Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc.: Notice of Extension of Public Comment Period for Public Scoping in Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement, 52813-52814 [E8-21178]
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application must be on 8.5- by 11-inch
plain white paper only (no colored
paper, over-sized paper, or special
covers) with a minimum font size of 11
letters per inch. Top, bottom, and side
margins must be no less than threequarters of an inch. All pages must be
clearly numbered. The paper copies of
the application package should be
stapled with a single staple at the upper
left-hand corner. Do not staple the
original. Other bindings will not be
accepted.
b. Full Application Content. Project
Summary Table, SF 424, and 424A shall
be submitted with the application for
acceptance. Assemble information in
the following order: Project Summary
Table, SF 424, SF424A, project
narrative, budget justification narrative,
budget, financial feasibility, and
appendices. Forms for the Project
Summary, SF424, and SF424A can be
found at https://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu
(under Woody Biomass Grants). The
project narrative consists of statement of
need, project coordinator(s) and
partner(s), goals and objectives,
technical approach work plan, impact
on National Forest System forest
restoration activities, environmental
documentation, project work plan and
timeline, social impacts, evaluation and
monitoring plan, and equipment
description. The project narrative shall
provide a clear description of the work
to be performed, how it will be
accomplished, and its impact on
National Forest System lands. It shall
address the technical approach work
plan under criteria b listed in section 5.
The project narrative is limited to a total
of 10 pages and excludes Project
Summary Table, budget justification,
budget, appendices and financial
documentation.
c. Detailed Financial Information.
Detailed financial information is
requested to assess the potential and the
capability of the applicant. All financial
information remains confidential and is
not accessible under the Freedom of
Information Act. If the applicant has
questions about how confidential
information is handled they should
contact Patricia Brumm at
pbrumm@fs.fed.us. The financial
information should provide a general
overview of historical and projected
(pro forma) financial performance.
Standard accounting principles should
be used for developing the required
financial information. Strong
applications have benefited from the use
of a certified accountant to develop this
information. Applicants should refer to
the Technology Marketing Unit’s Web
site at https://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu
(under Woody Biomass Grants) or at
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14:21 Sep 10, 2008
Jkt 214001
https://www.grants.gov for the financial
information requirements, as well as
Web sites for standard financial
templates.
d. Full Application Delivery. Full
applications must be postmarked by
February 13, 2009, and received no later
than 5 p.m. Central Standard Time on
February 20, 2009, by Patricia Brumm at
the Forest Products Laboratory. Handdelivered or fax applications will not be
accepted. E-mail applications should be
submitted through https://
www.grants.gov. No exceptions allowed.
Please send full applications to the
address listed in the ADDRESSES section
of this notice.
8. Appendices
The following information must be
included in the appendix of the preapplication and the full application
package:
a. Letter of Support and Biomass
Availability from Local USDA Forest
Service District Ranger or Forest
Supervisor Is Required: This letter must
describe the status of National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA),
acres, timeframes, available volumes,
and opportunities for applicant to
access these volumes. These letters shall
be submitted with both the preapplication and full application.
b. Letters of Support from Partners,
Individuals, or Organizations: Letters of
support should be included in an
appendix and are intended to display
the degree of collaboration occurring
between the different entities engaged in
the project. These letters must include
commitments of cash or in-kind services
from all partners and must support the
amounts listed in the budget. Each letter
of support is limited to one page in
length.
c. Key Personnel Qualifications:
Qualifications of the project manager
and key personnel should be included
in an appendix. Qualifications are
limited to two pages in length and
should contain the following: resume,
biographical sketch, references, and
demonstrated ability to manage the
grant.
Dated: September 5, 2008.
James Hubbard,
Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry.
[FR Doc. E8–21112 Filed 9–10–08; 8:45 am]
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52813
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc.:
Notice of Extension of Public
Comment Period for Public Scoping in
Preparation of an Environmental
Impact Statement
Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
Notice of Intent To Extend
Public Comment Period for Public
Scoping for Preparation of an
Environmental Impact Statement
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service
(RUS), an agency delivering the U.S.
Department of Agriculture’s Rural
Development Utilities Programs,
hereinafter referred to as Rural
Development and/or the Agency, is
extending the public comment period
for the public scoping in preparation of
an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) for the proposed action by
Minnkota Power Cooperative (Minnkota
Power), Otter Tail Power Company, and
Minnesota Power to construct a 230 kV
electric transmission line from Bemidji
to Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
Rural Development and the State of
Minnesota Office of Energy Security
(OES) are jointly preparing an EIS to
evaluate the potential impacts of the
proposed transmission line pursuant to
the National Environmental Policy Act
of 1969 (NEPA) (U.S.C. 4231 et seq.) in
accordance with the Council on
Environmental Quality (CEQ)
regulations for implementing the
procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR
1500–1508), 36 CFR 800.2(a); section
106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act 16 U.S.C. 470f and its
implementing regulations, ‘‘Protection
of Historic Properties’’ (36 CFR Part
800); the Minnesota Environmental
Policy Act (MEPA), Minnesota Statute,
Chapter 116D.04; the Minnesota Power
Plant Siting Act (MPPSA); Minnesota
Statute, Chapter 216 E.03 and
Minnesota Rules, Chapter 4400. The
U.S. Forest Service-Chippewa National
Forest, the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, the U.S. Bureau of Indian
Affairs, and the Leech Lake Band of
Ojibwe are participating as Cooperating
Agencies in development of the EIS.
Two public scoping documents, an
Alternatives Evaluation Study (AES)
and a Macrocorridor Study (MCS), were
prepared to provide public information
on the proposed project. Using
information from the AES and the MCS
and considering input provided by
government agencies, private
organizations, and the public, Rural
Development and OES, in consultation
E:\FR\FM\11SEN1.SGM
11SEN1
rmajette on PRODPC74 with NOTICES
52814
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 177 / Thursday, September 11, 2008 / Notices
with the Cooperating Agencies, will
determine the scope of the EIS.
The MCS Study included maps of
only three of the four transmission line
corridor alternatives. This report has
been updated to include the map of four
transmission line macrocorridor options
that are currently part of the study area.
Notices distributed in local areas to
notify the public of the proposed project
included only one macrocorridor option
with two route alternatives the
applicants proposed in the State of
Minnesota Route Permit Application. To
ensure that interested parties located
within the any of the four transmission
line macrocorridor alternatives are
provided adequate opportunity for
comment, notices are being reissued and
the public comment period is being
extended for one month.
DATES: A Notice of Intent To Hold
Public Scoping Meetings and Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for the
proposed project was published in the
Federal Register on July 18, 2008. The
public comment period has been
extended and written comments relating
to the proposed project will be accepted
until 5 p.m. Eastern Time on September
30, 2008.
ADDRESSES: To send comments or for
further information, contact Barbara
Britton, Environmental Protection
Specialist, USDA Rural Development
Utilities Programs, at 1400
Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 1571,
Washington, DC 20250–1571, telephone
(202) 720–1414, fax: (202) 690–0629, email Barbara.Britton@wdc.usda.gov or
Suzanne Steinhauer, Project Manager,
Minnesota Department of Commerce,
Office of Energy Security, at 85 Seventh
Place, Suite 500, Saint Paul, Minnesota
55010, telephone (651) 296–2888, e-mail
Suzanne.Steinhauer@state.mn.us. A
copy of the AES and MCS can be
obtained from the Agency Web site at
https://www.usda.gov/rus/water/ees/
eis.htm, by contacting Bob Lindholm of
Minnesota Power at (888) 373–4113,
bemidjiinfo@capx2020.com, and at the
public libraries listed below:
Bemidji Public Library, 509 America
Avenue, NW., Bemidji, MN 56601.
Cass Lake Community Library, 223
Cedar Avenue, NW., P.O. Box 836,
Cass Lake, MN 56633.
Grand Rapids Area Library, 140 NE. 2nd
Street, Grand Rapids, MN 55744.
Blackduck Community Library, 72 First
Street, SE., P.O. Box 326, Blackduck,
MN 56630.
Margaret Welch Memorial Library, P.O.
Box 106, 5051 State 84, Longville, MN
56655.
Walker Public Library, 207 4th Street,
P.O. Box 550, Walker, MN 56484.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
14:21 Sep 10, 2008
Jkt 214001
Bovey Public Library, Village Hall, 402
2nd Street, P.O. Box 130, Bovey, MN
55709–0130.
Coleraine Public Library, Independent
Building, 203 Cole Avenue, P.O. Box
225, Coleraine, MN 55722–0225.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Minnkota
Power, Otter Tail Power, and Minnesota
Power propose to construct a new
transmission line from Bemidji to Grand
Rapids, Minnesota. The proposal is
designed to correct a local load serving
inadequacy for the Bemidji area and the
northern Red River Valley in West
Central Minnesota. The line would
originate from Minnkota’s 230 kV
Wilton Substation located just west of
Bemidji, Minnesota, to Minnesota
Power’s 230 kV Boswell Substation in
Cohasset, Minnesota, northwest of
Grand Rapids, Minnesota. It is part of
the CapX2020 long-range planning effort
that has identified a comprehensive
framework for new transmission
infrastructure that will be needed to
maintain reliability of the transmission
system throughout Minnesota and the
surrounding region. Minnkota Power,
Otter Tail Power, and Minnesota Power
are partners in this investment, and
Minnkota Power is seeking financing
from Rural Development Utilities
Programs for its portion of the
investment.
The proposed project may require
permits from the United States
Department of the Army Corps of
Engineers (COE) under section 10 of the
Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, 33
U.S.C. 403, for the project’s overhead
wires to cross the Mississippi River, and
under section 404 of the Clean Water
Act, 33 U.S.C. 1344, to place
transmission line structures and
associated backfill into waters of the
United States. The proposed project
may require a Special Use Permit to
cross the Chippewa National Forest
from the United States Forest Service
under the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act pursuant to 36 CFR
251.58, if it traverses the Chippewa
National Forest. The proposed project
may require a permit to cross Federal
Aid Highways under the Department of
Transportation Act 23 CFR 1.23 and
1.27; 23 U.S.C. 116, 123, and 315; 23
CFR 645; and 23 CFR 771. The proposed
project may require a certification from
the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency under section 401 of the Clean
Water Act if it traverses tribal lands. The
proposed project must be considered by
the United States Fish and Wildlife
Service for compliance with the
Endangered Species Act 16 U.S.C. 1531
et seq., the Migratory Bird Act U.S.C.
703–712, 50 CFR Ch 1, and the Bald and
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Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1972 16
U.S.C. 668. The proposed project may
require a right of way permit from the
United States Bureau for Indian Affairs
to cross American Indian trust lands
pursuant to 25 CFR 169. The Leech Lake
Band of Ojibwe may be a signatory to
any agreement prepared under section
106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act addressing resolution
of adverse effects of the proposed
project, if identified, pursuant to 36 CFR
800 6, particularly if the proposed
project traverses the Leech Lake Band
Reservation.
Dated: September 5, 2008.
Mark S. Plank,
Director, Engineering and Environmental
Staff, USDA/Rural Development/Utilities
Programs.
[FR Doc. E8–21178 Filed 9–10–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
The Department of Commerce will
submit to the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) for clearance the
following proposal for collection of
information under the emergency
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction
Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35).
Agency: International Trade
Administration.
Title: Market Research to Broaden and
Deepen U.S. Exporter Base.
OMB Control Number: None.
Form Number(s): ITA–8710; ITA–
8711; ITA–8712; and ITA–8713.
Type of Review: Regular submission.
Burden Hours: 1,800.
Number of Respondents: 4,000.
Average Hours per Response: 15
minutes, ITA–8710 and ITA–8713; and
30 minutes, ITA 8711 and ITA–8712.
Needs and Uses: Expanding U.S.
exports is a national priority essential to
improving U.S. trade performance. The
Department of Commerce (DOC),
International Trade Administration
(ITA), U.S. Commercial Service (CS)
serves as the key U.S. government
agency responsible for promoting
exports of goods and services from the
United States, particularly by small and
medium-sized enterprises, and assisting
U.S. exporters in their dealings with
foreign governments.
Section 4721 of 15 U.S. Code contains
several provisions that direct the CS to,
‘‘identify United States businesses with
the potential to export goods and
services and provide such businesses
with advice and information on
establishing export businesses.’’ As
E:\FR\FM\11SEN1.SGM
11SEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 177 (Thursday, September 11, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52813-52814]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-21178]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc.: Notice of Extension of Public
Comment Period for Public Scoping in Preparation of an Environmental
Impact Statement
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of Intent To Extend Public Comment Period for Public
Scoping for Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency delivering the
U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Utilities Programs,
hereinafter referred to as Rural Development and/or the Agency, is
extending the public comment period for the public scoping in
preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed
action by Minnkota Power Cooperative (Minnkota Power), Otter Tail Power
Company, and Minnesota Power to construct a 230 kV electric
transmission line from Bemidji to Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
Rural Development and the State of Minnesota Office of Energy
Security (OES) are jointly preparing an EIS to evaluate the potential
impacts of the proposed transmission line pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (U.S.C. 4231 et seq.) in
accordance with the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations
for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR 1500-1508),
36 CFR 800.2(a); section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act
16 U.S.C. 470f and its implementing regulations, ``Protection of
Historic Properties'' (36 CFR Part 800); the Minnesota Environmental
Policy Act (MEPA), Minnesota Statute, Chapter 116D.04; the Minnesota
Power Plant Siting Act (MPPSA); Minnesota Statute, Chapter 216 E.03 and
Minnesota Rules, Chapter 4400. The U.S. Forest Service-Chippewa
National Forest, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Bureau of
Indian Affairs, and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe are participating as
Cooperating Agencies in development of the EIS.
Two public scoping documents, an Alternatives Evaluation Study
(AES) and a Macrocorridor Study (MCS), were prepared to provide public
information on the proposed project. Using information from the AES and
the MCS and considering input provided by government agencies, private
organizations, and the public, Rural Development and OES, in
consultation
[[Page 52814]]
with the Cooperating Agencies, will determine the scope of the EIS.
The MCS Study included maps of only three of the four transmission
line corridor alternatives. This report has been updated to include the
map of four transmission line macrocorridor options that are currently
part of the study area. Notices distributed in local areas to notify
the public of the proposed project included only one macrocorridor
option with two route alternatives the applicants proposed in the State
of Minnesota Route Permit Application. To ensure that interested
parties located within the any of the four transmission line
macrocorridor alternatives are provided adequate opportunity for
comment, notices are being reissued and the public comment period is
being extended for one month.
DATES: A Notice of Intent To Hold Public Scoping Meetings and Prepare
an Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed project was
published in the Federal Register on July 18, 2008. The public comment
period has been extended and written comments relating to the proposed
project will be accepted until 5 p.m. Eastern Time on September 30,
2008.
ADDRESSES: To send comments or for further information, contact Barbara
Britton, Environmental Protection Specialist, USDA Rural Development
Utilities Programs, at 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 1571,
Washington, DC 20250-1571, telephone (202) 720-1414, fax: (202) 690-
0629, e-mail Barbara.Britton@wdc.usda.gov or Suzanne Steinhauer,
Project Manager, Minnesota Department of Commerce, Office of Energy
Security, at 85 Seventh Place, Suite 500, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55010,
telephone (651) 296-2888, e-mail Suzanne.Steinhauer@state.mn.us. A copy
of the AES and MCS can be obtained from the Agency Web site at https://
www.usda.gov/rus/water/ees/eis.htm, by contacting Bob Lindholm of
Minnesota Power at (888) 373-4113, bemidjiinfo@capx2020.com, and at the
public libraries listed below:
Bemidji Public Library, 509 America Avenue, NW., Bemidji, MN 56601.
Cass Lake Community Library, 223 Cedar Avenue, NW., P.O. Box 836, Cass
Lake, MN 56633.
Grand Rapids Area Library, 140 NE. 2nd Street, Grand Rapids, MN 55744.
Blackduck Community Library, 72 First Street, SE., P.O. Box 326,
Blackduck, MN 56630.
Margaret Welch Memorial Library, P.O. Box 106, 5051 State 84,
Longville, MN 56655.
Walker Public Library, 207 4th Street, P.O. Box 550, Walker, MN 56484.
Bovey Public Library, Village Hall, 402 2nd Street, P.O. Box 130,
Bovey, MN 55709-0130.
Coleraine Public Library, Independent Building, 203 Cole Avenue, P.O.
Box 225, Coleraine, MN 55722-0225.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Minnkota Power, Otter Tail Power, and
Minnesota Power propose to construct a new transmission line from
Bemidji to Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The proposal is designed to correct
a local load serving inadequacy for the Bemidji area and the northern
Red River Valley in West Central Minnesota. The line would originate
from Minnkota's 230 kV Wilton Substation located just west of Bemidji,
Minnesota, to Minnesota Power's 230 kV Boswell Substation in Cohasset,
Minnesota, northwest of Grand Rapids, Minnesota. It is part of the
CapX2020 long-range planning effort that has identified a comprehensive
framework for new transmission infrastructure that will be needed to
maintain reliability of the transmission system throughout Minnesota
and the surrounding region. Minnkota Power, Otter Tail Power, and
Minnesota Power are partners in this investment, and Minnkota Power is
seeking financing from Rural Development Utilities Programs for its
portion of the investment.
The proposed project may require permits from the United States
Department of the Army Corps of Engineers (COE) under section 10 of the
Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, 33 U.S.C. 403, for the project's
overhead wires to cross the Mississippi River, and under section 404 of
the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1344, to place transmission line
structures and associated backfill into waters of the United States.
The proposed project may require a Special Use Permit to cross the
Chippewa National Forest from the United States Forest Service under
the Federal Land Policy and Management Act pursuant to 36 CFR 251.58,
if it traverses the Chippewa National Forest. The proposed project may
require a permit to cross Federal Aid Highways under the Department of
Transportation Act 23 CFR 1.23 and 1.27; 23 U.S.C. 116, 123, and 315;
23 CFR 645; and 23 CFR 771. The proposed project may require a
certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under
section 401 of the Clean Water Act if it traverses tribal lands. The
proposed project must be considered by the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service for compliance with the Endangered Species Act 16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq., the Migratory Bird Act U.S.C. 703-712, 50 CFR Ch
1, and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1972 16 U.S.C. 668.
The proposed project may require a right of way permit from the United
States Bureau for Indian Affairs to cross American Indian trust lands
pursuant to 25 CFR 169. The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe may be a
signatory to any agreement prepared under section 106 of the National
Historic Preservation Act addressing resolution of adverse effects of
the proposed project, if identified, pursuant to 36 CFR 800 6,
particularly if the proposed project traverses the Leech Lake Band
Reservation.
Dated: September 5, 2008.
Mark S. Plank,
Director, Engineering and Environmental Staff, USDA/Rural Development/
Utilities Programs.
[FR Doc. E8-21178 Filed 9-10-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P