[Federal Register: November 15, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 219)]
[Notices]               
[Page 69336]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15no05-51]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Project No. 2216-066-NY]

 
New York Power Authority; Notice of Intent To Prepare 
Environmental Impact Statement

November 7, 2005.
    On August 18, 2005, the New York Power Authority (NYPA) filed an 
application for a new license for the continued operation of the 2,538-
megawatt Niagara Power Project (FERC No. 2216-066). On August 19, 2005, 
NYPA filed an Offer of Settlement for the new license. The project is 
located on the Niagara River in Niagara County, New York. The project 
does not occupy any federal lands.
    In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and 
the Commission's regulations for using the alternative licensing 
process,\1\ Commission staff held public scoping meetings for the 
Niagara Power Project on August 13, 2003, in Niagara Falls, New York. 
Commission staff, state, federal and local agencies, tribes, and the 
public participated in the meetings. These scoping meetings and an open 
and extensive collaborative relicensing process were used to define the 
issues and alternatives addressed in NYPA's application.
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    \1\ 81 FERC ] 61,103 (1997).
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    Based on comments received, since the scoping meeting, Commission 
staff have determined that licensing the Niagara Power Project could 
constitute a major federal action significantly affecting the quality 
of the human environment. Therefore, staff intend to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement for the project. The staff's EIS will 
objectively consider both site-specific and cumulative environmental 
impacts of the project and reasonable alternatives, and will include 
economic and engineering analyses.
    A draft EIS will be issued and circulated for review by all 
interested parties. All comments filed on the draft EIS will be 
analyzed by the staff and considered in the final EIS. The staff's 
conclusions and recommendations will be available for the consideration 
of the Commission in reaching its final licensing decision.
    This notice informs all interested individuals, organizations, and 
agencies with environmental expertise and concerns, that: (1) The 
Commission staff has decided to prepare an EIS and (2) the scoping 
conducted on the Niagara Power Project by Commission staff and comments 
filed with the Commission on the application and the Offer of 
Settlement will be taken into account in the EIS.
    Any questions regarding this notice may be directed to Steve 
Kartalia at (202) 502-6131.

Magalie R. Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E5-6274 Filed 11-14-05; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6717-01-P