# Seattle City Light; Notice of Availability of Environmental Assessment
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (Commission or FERC) regulations, 18 CFR part 380, Commission staff reviewed Seattle City Light's (licensee) application for surrender of license for the Newhalem Creek Hydroelectric Project No. 2705 and have prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed surrender. The licensee proposes to decommission and remove most of the project features, including the diversion dam, and to retain certain features considered to be historically important. The project is located on Newhalem Creek, near Newhalem, Whatcom County, Washington. The project occupies federal lands within the Ross Lake National Recreation Area, managed by the National Park Service.
The EA contains Commission staff's analysis of the potential environmental effects of the proposed surrender, alternatives to the proposed action, and concludes that the proposed surrender with appropriate environmental protective measures, would not constitute a major federal action that would significantly affect the quality of the human environment.
The EA may be viewed on the Commission's website at *http://www.ferc.gov* using the “elibrary” link. Enter the docket number (P-2705) in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support at *[email protected]* or toll-free at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY, (202) 502-8659.
You may also register online at *http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp* to be notified via email of new filings and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support.
All comments must be filed by April 29, 2024.
The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please file comments using the Commission's eFiling system at *http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp.* Commenters can submit brief comments up to 6,000 characters, without prior registration, using the eComment system at *http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ecomment.asp.* You must include your name and contact information at the end of your comments. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support. In lieu of electronic filing, you may submit a paper copy. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Acting Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Acting Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852. The first page of any filing should include docket number P-2705-037.
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 *[email protected].*
For further information, contact Diana Shannon at 202-502-6136 or *[email protected].*
Dated: March 29, 2024.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Acting Secretary.