Federal Register #Project No. 5223-040

FERC Seeks Environmental Scoping Comments on the International Falls Hydroelectric Project Relicensing

FERC is seeking input on the environmental review of the proposed relicensing of the International Falls Hydroelectric Project. - Government buyer and office: U.S. Department of Energy, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). - Applicant: International Falls Power Company. - Project: A hydroelectric facility on the Rainy River in Minnesota, with a dam, a 48,296.3-acre impoundment, and seven horizontal-shaft Francis turbine-generators totaling 14.45 megawatts. - Proposed operations and planning: Continue operating under the established Rainy Lake rule curve and develop a cultural resources management plan. - FERC is requesting input on potential environmental effects and reasonable alternatives, including effects on aquatic and terrestrial resources, threatened and endangered species, recreation and land use, cultural resources, and project development. - No turbine-generator manufacturer or other equipment OEM is identified. This is an environmental scoping notice, not a procurement solicitation or contract award.

Description

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is opening a scoping process for the proposed relicensing of the International Falls Hydroelectric Project on the Rainy River in Minnesota. The notice requests public comments on the environmental issues and reasonable alternatives to address in the environmental document, due by December 7, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The project includes a dam, impoundment, and seven turbine-generators with a total installed capacity of 14.45 megawatts. International Falls Power Company proposes continued operation under the 2018 Rainy Lake rule curve and development of a cultural resources management plan.

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