Marshalls Energy Company, Inc.; Finding of No Significant Impact

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

Marshalls Energy Company, Inc.; Finding of No Significant Impact

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of finding of no significant impact.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS),

pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as

amended, the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR Parts

1500-1508), and RUS Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR Part

1794), has made a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) with respect

to a project proposed by the Marshalls Energy Company, Inc. (MEC), of

the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The proposed

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project consists of two 6.22 megawatt (MW) diesel electric generating

units and associated facilities that will be constructed immediately

adjacent to the existing Majuro Generating Station, on Dalap Island

which is part of the Majuro Atoll.

RUS has concluded that the environmental impacts from the proposed

project would not be significant and that the proposed action is not a

major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human

environment. Therefore, the preparation of an environmental impact

statement is not required.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lawrence R. Wolfe, Senior Environmental Protection Specialist, USDA

Rural Utilities Service, Engineering and Environmental Staff, 1400

Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250-1571,

telephone: (202) 720-5093.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 161 of the Compact of Free

Association (Compact), Public Law 99-239, among the Government of the

United States, Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia

requires Federal agencies shall apply NEPA to their activities under

the Compact and its related agreements as if the Marshall Islands and

the Federated States of Micronesia were the United States.

RUS, in accordance with its environmental policies and procedures,

required that MEC submit a Borrower's Environmental Report (BER)

reflecting the potential impacts of the proposed facilities. The BER

prepared for MEC by Howard Engineers and Constructors, Ltd. and Earth

Technology Corporation includes input from Republic of the Marshall

Islands agencies. RUS has adopted the BER as its Environmental

Assessment for the project in accordance with 7 CFR 1794.61. RUS has

concluded that the BER represents an accurate assessment of the

environmental impacts of the project. The proposed project should have

no impact on cultural resources, floodplains, wetlands, important

farmland, water quality, air quality, and federally listed or proposed

for listing threatened or endangered species or their critical habitat.

Alternatives considered to the proposed project included no action,

load management, and alternative energy sources. RUS has considered

these alternatives and has concluded that by adding new diesel

generating units, MEC can accommodate the current and projected load

requirements on the Majuro Atoll and provide the flexibility of

maintenance during peak load periods.

Copies of the BER and FONSI are available for review at RUS at the

address provided herein; or can be reviewed at or obtained from the

offices of MEC, P.O. Box 1430, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH 96960,

telephone (692) 625-3507 during normal business hours.

Dated: December 13, 1996.

Adam M. Golodner,

Deputy Administrator, Program Operations.

[FR Doc. 96-32287 Filed 12-19-96; 8:45 am]

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