Notice of Intent To Conduct Public Meetings and Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

Notice of Intent To Conduct Public Meetings and Prepare an

Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to conduct public scoping workshops and

prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) intends to hold public

scoping workshops and prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

in connection with a project in Alaska proposed by the seven electric

utilities that are collectively known as the Intertie Participants

Group (IPG). The IPG consists of Chugach Electric Association, Inc.

(Chugach), Municipality of Anchorage--Municipal Light and Power, City

of Seward--Seward Electric System, Matanuska Electric Association,

Inc., and the Municipality of Fairbanks--Fairbanks Municipal Utilities

System, Golden Valley Electric Association, Inc. (GVEA), and Homer

Electric Association, Inc. (HEA). GVEA and HEA intend to apply for RUS

financing assistance for the proposed project. Chugach will act as the

construction manager for the proposed project. The proposal, which is

referred to as the Southern Intertie Project, consists of the

construction and operation of a 230 kV transmission line to be operated

initially at 138 kV between Anchorage and a location on the Kenai

Peninsula in Alaska.

DATES: RUS will conduct three public scoping workshops as follows:

November 12, 1996, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Spenard Community Recreation

Center, 2020 West 48th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska, Tel: (907) 343-4160

November 13, 1996, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Cooper Landing Community

Hall, Bean Creek Road, Cooper Landing, Alaska, Tel: (907) 595-1257

November 14, 1996, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Kenai Peninsula Borough

Chambers, 144 N. Binkley Street, Soldotna, Alaska, Tel: (907) 262-4441.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nurul Islam, Environmental Protection

Specialist, RUS, Engineering and Environmental Staff, 1400 Independence

Avenue, SW, Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250-1571, telephone (202) 720-

1784, or Dora Gropp, Chugach Electric Association, Inc., 5601 Minnesota

Drive, P.O. Box 196300, Anchorage, Alaska 99519-6300, telephone, (800)

478-7494/(907) 762-4626.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: GVEA and HEA, along with the other five IPG

members, are proposing to construct a 230 kV transmission line between

Anchorage and a location on the Kenai Peninsula. Alternatives to be

considered by RUS include no action, energy conservation, local

generation, system alternatives, transmission alternatives, and

alternative routes. Comments regarding the proposed project may be

submitted orally or in writing within 30 days after the November 14,

1996, workshop to RUS at the address provided in this notice.

The IPG and their consultants have prepared a report entitled,

``Southern Intertie Route Selection Study'' (Study) for the project.

The Environmental Section Report and the Executive Summary Section

Report from that Study are available for public review at RUS or

Chugach, at the addresses provided in this notice. These reports are

also available at the other participants' offices and local libraries.

Please consult local notices for locations.

Based on the study mentioned above and input from interested local,

state, and Federal agencies and the public, the IPG and their

consultants will prepare an Environmental Analysis to be submitted to

RUS for review. RUS will prepare a Draft EIS based on the Environmental

Analysis and any other information available to RUS. The Draft EIS will

be available for public review for 45 days. The Final EIS will then be

prepared considering all the comments received, and made available for

public review and comment at least for 30 days. At the end of 30-day

comment period a Record of Decision will be issued on the project.

This proposal will require compliance with Title 11 of Alaska

National Interest Lands Conservation Act if lands under the

jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are crossed.

Any final action by RUS related to the proposed project will be

subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant Federal

environmental laws and regulations and completion of environmental

review procedures as prescribed by the Council on Environmental Quality

Regulations and RUS Environmental Policies and Procedures.

Dated: October 4, 1996.

Adam M. Golodner,

Deputy Administrator, Program Operations.

[FR Doc. 96-26012 Filed 10-8-96; 8:45 am]

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