[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 19 (Monday, January 29, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2812-2813]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-1452]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Project No. 2609, New York]


International Paper Company and Curtis/Palmer Hydroelectric 
Company, L.P.; Notice of Agency Scoping Meeting Pursuant to the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 for an Applicant Prepared 
Environmental Assessment

January 22, 1996.
    Pursuant to the Energy Policy Act of 1992, and as part of the 
license application, the International Paper Company and Curtis/Palmer 
Hydroelectric Company, L.P. (hereinafter referred to as International 
Paper) intends to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) to file with 
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for the Curtis/Palmer Falls 
Hydroelectric Project. Two public Scoping meetings were held on January 
12, 1996. However, due to inclement weather and federal government 
furloughs, another scoping session geared to agency concerns will be 
held, pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, to 
identify the scope of environmental issues that should be analyzed in 
the EA. At the agency scoping meeting, International Paper will: (1) 
Summarize the environmental issues tentatively identified for analysis 
in the EA; (2) solicit from the meeting participants all available 
information, especially quantified data, on the issues

[[Page 2813]]

in question; and (3) encourage statements from experts and the public 
on issues that should be analyzed in the EA.
    Although International Paper's intent is to prepare an EA, there is 
the possibility that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be 
required. Nevertheless, this meeting will satisfy the NEPA scoping 
requirements, irrespective of whether an EA or EIS is issued by the 
Commission.
    Although this meeting is geared toward agency interests, interested 
individuals, organizations, and agencies are invited and encouraged to 
attend and assist in identifying an clarifying the scope of 
environmental issues that should be analyzed in the EA.
    To help focus the discussions, a scoping document was sent out on 
December 7, 1995, as part of the Initial Stage Consultation Document 
(ISCD). Copies of the Scoping Document and ISCD will also be available 
at the meetings.
    The meeting will be held on February 8, 1996, at 9:30 a.m. at the 
Hudson River Mill, Corinth, New York. A cooperative team meeting will 
follow the agency scoping meeting.

Meeting Procedures

    The meeting will be conducted according to the procedures used at 
Commission scoping meetings. Because this meeting will be a NEPA 
scoping meeting, the Commission will not conduct another NEPA scoping 
meeting when the application and EA are filed with the Commission in 
April 1998. Instead, Commission staff will attend the meeting held on 
February 8, 1996.
    The meetings will be recorded by a stenographer and, thereby, will 
become a part of the formal record of the proceedings on the Curtis/
Palmer Falls Project. Individuals presenting statements at the meetings 
will be asked to identify themselves for the record.
    Concerned parties are encouraged to offer verbal guidance during 
public meetings. Speaking time allowed for individuals will be 
determined before each meeting, based on the number of persons wishing 
to speak and the approximate amount of time available for the session, 
but all speakers will be provided at least five minutes to present 
their views.
    Persons choosing not to speak but wishing to express an opinion, as 
well as speakers unable to summarize their positions within the 
allotted time, may submit written statements for inclusion in the 
public record.
    Written scoping comments may also be mailed to Robert Hunziker, 
International Paper Company, Two Manhattanville Road, Purchase, New 
York 10577, by March 11, 1996. Correspondence should clearly show the 
following caption on the first page: Scoping Comments, Curtis/Palmer 
Falls Hydroelectric Project, FERC No. 2609, New York.

    For further information, please contact Stuart Field at (518) 654-
3445 (International Paper Company), Rich Takacs at (202) 219-2840, or 
Steve Naugle (202) 219-2805.

Lois D. Cashell,

Secretary.

[FR Doc. 96-1452 Filed 1-26-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6717-01-M