Notice2023-28698
Georgia Power Company; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment
Primary source
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Published
December 28, 2023
Issuing agencies
Energy DepartmentFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 248 (Thursday, December 28, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 248 (Thursday, December 28, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 89679]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-28698]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Project Nos. 2341-033, 2350-025]
Georgia Power Company; Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Assessment
On December 18, 2018, as supplemented on May 24, 2019, September 6,
2022, September 8, 2022, and November 1, 2023, Georgia Power Company
(Georgia Power) filed an application to surrender, decommission, and
remove the Langdale Hydroelectric Project No. 2341 and the Riverview
Hydroelectric Project No. 2350. The projects are located on the
Chattahoochee River in Chambers County, Alabama and Harris County,
Georgia. The project does not occupy federal lands.
The Commission issued public notice of the surrender applications
for both proceedings on January 24, 2019, with protests, comments, and
motions to intervene due to be filed by February 25, 2019. On February
14, 2019, the Commission issued public notice extending the comment and
intervention period until March 4, 2019, due to the funding lapse at
certain federal agencies between December 22, 2018 and January 25,
2019. Several commenters filed letters opposing the proposed dam
removals at both projects while others expressed concern regarding the
potential for islands in the river to be subject to increased erosion
due to dam removal. Additional comments focused on concern for the
potential loss of boating and fishing opportunities, loss of waterfront
access from neighboring property, as well as for the continued
existence of shoal bass. Letters of support for dam removal were filed
by local citizens as well as the Georgia Department of Natural
Resources Division of Wildlife Resources and the Chattahoochee
Riverkeeper. The Muskogee Nation requested that archeological surveys
be conducted prior to dam removal as well as subsequent monitoring to
ensure protection of archeological sites.
On September 6, 2022, and supplemented on September 8, 2022,
Georgia Power amended its surrender applications by filing the
decommissioning plan for both projects. The Commission issued public
notice of the decommissioning plan on November 17, 2022, with protests,
comments, and motions to intervene due to be filed by December 19,
2022. On December 12, 2022, the FWS filed a letter of support for
decommissioning the projects and removing the associated dams. No other
comments were received pursuant to the public notice.
On November 1, 2023, Georgia Power filed the following plans: (1)
Final Pre-Dam Removal Shoal Bass Abundance and Tracking Study Report;
(2) Final Sediment Quality Study Report; (3) Final Sediment Transport
Assessment Study Report; and (4) Revised Final Hydraulic and Hydrologic
Study Report.
This notice identifies Commission staff's intention to prepare an
environmental assessment (EA) for the project. The planned schedule for
the completion of the EA is July 2024 \1\ Revisions to the schedule may
be made as appropriate. The EA will be issued and made available for
review by all interested parties. All comments filed on the EA will be
reviewed by staff and considered in the Commission's final decision on
the proceeding.
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\1\ 42 U.S.C. 4336a(g)(1)(B) requires lead federal agencies to
complete EAs within 1 year of the agency's decision to prepare an
EA. This notice establishes the Commission's intent to prepare an EA
for the project; therefore, the EA must be issued within 1 year of
the issuance date of this notice.
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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 to 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 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9dd2cdcdddfbf8effeb3faf2eb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="68273838280e0d1a0b460f071e">[email protected]</span></a>.
Any questions regarding this notice may be directed to Mark Ivy at
202.502.6156 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7e131f0c15501708073e181b0c1d50191108"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2f424e5d44014659566f494a5d4c01484059">[email protected]</span></a>.
Dated: December 21, 2023.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-28698 Filed 12-27-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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