Union Falls Hydropower, L.P.; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment

Download PDF
Federal RegisterMay 16, 2024
89 Fed. Reg. 42867 (May. 16, 2024)

On June 30, 2022, Union Falls Hydropower, L.P. filed a relicense application for the 2.6-megawatt Saranac Hydroelectric Project No. 4472 (project). The project is located on the Saranac River in Franklin and Clinton Counties, New York.

In accordance with the Commission's regulations, on February 29, 2024, Commission staff issued a notice that the project was ready for environmental analysis (REA Notice). Based on the information in the record, including comments filed on the REA Notice, staff does not anticipate that licensing the project would constitute a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. Therefore, staff intends to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) on the application to relicense the project.

The EA will be issued and circulated for review by all interested parties. All comments filed on the EA will be analyzed by staff and considered in the Commission's final licensing decision.

The Commission's Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports meaningful public engagement and participation in Commission proceedings. OPP can help members of the public, including landowners, environmental justice communities, Tribal members and others, access publicly available information and navigate Commission processes. For public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, the public is encouraged to contact OPP at (202) 502-6595 or OPP@ferc.gov.

The application will be processed according to the following schedule. Revisions to the schedule may be made as appropriate.

Milestone Target date
Commission issues EA May 2025.
Comments on EA July 2025.
The Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) regulations under 40 CFR 1501.10(b)(1) (2023) require that EAs be completed within 1 year of the federal action agency's decision to prepare an EA. See National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., as amended by section 107(g)(1)(B)(iii) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, Public Law 118-5, sec. 4336a, 137 Stat. 42.

Any questions regarding this notice may be directed to Joshua Dub at (202) 502-8138 or Joshua.dub@ferc.gov.

Dated: May 9, 2024.

Debbie-Anne A. Reese,

Acting Secretary.

[FR Doc. 2024-10669 Filed 5-15-24; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6717-01-P