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Notice of Request To Use Alternative Procedures in Preparing a License Application

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 [Federal Register: December 7, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 236)]
[Notices]
[Page 76636-76637]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07de00-49]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission


Notice of Request To Use Alternative Procedures in Preparing a
License Application

December 1, 2000.
    Take notice that the following request to use alternative
procedures to prepare a license application has been filed with the
Commission.
    a. Type of Application: Request to use alternative procedures to
prepare a new license application.
    b. Project No.: 2100.
    c. Date filed: November 22, 2000.
    d. Applicant: California Department of Water Resources (DWR).
    e. Name of Project: Oroville Project (Feather River Project).
    f. Location: On the Feather River, in Butte County, California. The
project occupies federal lands within the Plumas and Lassen National
Forests.
    g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 791(a)-825(r).
    h. Applicant Contact: Viju Patel, Executive Manager, Power Systems
at (916) 653-5913 or Rick Ramirez, State Water Project Analysis Office
at (916) 653-1095.
    i. FERC Contact: James Fargo at (202) 219-2848; e-mail
james.fargo@ferc.fed.us
    j. Deadline for Comments: January 8, 2001.
    All documents (original and eight copies) should be filed with:
David P. Boergers, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888
First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. Comments and protests may be
filed electronically via the internet in lieu of paper. See, 18 CFR
385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's web site
at http://www.ferc.fed.us/efi/doorbell.htm.
    k. The Oroville facilities consist of the existing Oroville Dam and
Reservoir, the Edward Hyatt Powerplant, Thermalito Powerplant,
Thermalito Diversion Dam Powerplant, Thermalito Forebay and Afterbay,
and associated recreational and fish and wildlife facilities. The
project has a total installed capacity of 762,000 kilowatts.
    l. DWR has shown that it has made an effort to contact most federal
and state resources agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGO), and
others affected by the project. DWR has also shown that a consensus
exists that the use of alternative procedures is appropriate in this
case. DWR has submitted a proposed communications protocol that is
supported by many of the stakeholders.
    The purpose of this notice is to invite any additional comments on
DWR's request to use the alternative procedures, pursuant to Section
4.34(i) of the Commission's regulations. Additional notices seeking
comments on the specific project proposal, interventions and protests,
and recommended terms and conditions will be issued at a later date.
DWR will complete and file a preliminary Environmental Assessment, in
lieu of Exhibit E of the license application. This differs from the
traditional process, in which an applicant consults with agencies,
Indian tribes, NGOs, and other parties during preparation of the
license application and before filing the application, but the
Commission staff performs the environmental review after the
application is filed. The alternative procedures are intended to
simplify and expedite the licensing process by combining the pre-filing
consultation and environmental review process into a single process, to
facilitate greater participation, and to improve communication and
cooperation among the participants.
    DWR has met with federal and state resources agencies, NGOs,
elected officials flood control and downstream interests, environmental
groups, business and economic development organizations, the boating
industry, and members of the public regarding the

[[Page 76637]]

Oroville Project. DWR intends to file 6-month progress reports during
the alternative procedures process that leads to the filing of a
license application by January 31, 2005.

David P. Boergers,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-31129 Filed 12-6-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M

 
 

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