[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 21 (Wednesday, January 31, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 6113]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-01899]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Project No. 1417-277]


Central Nebraska Public Power & Irrigation District; Notice of 
Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment

    On December 31, 2020, as supplemented on July 22, 2021, Central 
Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District (Central) filed a non-
capacity amendment of license application requesting Commission 
approval to modify the project boundary for the Kingsley Dam Project. 
Central's request is based on its analysis of the existing lands and 
shorelines around project reservoirs to determine their need for 
project operation and other project purposes, including public access 
for recreation. The proposed boundary modification would add 
approximately 3,400 acres and remove approximately 900 acres, resulting 
in a net increase of 2,500 acres of additional lands to be included 
within the project boundary. The project is located on the North Platte 
and Platte Rivers in Garden, Keith, Lincoln, Dawson, and Gosper 
counties, in south-central Nebraska.
    The Commission issued a public notice of the amendment application 
on February 9, 2021, with protests, comments, and motions to intervene 
due to be filed by March 11, 2021. Several individuals filed comment 
letters and motions to intervene in opposition to Central's proposal. 
In general, these individuals express concerns about private property 
rights, increased restrictions on private uses, shoreline erosion and 
control, and/or Central's proposed flood surcharge determination.
    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.
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    With this notice, the Commission is inviting Federal, State, local, 
and Tribal agencies with jurisdiction and/or special expertise with 
respect to environmental issues affected by the proposal to cooperate 
in the preparation of the EA planned to be issued July 2024. Agencies 
wishing to cooperate, or further discuss the benefits, 
responsibilities, and obligations of the cooperating agency role, 
should contact staff listed at the bottom of this notice by February 
15, 2024. Cooperating agencies should note the Commission's policy that 
agencies that cooperate in the preparation of any environmental 
document cannot also intervene. See 94 FERC ] 61,076 (2001).
    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 Jon 
Cofrancesco at 202.502.8951 or [email protected].

    Dated: January 25, 2024.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024-01899 Filed 1-30-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P