In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regulations, 18 CFR part 380 (Order No. 486, 52 FR 47897), the Office of Energy Projects staff (staff) reviewed the request to use Santee-Cooper Project lands and waters in the development of a Lake Marion Regional Water System Project. The project is located on the Santee and Cooper Rivers (Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie) in Berkeley, Calhoun, Clarendon, Orangeburg, and Sumter Counties, South Carolina. Staff prepared an environmental assessment (EA) for the application and analyzed the effects of structures to be constructed on project lands, as well as the water withdrawal from Lake Marion. Staff concluded that the licensee's proposal would not constitute a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.
A copy of the EA is available for review at the Commission in the Public Reference Room, located at 888 First Street, NE., Room 2A, Washington, DC 20426 or may be viewed on the Commission's Web site at