thursday, December 28, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 89679]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-28698]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Project Nos. 2341-033, 2350-025]


Georgia Power Company; Notice of Intent To Prepare an 
Environmental Assessment

    On December 18, 2018, as supplemented on May 24, 2019, September 6, 
2022, September 8, 2022, and November 1, 2023, Georgia Power Company 
(Georgia Power) filed an application to surrender, decommission, and 
remove the Langdale Hydroelectric Project No. 2341 and the Riverview 
Hydroelectric Project No. 2350. The projects are located on the 
Chattahoochee River in Chambers County, Alabama and Harris County, 
Georgia. The project does not occupy federal lands.
    The Commission issued public notice of the surrender applications 
for both proceedings on January 24, 2019, with protests, comments, and 
motions to intervene due to be filed by February 25, 2019. On February 
14, 2019, the Commission issued public notice extending the comment and 
intervention period until March 4, 2019, due to the funding lapse at 
certain federal agencies between December 22, 2018 and January 25, 
2019. Several commenters filed letters opposing the proposed dam 
removals at both projects while others expressed concern regarding the 
potential for islands in the river to be subject to increased erosion 
due to dam removal. Additional comments focused on concern for the 
potential loss of boating and fishing opportunities, loss of waterfront 
access from neighboring property, as well as for the continued 
existence of shoal bass. Letters of support for dam removal were filed 
by local citizens as well as the Georgia Department of Natural 
Resources Division of Wildlife Resources and the Chattahoochee 
Riverkeeper. The Muskogee Nation requested that archeological surveys 
be conducted prior to dam removal as well as subsequent monitoring to 
ensure protection of archeological sites.
    On September 6, 2022, and supplemented on September 8, 2022, 
Georgia Power amended its surrender applications by filing the 
decommissioning plan for both projects. The Commission issued public 
notice of the decommissioning plan on November 17, 2022, with protests, 
comments, and motions to intervene due to be filed by December 19, 
2022. On December 12, 2022, the FWS filed a letter of support for 
decommissioning the projects and removing the associated dams. No other 
comments were received pursuant to the public notice.
    On November 1, 2023, Georgia Power filed the following plans: (1) 
Final Pre-Dam Removal Shoal Bass Abundance and Tracking Study Report; 
(2) Final Sediment Quality Study Report; (3) Final Sediment Transport 
Assessment Study Report; and (4) Revised Final Hydraulic and Hydrologic 
Study Report.
    This notice identifies Commission staff's intention to prepare an 
environmental assessment (EA) for the project. The planned schedule for 
the completion of the EA is July 2024 \1\ Revisions to the schedule may 
be made as appropriate. The EA will be issued and made available for 
review by all interested parties. All comments filed on the EA will be 
reviewed by staff and considered in the Commission's final decision on 
the proceeding.
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    \1\ 42 U.S.C. 4336a(g)(1)(B) requires lead federal agencies to 
complete EAs within 1 year of the agency's decision to prepare an 
EA. This notice establishes the Commission's intent to prepare an EA 
for the project; therefore, the EA must be issued within 1 year of 
the issuance date of this notice.
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    The Commission's Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports 
meaningful public engagement and participation in Commission 
proceedings. OPP can help members of the public, including landowners, 
environmental justice communities, Tribal members, and others to access 
publicly available information and navigate Commission processes. For 
public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as 
interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, the public is 
encouraged to contact OPP at (202) 502-6595 or [email protected].
    Any questions regarding this notice may be directed to Mark Ivy at 
202.502.6156 or [email protected].

    Dated: December 21, 2023.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-28698 Filed 12-27-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P