Oglethorpe Power Corporation, Inc.: Notice of Intent To Hold Public Scoping Meetings and Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement, 29464-29465 [E9-14561]
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29464
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 118 / Monday, June 22, 2009 / Notices
at https://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/
allegheny/ and by clicking on the link
for the Transition EIS.
For the purpose of analysis and
disclosure of environmental, social, and
economic effects, denying reasonable
access to reserved and outstanding
mineral rights will serve as the Noaction alternative. The No-action
alternative will only serve as a baseline
for comparing effects of other
alternatives considered, as the Forest
Service acknowledges that it lacks the
legal authority to deny reasonable
access to reserved and outstanding
mineral rights without engaging in a
taking of private property rights.
Proposed Action
The Forest Service is proposing to
authorize reasonable access for sitespecific proposals to develop reserved
and outstanding mineral rights within
the Allegheny National Forest, with
provisions to mitigate impacts to surface
resources.
We are also proposing to use design
criteria and a site-specific review
process through this decision to
authorize reasonable access for future
site-specific proposals to develop
reserved and outstanding mineral rights
within the Allegheny National Forest,
with provisions to mitigate impacts to
surface resources. We may approve
future proposals consistent with the
design criteria and review process,
when and where appropriate, pursuant
to 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
1506.3 and related regulations.
For purposes of scoping, this
proposed action will be consistent with
standards and guidelines in the 2007
Forest Plan Supplement Environmental
Impact Statement proposed action.
The 2007 Forest Plan proposed action
standards and guidelines, as well as
site-specific information such as maps,
number of wells, and approximate road
mileage for the proposed action, can be
found at https://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/
allegheny/ and by clicking on the link
for the Transition EIS.
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
wide site-specific proposals to develop
reserved and outstanding mineral rights
within the Allegheny National Forest,
with provisions to mitigate impacts to
surface resources. The need to take such
action includes:
1. To provide reasonable access to
reserved and outstanding mineral rights
beneath National Forest System lands of
the Allegheny National Forest.
2. Mitigating impacts to surface
resources of the Allegheny National
Forest associated with providing
reasonable access for development of
reserved and outstanding mineral rights
by applying Forest Plan design criteria
and site-specific mitigations.
Lead and Cooperating Agencies
The lead agency for this proposal is
the USDA Forest Service. The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, U.S.
Bureau of Land Management, and
Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Protection will be
invited to become cooperating agencies
for this proposal.
Possible Alternatives
Alternatives are likely to include
authorization of reasonable access for
site-specific proposals to develop
reserved and outstanding mineral rights
within the Allegheny National Forest,
using the alternative standards and
guidelines that are being considered as
part of the current Allegheny National
Forest Plan Supplemental
Environmental Impact process and other
site-specific mitigations as provisions to
mitigate impacts to surface resources.
Alternative standards and guidelines
that are being considered can be found
This Notice of Intent initiates the
scoping process, which guides the
development of the environmental
impact statement. Public comment and
involvement opportunities for this
project can be found at https://
www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/allegheny/.
Upon entering this Web site, there is a
link for the Transition EIS that will
provide information pertaining to this
project.
It is important that reviewers provide
their comments at such times and in
such manner that they are useful to the
agency’s preparation of the
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16:55 Jun 19, 2009
Jkt 217001
Responsible Official
The Responsible Official for the
decision is the Allegheny National
Forest Supervisor, Leanne M. Marten.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The decisions to be made by the
Forest Supervisor are (1) what
mitigations, if any, to apply in the
authorization of reasonable access for
site-specific proposals to develop
reserved and outstanding mineral rights
within the Allegheny National Forest;
(2) what design criteria, review process,
and mitigations, if any, to apply in the
authorization of reasonable access for
future site-specific proposals to develop
reserved and outstanding mineral rights
within the Allegheny National Forest.
Permits or Licenses Required
The Forest Service is not required to
obtain any permits or licenses in order
to implement this proposal.
Scoping Process
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
environmental impact statement.
Therefore, comments should be
provided prior to the close of the
comment period and should clearly
articulate the reviewer’s concerns and
contentions. The submission of timely
and specific comments can affect a
reviewer’s ability to participate in
subsequent administrative appeal or
judicial review.
Dated: June 16, 2009.
Leanne M. Marten,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. E9–14545 Filed 6–19–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
Oglethorpe Power Corporation, Inc.:
Notice of Intent To Hold Public
Scoping Meetings and Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement
Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
Notice of intent to hold public
scoping meetings and prepare two
Environmental Impact Statements (EIS).
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service
(RUS) intends to hold public scoping
meetings and prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) to meet its
responsibilities under the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and 7
CFR part 1794 in connection with
potential impacts related to projects
proposed by Oglethorpe Power
Corporation (Oglethorpe) of Tucker,
Georgia. The proposal consists of the
construction of a 100-MW biomass
power plant in Appling County near
Baxley, Georgia. Oglethorpe is
requesting RUS to provide financial
assistance for the proposed action.
DATES: RUS will conduct a public
scoping meeting in an open house
format in order to provide information
and solicit comments for the
preparation of the EIS. The public
meeting will be held on Wednesday,
July 8, 2009 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at
Courthouse Annex at 69 Tippins Street,
Baxley, Georgia 31513; telephone (912)
367–8100 in Baxley, Georgia. All
written questions and comments must
be received by RUS by July 22, 2009.
ADDRESSES: To send comments or for
further information, contact Stephanie
Strength, Environmental Protection
Specialist, USDA Rural Development
Utilities Programs, at 1400
Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 1571,
Washington, DC 20250–1571, or e-mail
stephanie.strength@wdc.usda.gov.
An Alternatives Report (AR) prepared
by Oglethorpe will be available at the
E:\FR\FM\22JNN1.SGM
22JNN1
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 118 / Monday, June 22, 2009 / Notices
public scoping meeting, at the Agency’s
address provided in this notice, at the
Agency’s Web site: https://
www.usda.gov/rus/water/ees/eis.htm at
Oglethorpe Power Corporation, 2100
East Exchange Place, Tucker, Georgia,
and at the following locations:
Appling County Public Library, 244 E.
Parker Street, Baxley, GA 31513,
Phone: (912) 367–8103.
Warren County Public Library, 10
Warren Street, Warrenton, GA 30828,
Phone: (706) 465–2656.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Oglethorpe proposes to construct a new
100-MW biomass power plant in
Appling County near Baxley, Georgia.
The proposal is to meet, in part, the
future demand of Oglethorpe’s Members
to provide a reliable, long-term supply
of renewable and sustainable energy.
Oglethorpe is seeking financing from
RUS for its investment. The proposal is
classified in 7 CFR 1794.25 as requiring
an EIS.
Prior to making a financial decision
about whether to provide financial
assistance for a proposal, RUS is
required to conduct an environmental
review under the NEPA in accordance
with the Agency policies and
procedures codified in 7 CFR part 1794.
These regulations require the Agency to
consider engineering alternatives
including no action, load management,
conservation measures, and reactive
power supply.
Government agencies, private
organizations, and the public, are
invited to participate in the planning
and analysis of the proposed projects.
Representatives from the Agency and
Oglethorpe will be available at the
scoping meetings to discuss the
environmental review process, describe
the proposals, discuss the scope of
environmental issues to be considered,
answer questions, and accept
comments. As part of its broad
environmental review process, the
Agency must take into account the effect
of the proposal on historic properties in
accordance with Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act and
its implementing regulation, ‘‘Protection
of Historic Properties’’ (36 CFR part
800). Pursuant to 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3),
the Agency is using its procedures for
public involvement under NEPA to
meet its responsibilities to solicit and
consider the views of the public during
Section 106 review. Accordingly,
comments submitted in response to
scoping will inform Agency decision
making in Section 106 review. Any
party wishing to participate more
directly with the Agency as a
‘‘consulting party’’ in Section 106
VerDate Nov<24>2008
16:55 Jun 19, 2009
Jkt 217001
review may submit a written request to
do so to the Agency contact at the above
address.
Using information from the
Alternatives Report and considering
input provided by government agencies,
private organizations, and the public,
RUS and Oglethorpe, in consultation
with the cooperating agencies, will
determine the scope of the EIS. Notices
announcing the availability of the Draft
EIS will be published in the Federal
Register and local newspapers.
Any final action by the Agency
related to the proposal will be subject
to, contingent upon, and in compliance
with environmental review
requirements and will be conducted as
prescribed by the Agency’s
environmental policies and procedures
(7 CFR part 1794).
Dated: June 12, 2009.
Mark S. Plank,
Director, Engineering and Environmental
Staff, USDA Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. E9–14561 Filed 6–19–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
Oglethorpe Power Corporation, Inc.:
Notice of Intent To Hold Public
Scoping Meetings and Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement
Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
Notice of intent to hold public
scoping meetings and prepare two
Environmental Impact Statements (EIS).
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service
(RUS) intends to hold public scoping
meetings and prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) to meet its
responsibilities under the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and 7
CFR part 1794 in connection with
potential impacts related to projects
proposed by Oglethorpe Power
Corporation (Oglethorpe) of Tucker,
Georgia. The proposal consists of the
construction of a 100-MW biomass
power plant in Appling County near
Baxley, Georgia. Oglethorpe is
requesting RUS to provide financial
assistance for the proposed action.
DATES: RUS will conduct a public
scoping meeting in an open house
format in order to provide information
and solicit comments for the
preparation of the EIS. The public
meeting will be held on Wednesday,
July 8, 2009 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at
(Courthouse Annex at 69 Tippins Street,
Baxley, Georgia 31513; telephone (912)
367–8100) in Baxley, Georgia. All
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
29465
written questions and comments must
be received by RUS by July 22, 2009.
ADDRESSES: To send comments or for
further information, contact Stephanie
Strength, Environmental Protection
Specialist, USDA Rural Development
Utilities Programs, at 1400
Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 1571,
Washington, DC 20250–1571, or e-mail
stephanie.strength@wdc.usda.gov.
An Alternatives Report (AR) prepared
by Oglethorpe will be available at the
public scoping meeting, at the Agency’s
address provided in this notice, at the
Agency’s Web site: https://
www.usda.gov/rus/water/ees/eis.htm, at
Oglethorpe Power Corporation, 2100
East Exchange Place, Tucker, Georgia,
and at the following locations:
Appling County Public Library, 244 E.
Parker Street, Baxley, GA 31513,
Phone: (912) 367–8103.
Warren County Public Library, 10
Warren Street, Warrenton, GA 30828,
Phone: (706) 465–2656.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Oglethorpe proposes to construct a new
100-MW biomass power plant in
Appling County near Baxley, Georgia.
The proposal is to meet, in part, the
future demand of Oglethorpe’s Members
to provide a reliable, long-term supply
of renewable and sustainable energy.
Oglethorpe is seeking financing from
RUS for its investment. The proposal is
classified in 7 CFR 1794.25 as requiring
an EIS.
Prior to making a financial decision
about whether to provide financial
assistance for a proposal, RUS is
required to conduct an environmental
review under the NEPA in accordance
with the Agency policies and
procedures codified in 7 CFR part 1794.
These regulations require the Agency to
consider engineering alternatives
including no action, load management,
conservation measures, and reactive
power supply.
Government agencies, private
organizations, and the public, are
invited to participate in the planning
and analysis of the proposed projects.
Representatives from the Agency and
Oglethorpe will be available at the
scoping meetings to discuss the
environmental review process, describe
the proposals, discuss the scope of
environmental issues to be considered,
answer questions, and accept
comments. As part of its broad
environmental review process, the
Agency must take into account the effect
of the proposal on historic properties in
accordance with Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act and
its implementing regulation, ‘‘Protection
of Historic Properties’’ (36 CFR part
E:\FR\FM\22JNN1.SGM
22JNN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 118 (Monday, June 22, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29464-29465]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-14561]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
Oglethorpe Power Corporation, Inc.: Notice of Intent To Hold
Public Scoping Meetings and Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to hold public scoping meetings and prepare
two Environmental Impact Statements (EIS).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) intends to hold public
scoping meetings and prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to
meet its responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) and 7 CFR part 1794 in connection with potential impacts related
to projects proposed by Oglethorpe Power Corporation (Oglethorpe) of
Tucker, Georgia. The proposal consists of the construction of a 100-MW
biomass power plant in Appling County near Baxley, Georgia. Oglethorpe
is requesting RUS to provide financial assistance for the proposed
action.
DATES: RUS will conduct a public scoping meeting in an open house
format in order to provide information and solicit comments for the
preparation of the EIS. The public meeting will be held on Wednesday,
July 8, 2009 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Courthouse Annex at 69 Tippins
Street, Baxley, Georgia 31513; telephone (912) 367-8100 in Baxley,
Georgia. All written questions and comments must be received by RUS by
July 22, 2009.
ADDRESSES: To send comments or for further information, contact
Stephanie Strength, Environmental Protection Specialist, USDA Rural
Development Utilities Programs, at 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop
1571, Washington, DC 20250-1571, or e-mail
stephanie.strength@wdc.usda.gov.
An Alternatives Report (AR) prepared by Oglethorpe will be
available at the
[[Page 29465]]
public scoping meeting, at the Agency's address provided in this
notice, at the Agency's Web site: https://www.usda.gov/rus/water/ees/eis.htm at Oglethorpe Power Corporation, 2100 East Exchange Place,
Tucker, Georgia, and at the following locations:
Appling County Public Library, 244 E. Parker Street, Baxley, GA 31513,
Phone: (912) 367-8103.
Warren County Public Library, 10 Warren Street, Warrenton, GA 30828,
Phone: (706) 465-2656.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Oglethorpe proposes to construct a new 100-
MW biomass power plant in Appling County near Baxley, Georgia. The
proposal is to meet, in part, the future demand of Oglethorpe's Members
to provide a reliable, long-term supply of renewable and sustainable
energy. Oglethorpe is seeking financing from RUS for its investment.
The proposal is classified in 7 CFR 1794.25 as requiring an EIS.
Prior to making a financial decision about whether to provide
financial assistance for a proposal, RUS is required to conduct an
environmental review under the NEPA in accordance with the Agency
policies and procedures codified in 7 CFR part 1794. These regulations
require the Agency to consider engineering alternatives including no
action, load management, conservation measures, and reactive power
supply.
Government agencies, private organizations, and the public, are
invited to participate in the planning and analysis of the proposed
projects. Representatives from the Agency and Oglethorpe will be
available at the scoping meetings to discuss the environmental review
process, describe the proposals, discuss the scope of environmental
issues to be considered, answer questions, and accept comments. As part
of its broad environmental review process, the Agency must take into
account the effect of the proposal on historic properties in accordance
with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and its
implementing regulation, ``Protection of Historic Properties'' (36 CFR
part 800). Pursuant to 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3), the Agency is using its
procedures for public involvement under NEPA to meet its
responsibilities to solicit and consider the views of the public during
Section 106 review. Accordingly, comments submitted in response to
scoping will inform Agency decision making in Section 106 review. Any
party wishing to participate more directly with the Agency as a
``consulting party'' in Section 106 review may submit a written request
to do so to the Agency contact at the above address.
Using information from the Alternatives Report and considering
input provided by government agencies, private organizations, and the
public, RUS and Oglethorpe, in consultation with the cooperating
agencies, will determine the scope of the EIS. Notices announcing the
availability of the Draft EIS will be published in the Federal Register
and local newspapers.
Any final action by the Agency related to the proposal will be
subject to, contingent upon, and in compliance with environmental
review requirements and will be conducted as prescribed by the Agency's
environmental policies and procedures (7 CFR part 1794).
Dated: June 12, 2009.
Mark S. Plank,
Director, Engineering and Environmental Staff, USDA Rural Utilities
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-14561 Filed 6-19-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
