Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative: Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact, 65294-65295 [2010-26747]

Download as PDF emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES 65294 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 204 / Friday, October 22, 2010 / Notices technical requirements for veterinary products (both drugs and biologics). Regulatory authorities and industry experts from Australia and New Zealand participate in an observer capacity. The World Federation of the Animal Health Industry (COMISA, the Confederation Mondiale de L’Industrie de la Sante Animale) provides the secretarial and administrative support for VICH activities. The United States Government is represented in VICH by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The FDA provides expertise on veterinary drugs, while APHIS fills a corresponding role for veterinary biological products. As VICH members, APHIS and FDA participate in efforts to enhance harmonization and have expressed their commitment to seeking scientifically based, harmonized technical requirements for the development of veterinary drugs and biological products. One of the goals of harmonization is to identify and reduce the differences in technical requirements for veterinary drugs and biologics among regulatory agencies in different countries. The draft guideline ‘‘Pharmacovigilance of Veterinary Medicinal Products: Electronic Standards for Transfer of Data’’ (VICH Topic GL35) has been made available by the VICH Steering Committee for comments by interested parties. The guideline is intended to provide standards to construct a single electronic message to transmit the contents of adverse event reports concerning the use of veterinary medicinal products to all regions. Because the draft guideline applies to some veterinary biological products regulated by APHIS under the VirusSerum-Toxin Act—particularly with regard to electronic messages to transmit adverse event reports—we are requesting comments on its provisions so that we may include any relevant public input on the draft in the Agency’s comments to the VICH Steering Committee. The draft guideline reflects current APHIS thinking on the use of electronic messages to transmit adverse event reports concerning the use of veterinary medicinal products between marketing authorization holders (licensees/ permittees) and regulatory authorities in the three regions. In accordance with the VICH process, once a final draft of each document has been approved, the guideline will be recommended for adoption by the regulatory bodies of the European Union, Japan, and the United States. As with all VICH documents, VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:43 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 223001 each final guideline will not create or confer any rights for or on any person and will not operate to bind APHIS or the public. Further, the VICH guidelines specifically provide for the use of alternative approaches if those approaches satisfy applicable regulatory requirements. Ultimately, APHIS intends to consider the VICH Steering Committee’s final guideline for use by U.S. veterinary biologics licensees, permittees, and applicants. In addition, we may consider using the final guideline as the basis for proposed amendments to the regulations in 9 CFR chapter I, subchapter E (Viruses, Serums, Toxins, and Analogous Products; Organisms and Vectors). Because we anticipate that applicable provisions of the final versions of ‘‘Pharmacovigilance of Veterinary Medicinal Products: Electronic Standards for Transfer of Data’’ may be introduced into APHIS’ veterinary biologics regulatory program in the future, we encourage your comments on the draft guideline. The draft guideline may be viewed on the Regulations.gov Web site or in our reading room (see ADDRESSES above for instructions for accessing Regulations.gov and information on the location and hours of the reading room). You may request paper copies of the draft guideline by calling or writing to the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Authority: 21 U.S.C. 151 et seq. Done in Washington, DC, this 18th day of October 2010. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2010–26748 Filed 10–21–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative: Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact Rural Utilities Service, USDA. Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact. AGENCY: ACTION: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) has issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Environmental Assessment (EA) associated with the Holland Cliff to Hewitt Road 230 kV Transmission proposal in Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties, Maryland. The EA was prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 (NEPA) (U.S.C. 4231 et seq.) and in accordance with the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ’s) regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500–1508) and RUS’s NEPA implementing regulations (7 CFR part 1794, Environmental Policies and Procedures). The purpose of the EA was to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of and alternatives to a Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) application for a RUS loan for the proposal. The proposal includes construction of a 30-mile 230 kilovolt (kV) transmission line, a new 230/69 kV switching station, and a 230/69 kV switching station expansion. ADDRESSES: To obtain copies of the FONSI or EA, or for further information, contact: Ms. Lauren McGee, Environmental Scientist, USDA, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 1571, Room 2239–S, Washington, DC 20250–1571, telephone: (202) 720–1482, fax: (202) 690–0649, or e-mail: lauren.mcgee@wdc.usda.gov. A copy of the FONSI and EA can be viewed online at: https://www.usda.gov/ rus/water/ees/ea.htm. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SMECO proposes to construct a 230 kV transmission line between the existing Holland Cliff Switching Station in Calvert County to the existing Hewitt Road Switching Station in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. The proposal has five segments and includes: (1) The installation of approximately 20 miles of new 230 kV single pole, double-circuit transmission line from the Holland Cliff switching station to a new switching station located in Southern Calvert; (2) the installation of the new Sollers Wharf 230/69 kV switching station; (3) the installation of approximately 8 miles of new 230 kV single pole, double-circuit transmission line from the new Southern Calvert switching station to the existing Hewitt Road switching station; (4) the installation of approximately 2 miles of 230 kV underground transmission cable circuit across the lower Patuxent River; and (5) the expansion of the existing 230 kV ring bus at the Hewitt Road switching station to accommodate the new 230 kV transmission line from Southern Calvert. Throughout the right-of-way, the existing 69 kV poles would be removed, and new 230 kV poles would be installed. The existing 69 kV and new 230 kV lines would be installed on the new poles. This configuration would allow for the use of the existing 69 kV transmission line right-of-way and preclude the need for additional easement acquisition. The preferred site E:\FR\FM\22OCN1.SGM 22OCN1 emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 204 / Friday, October 22, 2010 / Notices of the new Sollers Wharf switching station is located near the intersection of Sollers Wharf Road and Pardoe Road, west of Maryland Highways 2 and 4 near the Calvert Cliffs tap. Approximately 6 to 10 acres of the 40acre site would be disturbed during construction. The remainder of the site would serve as a buffer. Construction of the proposal is anticipated for completion in 2015. A Notice of Intent to prepare an EA and hold a scoping meeting was published in the Federal Register on August 27, 2008, in the Enterprise (St. Mary’s County) on August 29, 2008, and in the Calvert Recorder on August 29, 2008. A public meeting was held on September 11, 2008, in SMECO’s Calvert Regional Office located at 901 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, Maryland. A scoping summary report can be found at the RUS website listed in this Notice. The notice of availability of the EA for public review was published in the Federal Register on September 3, 2010, and in the Enterprise and Calvert Recorder on September 3 and 9, 2010. The EA was available for public and agency review on the RUS Web site listed in this Notice; at SMECO’s Calvert Regional Office located at 901 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, Maryland, and at SMECO’s St. Mary’s Regional Office located at 23365 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, Maryland. The 30-day comment period ended on October 3, 2010. No comments were received. SMECO hired Black and Veatch to prepare an EA for RUS that described the proposal and assessed its potential environmental impacts. RUS conducted an independent evaluation of the EA and concurred with its scope and content. In accordance with RUS’s Environmental Policies and Procedures at 7 CFR 1794.41, RUS accepted the document as its official EA. Based on its EA, RUS has concluded that the proposal would have no significant impacts to water quality, wetlands, the 100-year floodplain, land use, aesthetics, transportation, or human health and safety. The proposal will have no adverse effects on historic properties listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. RUS has also concluded that the proposal is not likely to affect federally listed threatened and endangered species or designated critical habitat. The proposal would not disproportionately affect minority and low-income populations. No other potential significant impacts resulting from the proposal have been identified. Therefore, RUS has determined that this FONSI fulfills its VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:43 Oct 21, 2010 Jkt 223001 obligations under NEPA for its action related to the proposal. RUS is satisfied that the environmental impacts of the proposal have been adequately addressed. If RUS takes a federal action on the proposal, it will not result in significant impacts to the quality of the human environment. Accordingly, an Environmental Impact Statement will not be prepared for the proposal. Dated: October 19, 2010. James R. Newby, Chief of Staff, Rural Utilities Service. [FR Doc. 2010–26747 Filed 10–21–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Plumas County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) Forest Service, USDA. Notice of meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: The Plumas County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will hold a meeting on November 12, 2011 in Quincy, CA. The purpose of the meeting is to review a timeline for Cycle 11 funding and view presentations about completed Plumas County RAC projects. The funding is made available under Title II provisions of the Secure Rural Schools and Community SelfDetermination Act of 2000. DATES AND ADDRESSES: The meeting will take place from 9:30–12 at the Mineral Building—Plumas/Sierra County Fairgrounds, 208 Fairgrounds Road, Quincy, CA. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: (or for special needs): Lee Anne Schramel Taylor, Forest Coordinator, USDA, Plumas National Forest, P.O. Box 11500/159 Lawrence Street, Quincy, CA 95971; (530) 283–7850; or by E-MAIL eataylor@fs.fed.us. Other RAC information may be obtained at https:// www.fs.fed.us/srs. SUMMARY: Dated: October 15, 2010. Alice B. Carlton, Forest Supervisor. 65295 The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Resource Advisory Committee will conduct a meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah. The committee is meeting as authorized under the Secure Rural Schools and Community SelfDetermination Act (Pub. L. 110–343) and in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The purpose is to continue the review of project submittals. SUMMARY: The meeting will be held on October 21, 2010, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Salt Lake County Government Center, Room N2003, 2001 South State Street, Salt Lake City, Utah. Written comments should be sent to Loyal Clark, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, 88 West 100 North, Provo, Utah 84601. Comments may also be sent via e-mail to lfclark@fs.fed.us, via facsimile to 801–342–5144. All comments, including names and addresses when provided, are placed in the record and are available for inspection and copying. The public may inspect comments received at the UintaWasatch-Cache National Forest, 88 West 100 North, Provo, Utah 84601. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Loyal Clark, RAC Coordinator, USDA, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, 88 West 100 North, Provo, Utah 84601; 801–342–5117; lfclark@fs.fed.us. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The meeting is open to the public. The following business will be conducted: (1) Approve administrative costs for the RAC, (2) review and amend approve project submission process, and (3) review project submissions. Persons who wish to bring related matters to the attention of the Committee may file written statements with the Committee staff before or after the meeting. DATES: Dated: October 6, 2010. Cheryl Probert, Acting Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 2010–25821 Filed 10–21–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE M [FR Doc. 2010–26559 Filed 10–21–10; 8:45 am] DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service BILLING CODE P Sitka Resource Advisory Committee DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service, USDA. Notice of meeting. AGENCY: Forest Service ACTION: Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Resource Advisory Committee SUMMARY: Forest Service, USDA. Notice of meetings. AGENCY: ACTION: PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The Sitka Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Sitka, Alaska, November 1, 2010. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss potential projects under the Secure Rural Schools and E:\FR\FM\22OCN1.SGM 22OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 204 (Friday, October 22, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65294-65295]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-26747]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative: Notice of Finding of No 
Significant Impact

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) has issued a Finding of No 
Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Environmental Assessment (EA) 
associated with the Holland Cliff to Hewitt Road 230 kV Transmission 
proposal in Calvert and St. Mary's Counties, Maryland. The EA was 
prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(NEPA) (U.S.C. 4231 et seq.) and in accordance with the Council on 
Environmental Quality's (CEQ's) regulations for implementing the 
procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508) and RUS's NEPA 
implementing regulations (7 CFR part 1794, Environmental Policies and 
Procedures). The purpose of the EA was to evaluate the potential 
environmental impacts of and alternatives to a Southern Maryland 
Electric Cooperative (SMECO) application for a RUS loan for the 
proposal. The proposal includes construction of a 30-mile 230 kilovolt 
(kV) transmission line, a new 230/69 kV switching station, and a 230/69 
kV switching station expansion.

ADDRESSES: To obtain copies of the FONSI or EA, or for further 
information, contact: Ms. Lauren McGee, Environmental Scientist, USDA, 
Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 1571, Room 
2239-S, Washington, DC 20250-1571, telephone: (202) 720-1482, fax: 
(202) 690-0649, or e-mail: lauren.mcgee@wdc.usda.gov. A copy of the 
FONSI and EA can be viewed online at: https://www.usda.gov/rus/water/ees/ea.htm.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SMECO proposes to construct a 230 kV 
transmission line between the existing Holland Cliff Switching Station 
in Calvert County to the existing Hewitt Road Switching Station in St. 
Mary's County, Maryland. The proposal has five segments and includes: 
(1) The installation of approximately 20 miles of new 230 kV single 
pole, double-circuit transmission line from the Holland Cliff switching 
station to a new switching station located in Southern Calvert; (2) the 
installation of the new Sollers Wharf 230/69 kV switching station; (3) 
the installation of approximately 8 miles of new 230 kV single pole, 
double-circuit transmission line from the new Southern Calvert 
switching station to the existing Hewitt Road switching station; (4) 
the installation of approximately 2 miles of 230 kV underground 
transmission cable circuit across the lower Patuxent River; and (5) the 
expansion of the existing 230 kV ring bus at the Hewitt Road switching 
station to accommodate the new 230 kV transmission line from Southern 
Calvert. Throughout the right-of-way, the existing 69 kV poles would be 
removed, and new 230 kV poles would be installed. The existing 69 kV 
and new 230 kV lines would be installed on the new poles. This 
configuration would allow for the use of the existing 69 kV 
transmission line right-of-way and preclude the need for additional 
easement acquisition. The preferred site

[[Page 65295]]

of the new Sollers Wharf switching station is located near the 
intersection of Sollers Wharf Road and Pardoe Road, west of Maryland 
Highways 2 and 4 near the Calvert Cliffs tap. Approximately 6 to 10 
acres of the 40-acre site would be disturbed during construction. The 
remainder of the site would serve as a buffer. Construction of the 
proposal is anticipated for completion in 2015.
    A Notice of Intent to prepare an EA and hold a scoping meeting was 
published in the Federal Register on August 27, 2008, in the Enterprise 
(St. Mary's County) on August 29, 2008, and in the Calvert Recorder on 
August 29, 2008. A public meeting was held on September 11, 2008, in 
SMECO's Calvert Regional Office located at 901 Dares Beach Road, Prince 
Frederick, Maryland. A scoping summary report can be found at the RUS 
website listed in this Notice. The notice of availability of the EA for 
public review was published in the Federal Register on September 3, 
2010, and in the Enterprise and Calvert Recorder on September 3 and 9, 
2010. The EA was available for public and agency review on the RUS Web 
site listed in this Notice; at SMECO's Calvert Regional Office located 
at 901 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, Maryland, and at SMECO's St. 
Mary's Regional Office located at 23365 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, 
Maryland. The 30-day comment period ended on October 3, 2010. No 
comments were received.
    SMECO hired Black and Veatch to prepare an EA for RUS that 
described the proposal and assessed its potential environmental 
impacts. RUS conducted an independent evaluation of the EA and 
concurred with its scope and content. In accordance with RUS's 
Environmental Policies and Procedures at 7 CFR 1794.41, RUS accepted 
the document as its official EA.
    Based on its EA, RUS has concluded that the proposal would have no 
significant impacts to water quality, wetlands, the 100-year 
floodplain, land use, aesthetics, transportation, or human health and 
safety. The proposal will have no adverse effects on historic 
properties listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of 
Historic Places. RUS has also concluded that the proposal is not likely 
to affect federally listed threatened and endangered species or 
designated critical habitat. The proposal would not disproportionately 
affect minority and low-income populations.
    No other potential significant impacts resulting from the proposal 
have been identified. Therefore, RUS has determined that this FONSI 
fulfills its obligations under NEPA for its action related to the 
proposal. RUS is satisfied that the environmental impacts of the 
proposal have been adequately addressed. If RUS takes a federal action 
on the proposal, it will not result in significant impacts to the 
quality of the human environment. Accordingly, an Environmental Impact 
Statement will not be prepared for the proposal.

    Dated: October 19, 2010.
James R. Newby,
Chief of Staff, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-26747 Filed 10-21-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P

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