[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 22 (Monday, February 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 5000]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2505]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Project No. 2609]


International Paper Company and Curtis/Palmer Hydroelectric 
Company L.P.; Notice of Availability of Study Results and Request for 
Additional Studies

January 28, 1997.
    International Paper Company and Curtis/Palmer Hydroelectric Company 
L.P. are currently engaged in the process of obtaining from the Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) a new operating license for 
the Curtis/Palmer Falls Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 2609). The 
current license for the project is due to expire on April 30, 2000. The 
project is located on the Hudson River in the Village of Corinth and 
the Towns of Corinth, Lake Luzerne and Hadley, in Saratoga County, New 
York. Under the Commission's regulations, an application for licensing 
for the project must be filed by April 30, 1998. International Paper 
Company is managing relicensing activities in cooperation with a team 
of state and federal resources agencies, conservation groups and local 
governments (the Cooperative Team).
    Pursuant to the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and the Commission's 
regulations, Curtis/Palmer Hydroelectric Company L.P. and International 
Paper Company intend to prepare a Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) 
as part of the license application, to be filed with the Commission for 
the project. Public scoping meetings were held on January 10, 1996 and 
February 8, 1996 to identify the scope of environmental issues that 
should be analyzed in the DEA.
    Based on information contained in Scoping Document 1 and comments 
received from resources agencies and other interested parties during 
the scoping meetings and comment period, the Cooperative Team prepared 
study plans to address issues raised during the scoping process and 
published them in Scoping Document 2. Study plans were subsequently 
finalized and studies were undertaken throughout the spring, summer, 
and fall of 1996. The majority of the study reports have been completed 
and organized as Volume I Reports. During the period from January 31, 
1997 until March 3, 1997, these Volume I Reports will be available for 
public review at the International Paper Administration Building at the 
Hudson River Mill on Pine Street in Corinth, New York. The Volume I 
Reports will also be available in the Corinth Town Office and in the 
Commission's Public Reference Room at 888 1st Street NE. in Washington, 
DC. The public is invited to review these documents and to file 
comments on the adequacy of these studies in addressing issues raised 
during scoping. Comments on these studies and requests for any 
additional studies are due by March 3, 1997.
    Because Section 4.32(b)(7) of the Commission's regulations has been 
previously waived, we are requesting that if any resource agency, 
Indian tribe, or person believes that an additional scientific study 
should be conducted in order to form an adequate factual basis for a 
complete analysis of the project on its merit, the resource agency, 
Indian tribe, or person must file a request for a study with the 
Secretary of the Commission at 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 
20426 by March 3, 1997 and serve a copy of the request on Mr. Robert 
McK. Hunziker, International Paper Company, Two Manhattanville Road, 
Purchase, NY 10577 and Mr. Andrew Sims, Kleinschmidt Associates, 75 
Main Street, Pittsfield, ME 04967. Any comments or recommendations for 
further study should be supported by appropriate documentation.
    The remaining reports (Volume II) will be made available for review 
and comment between approximately April 15, 1997 and May 15, 1997 at 
the same locations. Comments and requests for additional studies on the 
Volume II Reports will be due by approximately May 15, 1997. A separate 
public notice will be published specifying the exact due date for 
comments and additional study requests on Volume II.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-2505 Filed 1-3-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M