[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 115 (Tuesday, June 16, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32868-32869]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15908]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Project No. 271-AR]


Entergy Arkansas, Inc.; Notice of Entergy Arkansas, Inc. To Use 
Alternative Procedures in Filing a License Application

June 10, 1998.
    On May 26, 1998, the existing licensee, Entergy Arkansas, Inc. 
(Entergy), filed a request to use alternative procedures for submitting 
an application for new license for the existing Carpenter-Remmel 
Hydroelectric Project No. 271. The project is located on the Ouachita 
River, in Garland and Hot Springs Counties, Arkansas, and consists of 
two developments. The 56.0 megawatt (MW) Carpenter development includes 
Lake Hamilton Reservoir, which is created by Carpenter Dam. The 
downstream 11.0 MW Remmel development includes Lake Catherine 
Reservoir, which is created by Remmel Dam. The project does not occupy 
lands of the United States.

[[Page 32869]]

    Entergy has demonstrated that it has made an effort to contact all 
resource agencies, Indian tribes, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), 
and others affected by the proposal, and that a consensus exists that 
the use of alternative procedures is appropriate in this case. Further, 
waiving the Commission's regulations will be automatic upon approval of 
the alternative procedures stipulated in Order No. 596.\1\
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    \1\ Order No. 596, Regulations for the Licensing of 
Hydroelectric Projects, 81 FERC para. 61,103 (1997).
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    Entergy has developed a communications protocol that is supported 
by the interested entities.
    The purpose of this notice is to invite any additional comments on 
Entergy'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.
    The alternative procedures being requested here combine the 
prefiling consultation process with the environmental review process, 
allowing Entergy to complete and file an Environmental Assessment (EA) 
in lieu of Exhibit E of the license application. This differs from the 
traditional process, in which an applicant consults with agencies, 
Indian tribes, and NGOs during preparation of the application for the 
license and before filing it, 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 prefiling consultation and environmental review 
processes into a single process, to facilitate greater participation, 
and to improve communication and cooperation among the participants.

Alternative Procedures and Carpenter-Remmel Hydroelectric Project 
Schedule

    Entergy has distributed an Initial Consultation Packet for the 
proposed project to state and federal resource agencies, local 
interests, and NGOs. Entergy has submitted a proposed schedule for the 
alternative procedures that leads to the filing of a license 
application by February 28, 2001.

Comments

    Interested parties have 30 days from the date of this notice to 
file with the Commission any comments on Entergy's proposal to use the 
alternative procedures to file an application for the Carpenter-Remmel 
Hydroelectric Project.

Filing Requirements

    The comments must be filed by providing an original and 8 copies as 
required by the Commission's regulations to: Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, Office of the Secretary, Dockets--Room 1A, 888 First 
Street, NE, Washington, DC 20426.
    All filings must bear the heading ``Comments on the Alternative 
Procedures,'' and include the project name and number (Carpenter-Remmel 
Hydroelectric Project No. 271).
    For further information on this process, please call Chris Metcalf 
of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission at (202) 219-2810.
Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-15908 Filed 6-15-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M