Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc.: Notice of Intent To Hold Public Scoping Meetings and Prepare an Environmental Assessment, 56173-56174 [E9-26146]
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 209 / Friday, October 30, 2009 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
California Recreation Resource
Advisory Committee
AGENCY: Pacific Southwest Region,
Forest Service, U.S. Department of
Agriculture.
ACTION: Request for applications.
SUMMARY: Applications are being sought
for certain positions on the California
Recreation Resource Advisory
Committee. New members will be
appointed by the Secretary of
Agriculture and serve three year terms.
Appointments will begin July 2010
when current member appointments
expire. One member is being sought to
represent each of the following interests:
(1) Winter Non-Motorized Recreation,
(2) Summer Motorized Recreation, (3)
Summer Non-Motorized Recreation, (4)
Non-Motorized Outfitters and Guides,
(5) Local Environmental Groups, (6)
State Tourism, (7) Indian Tribes, and (8)
Local Government.
The public is invited to submit
applications for these positions. Current
members who have only served one
term may reapply. Application packages
can be obtained at https://www.fs.fed.us/
passespermits/rrac-application.shtml or
by e-mailing R5rrac@fs.fed.us.
Interested parties may also contact
Frances Enkoji, US Forest Service, at
707–562–8846.
DATES: All applications must be
received by December 11, 2009. This
timeframe can be extended if officials
do not receive applications for the
needed positions.
ADDRESSES: Interested parties may
submit applications by mail to Frances
Enkoji, US Forest Service, 1323 Club
Drive, Vallejo, CA 94592.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Anyone wanting further information
regarding the California Recreation
Resource Advisory Committee may
contact Marlene Finley, Designated
Federal Official, Pacific Southwest
Region Recreation RAC, 1323 Club
Drive, Vallejo, CA 94592; 707–562–
8856.
The
Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement
Act (REA), signed December 2004,
requires that the Forest Service and
Bureau of Land Management provide
Recreation RACs with an opportunity to
make recommendations to the two
agencies on implementing or
eliminating standard amenity fees;
expanded amenity fees; and
noncommercial special recreation
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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permit fees; expanding or limiting the
recreation fee program; and fee level
changes. Each Recreation RAC consists
of 11 members appointed by the
Secretary.
Nomination Information: Applicants
must complete an AD–755 form
(Advisory Committee or Search and
Promotion Background Information) and
provide a narrative that addresses the
following:
(1) What group or perspective they
represent and how they are qualified to
represent that group;
(2) Why they want to serve on the
committee and what they can
contribute;
(3) Their past experience in working
successfully as part of a collaborative
group.
Letters of recommendation are
welcome but not required. Applicants
do not need to live in a state within a
particular Recreation RAC’s area of
jurisdiction nor live in a state in which
Forest Service managed lands are
located. Application packages,
including evaluation criteria and AD–
755 are available at https://
www.fs.fed.us/passespermits/
rracapplication.shtml or by contacting
the Pacific Southwest Region as
identified in this notice. Completed
application packages must be received
by December 11, 2009. Additional
information about the California
Recreation RAC can be found at https://
www.fs.fed.us/r5/passes/rrac or about
recreation fees at https://www.fs.fed.us/
passespermits/about-rec-fees.shtml. The
Forest Service will also work the
Governor and local officials to identify
potential applicants. The Forest Service
and Bureau of Land Management will
review applications and prepare a list of
qualified applicants from which the
Secretary shall appoint both members
and alternates. The alternate will
become a participating member of the
Recreation RAC only if the member for
whom the alternate is appointed to
replace leaves the committee
permanently. Recreation RAC members
serve without pay but are reimbursed
for travel and per diem expenses for
regularly scheduled meetings. All
Recreation RAC meetings are open the
public and an open public forum is part
of each meeting. Meeting dates and time
will be determined by agency officials
in consultation with the Recreation RAC
members.
Dated: October 21, 2009.
Marlene Finley,
Designated Federal Official, Recreation RAC,
Pacific Southwest Region.
[FR Doc. E9–26086 Filed 10–29–09; 8:45 am]
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56173
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc.:
Notice of Intent To Hold Public
Scoping Meetings and Prepare an
Environmental Assessment
Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
Notice of intent to hold public
scoping meetings and prepare an
Environmental Assessment.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service
(RUS) intends to hold public scoping
meetings and prepare an Environmental
Assessment with Scoping (EA) to meet
its responsibilities under the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and 7
CFR part 1794 in connection with
potential impacts related to a proposed
project by Minnkota Power Cooperative,
Inc. (Minnkota). The proposed Center to
Grand Forks Transmission Line Project
(proposed action) consists of: the
construction of approximately 260 miles
of 345 kilovolt (kV) transmission line
from Center to Grand Forks, North
Dakota; upgrades at the Center 345 kV
substation; upgrades at the Square Butte
230 kV Substation; an additional 230 kV
tie line; and upgrades at the Prairie
Substation and fiber optic regeneration
stations. Minnkota is requesting that
RUS provide financial assistance for the
proposed action.
DATES: RUS will conduct public scoping
meetings in an open house format to
provide information and solicit
comments for the preparation of the EA.
Scoping meetings will be held on the
following dates: Grand Forks, ND,
Alerus Center, Eagle Room 10, 1200 S.
42nd St., Monday, November 16, 2009,
5–8 p.m.; Cooperstown, ND,
Cooperstown City Hall, 611 9th St.,
Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 10 a.m.–
1 p.m.; Carrington, ND, Chieftain
Conference Center, Tee Pee Room 60,
4th Avenue S., Tuesday, November 17,
2009, 5:00–8:00 pm; McClusky, ND,
McClusky Community Hall, 117 Avenue
B North, Wednesday, November 18,
2009, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.; Wilton, ND, City
of Wilton Memorial Hall, 105 Dakota
Avenue, Wednesday, November 18,
2009, 5–8 p.m.; and Center, ND, Center
Civic Center Building, 312 N Lincoln
Ave., Thursday, November 19, 2009, 5–
8 p.m.
ADDRESSES: To send comments or
request additional information, contact:
Mr. Dennis Rankin, Environmental
Protection Specialist, USDA, Rural
Utilities Service, 1400 Independence
Avenue, SW., Stop 1571, Washington,
DC 20250–1571, telephone: (202) 720–
1953 or e-mail:
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56174
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 209 / Friday, October 30, 2009 / Notices
dennis.rankin@wdc.usda.gov. An
Alternative Evaluation Study (AES) and
a Macro Corridor Study (MCS) has been
prepared for the proposed project. All
documents are available for public
review prior to and during the public
scoping meetings. The reports are
available at the RUS address provided
in this notice and on the agency’s Web
site at: https://www.usda.gov/rus/water/
ees/ea.htm., the offices of Minnkota
Power Cooperative, Inc. and their Web
site at: https://www.minnkota.com; and
the following repositories: Aneta Public
Library, 11995 19th St., Aneta, ND
58212–0088; Bismarck’s Veterans
Memorial Library, 515 N. 5th St.,
Bismarck, ND 58501–4057; Oliver
County Auditor, 115 West Main, Center,
ND 58530; City of Carrington Library, 55
9th Ave., Carrington, ND 58421–2017;
Griggs County Library, 902 Burrel Ave.,
Cooperstown, ND 58425–0546;
Goodrich Public Library, 122 McKinley
Ave., Goodrich, ND 58444–0175; Grand
Forks Library, 2110 Library Circle,
Grand Forks, ND 58201–6324; Harvey
Public Library, 119 10th St., Harvey, ND
58341–1531; Mayville Library, 52
Center Ave., Mayville, ND 58257–1299;
Sheridan County Auditor, 215 East 2nd
St., McClusky, ND 58356–1510; New
Rockford Public Library, 811 First Ave.
N, New Rockford, ND 58356–1510;
Turtle Lake Public Library, 107 Eggert
St., Turtle Lake, ND 58575–0540;
Washburn Public Library, 705 Main
Ave., Washburn, ND 58577–0637; and
Northwood Public Schools and City
Library, 300 35th St., Northwood, ND
58267.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
purpose of the proposed action is to
reallocate energy presently transmitted
on an existing direct current (DC) line
to the proposed 345 kV line. Currently,
the output from the Milton R. Young
Generation Station Unit 2 (Young 2) is
purchased under contract by Minnkota
and Minnesota Power; each utility
receives approximately 50 percent of the
output. Electricity generated by Young 2
flows over a dedicated DC, 465-mile
transmission line from Center, North
Dakota to Duluth, Minnesota, where it is
converted back to alternating current
(AC) for further transmission into the
Minnesota Power and Minnkota service
areas. Minnesota Power will take 100
percent ownership of the existing DC
line and DC/AC conversion facilities in
early 2010; the DC line will be used to
deliver wind energy. In 2013, Minnkota
will receive increasing allocations of
Young 2 output until the year 2026
when Minnkota will purchase 100
percent of the Young 2 output. With no
continuous capacity available to
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Minnkota on the HVDC system, the
power needs be moved over the AC
transmission system to Minnkota’s
service territory.
Minnkota is seeking financing from
RUS for its ownership of the proposed
project. Before making a decision to
provide financing for the proposed
project, RUS is required to conduct an
environmental review under NEPA in
accordance with RUS’s Environmental
Policies and Procedures (7 CFR Part
1794). Government agencies, private
organizations, and the public are invited
to participate in the planning and
analysis of the proposed action.
Representatives from RUS and
Minnkota will be available at the
scoping meetings to discuss the
environmental review process, describe
the proposed action, discuss the scope
of environmental issues to be
considered, answer questions, and
accept comments. RUS will use
comments and input provided in the
preparation of the Draft EA. If RUS
finds, based on the EA, that the
proposed action will not have a
significant effect on the quality of the
human environment, RUS will prepare
a Finding of No Significant Impact
(FONSI). Public notification of the
FONSI would be published in the
Federal Register and in newspapers
with circulation in the project area. RUS
may take its final action on proposed
actions requiring an EA (§ 1794.23) any
time after publication of applicant
notices that a FONSI has been made and
any required review period has expired.
When substantive comments are
received on the EA, RUS may provide
an additional period (15 days) for public
review following the publication of its
FONSI determination. Final action will
not be taken until this review period has
expired. Where appropriate to carry out
the purposes of NEPA, RUS may
impose, on a case-by-case basis,
additional requirements associated with
the preparation of an EA. If at any point
in the preparation of an EA, RUS
determines that the proposed action will
have a significant effect on the quality
of the human environment, the
preparation of an Environmental Impact
Statement will be required. Any final
action by RUS related to the proposed
action will be subject to, and contingent
upon, compliance with all relevant
Federal, State, and local environmental
laws and regulations and completion of
the environmental review requirements
as prescribed in RUS’s Environmental
Policies and Procedures (7 CFR Part
1794).
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Dated: October 23, 2009.
Mark S. Plank,
Director, Engineering and Environmental
Staff, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. E9–26146 Filed 10–29–09; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Shasta Trinity National Forest, South
Fork Management Unit, California
Rattlesnake Fuel Reduction and Forest
Health Project
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of intent to prepare an
environmental impact statement.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Hayfork District of the
Shasta Trinity National Forest is
proposing to use vegetation treatments
to reduce risks from fire, improve forest
health, and provide forest products on
approximately 6,028 acres within the
Rattlesnake watershed on the South
Fork Management Unit of the Shasta
Trinity National Forest. The active
management needed in the Rattlesnake
Fuel Reduction and Forest Health
Project (Rattlesnake project) area to
reduce fuels and stocking levels through
thinning requires the removal of trees
and biomass, some of which have
commercial value. An estimated 33
million board feet of merchantable
sawtimber, and an estimated 35,092
bone dry tons of biomass are expected
to be removed. Providing wood
products to meet regional and national
needs is consistent with Forest Plan
goals, standards and guidelines. The
initial economic analysis shows that the
average diameter and quantity of the
material treated under this project
would generally be insufficient to
support a viable timber sale in today’s
market. The Forest Service will analyze
these vegetation treatments within the
constraints of the Shasta Trinity
National Forest Land and Resource
Management Plan, 1995.
The proposed Rattlesnake project is in
the vicinity of the Post Mountain and
Forest Glen communities in southern
Trinity County, California. The project
area is within portions of the Wildland
Urban Interface (WUI) boundaries for
both of these communities and within
the Hayfork Adaptive Management Area
(AMA), and Management Area 19,
Indian Valley/Rattlesnake, of the ShastaTrinity Land and Resource Management
Plan (USFS 1995, p. 4–64 & 4–65).
The project includes acreage in
Township 1 North, Range 7 East,
Sections 25 and 36, Township 1 North,
Range 8 East, Sections 19–21, and 28–
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[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 209 (Friday, October 30, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56173-56174]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-26146]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc.: Notice of Intent To Hold Public
Scoping Meetings and Prepare an Environmental Assessment
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to hold public scoping meetings and prepare an
Environmental Assessment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) intends to hold public
scoping meetings and prepare an Environmental Assessment with Scoping
(EA) to meet its responsibilities under the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) and 7 CFR part 1794 in connection with potential
impacts related to a proposed project by Minnkota Power Cooperative,
Inc. (Minnkota). The proposed Center to Grand Forks Transmission Line
Project (proposed action) consists of: the construction of
approximately 260 miles of 345 kilovolt (kV) transmission line from
Center to Grand Forks, North Dakota; upgrades at the Center 345 kV
substation; upgrades at the Square Butte 230 kV Substation; an
additional 230 kV tie line; and upgrades at the Prairie Substation and
fiber optic regeneration stations. Minnkota is requesting that RUS
provide financial assistance for the proposed action.
DATES: RUS will conduct public scoping meetings in an open house format
to provide information and solicit comments for the preparation of the
EA. Scoping meetings will be held on the following dates: Grand Forks,
ND, Alerus Center, Eagle Room 10, 1200 S. 42nd St., Monday, November
16, 2009, 5-8 p.m.; Cooperstown, ND, Cooperstown City Hall, 611 9th
St., Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Carrington, ND,
Chieftain Conference Center, Tee Pee Room 60, 4th Avenue S., Tuesday,
November 17, 2009, 5:00-8:00 pm; McClusky, ND, McClusky Community Hall,
117 Avenue B North, Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.;
Wilton, ND, City of Wilton Memorial Hall, 105 Dakota Avenue, Wednesday,
November 18, 2009, 5-8 p.m.; and Center, ND, Center Civic Center
Building, 312 N Lincoln Ave., Thursday, November 19, 2009, 5-8 p.m.
ADDRESSES: To send comments or request additional information, contact:
Mr. Dennis Rankin, Environmental Protection Specialist, USDA, Rural
Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 1571,
Washington, DC 20250-1571, telephone: (202) 720-1953 or e-mail:
[[Page 56174]]
dennis.rankin@wdc.usda.gov. An Alternative Evaluation Study (AES) and a
Macro Corridor Study (MCS) has been prepared for the proposed project.
All documents are available for public review prior to and during the
public scoping meetings. The reports are available at the RUS address
provided in this notice and on the agency's Web site at: https://www.usda.gov/rus/water/ees/ea.htm., the offices of Minnkota Power
Cooperative, Inc. and their Web site at: https://www.minnkota.com; and
the following repositories: Aneta Public Library, 11995 19th St.,
Aneta, ND 58212-0088; Bismarck's Veterans Memorial Library, 515 N. 5th
St., Bismarck, ND 58501-4057; Oliver County Auditor, 115 West Main,
Center, ND 58530; City of Carrington Library, 55 9th Ave., Carrington,
ND 58421-2017; Griggs County Library, 902 Burrel Ave., Cooperstown, ND
58425-0546; Goodrich Public Library, 122 McKinley Ave., Goodrich, ND
58444-0175; Grand Forks Library, 2110 Library Circle, Grand Forks, ND
58201-6324; Harvey Public Library, 119 10th St., Harvey, ND 58341-1531;
Mayville Library, 52 Center Ave., Mayville, ND 58257-1299; Sheridan
County Auditor, 215 East 2nd St., McClusky, ND 58356-1510; New Rockford
Public Library, 811 First Ave. N, New Rockford, ND 58356-1510; Turtle
Lake Public Library, 107 Eggert St., Turtle Lake, ND 58575-0540;
Washburn Public Library, 705 Main Ave., Washburn, ND 58577-0637; and
Northwood Public Schools and City Library, 300 35th St., Northwood, ND
58267.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the proposed action is to
reallocate energy presently transmitted on an existing direct current
(DC) line to the proposed 345 kV line. Currently, the output from the
Milton R. Young Generation Station Unit 2 (Young 2) is purchased under
contract by Minnkota and Minnesota Power; each utility receives
approximately 50 percent of the output. Electricity generated by Young
2 flows over a dedicated DC, 465-mile transmission line from Center,
North Dakota to Duluth, Minnesota, where it is converted back to
alternating current (AC) for further transmission into the Minnesota
Power and Minnkota service areas. Minnesota Power will take 100 percent
ownership of the existing DC line and DC/AC conversion facilities in
early 2010; the DC line will be used to deliver wind energy. In 2013,
Minnkota will receive increasing allocations of Young 2 output until
the year 2026 when Minnkota will purchase 100 percent of the Young 2
output. With no continuous capacity available to Minnkota on the HVDC
system, the power needs be moved over the AC transmission system to
Minnkota's service territory.
Minnkota is seeking financing from RUS for its ownership of the
proposed project. Before making a decision to provide financing for the
proposed project, RUS is required to conduct an environmental review
under NEPA in accordance with RUS's Environmental Policies and
Procedures (7 CFR Part 1794). Government agencies, private
organizations, and the public are invited to participate in the
planning and analysis of the proposed action. Representatives from RUS
and Minnkota will be available at the scoping meetings to discuss the
environmental review process, describe the proposed action, discuss the
scope of environmental issues to be considered, answer questions, and
accept comments. RUS will use comments and input provided in the
preparation of the Draft EA. If RUS finds, based on the EA, that the
proposed action will not have a significant effect on the quality of
the human environment, RUS will prepare a Finding of No Significant
Impact (FONSI). Public notification of the FONSI would be published in
the Federal Register and in newspapers with circulation in the project
area. RUS may take its final action on proposed actions requiring an EA
(Sec. 1794.23) any time after publication of applicant notices that a
FONSI has been made and any required review period has expired. When
substantive comments are received on the EA, RUS may provide an
additional period (15 days) for public review following the publication
of its FONSI determination. Final action will not be taken until this
review period has expired. Where appropriate to carry out the purposes
of NEPA, RUS may impose, on a case-by-case basis, additional
requirements associated with the preparation of an EA. If at any point
in the preparation of an EA, RUS determines that the proposed action
will have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment,
the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement will be required.
Any final action by RUS related to the proposed action will be subject
to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant Federal, State,
and local environmental laws and regulations and completion of the
environmental review requirements as prescribed in RUS's Environmental
Policies and Procedures (7 CFR Part 1794).
Dated: October 23, 2009.
Mark S. Plank,
Director, Engineering and Environmental Staff, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. E9-26146 Filed 10-29-09; 8:45 am]
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