Angeles National Forest, California, Antelope-Pardee 500-kV Transmission Project, 37080-37083 [05-12691]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
37080
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 123 / Tuesday, June 28, 2005 / Notices
The majority of the commenters
expressed concern that rice from this
field trial may inadvertently become
mixed with rice intended for food or
feed use. Commenters were concerned
that birds, mammals, water, or human
error might move small amounts of rice
from the permitted field into
commercially grown rice or rice
products. Commenters also suggested
that hybridization may occur with
weedy rice types and allow the
lactoferrin gene to persist in the
environment. Commenters also focused
on potential market loss for commercial
rice if genetically engineered rice were
to be grown in the same geographic area.
Several of these commenters also
expressed concern for food safety if this
rice were incorporated in general
commodity rice. Supporters of the field
trial commented on the safety of the
trial, the closed production design for
the field trial, and the economic and
health benefits that could result from
the production of rice that expresses
lactoferrin.
APHIS evaluated the impacts on the
human environment in the EA, and we
have responded to comments in an
attachment to the finding of no
significant impact (FONSI), which is
available as indicated under the
heading, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT. Between the close of the
previous comment period and the
publication of this notice, Ventria
Bioscience has withdrawn its
application to conduct a field test in
Scott County, MO. However, because
many of the issues in Missouri are
similar to those in North Carolina and
the public expressed a great deal of
interest in the Missouri test site, APHIS
has addressed the comments from both
Federal Register notices in an
attachment to the FONSI.
Background
The subject rice plants have been
genetically engineered, using microprojectile bombardment, to express
human lactoferrin protein. Expression of
the gene is controlled by the rice
glutelin1 promoter, the rice glutelin 1
signal peptide, and the NOS (nopaline
synthase) terminator sequence from
Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The gene is
expressed only in the endosperm. In
addition, the plants contain the coding
sequence for the gene hygromycin
phosphotransferase (hpt), an enzyme
which confers tolerance to the antibiotic
hygromycin. This gene is a selectable
marker that is only expressed during
plant cell culture and is not expressed
in any tissues of the mature plant.
Expression of the gene is controlled by
the rice glucanase 9 (Gns 9) promoter
VerDate jul<14>2003
16:46 Jun 27, 2005
Jkt 205001
and the Rice Alpha Amylase 1A
(RAmy1A) terminator.
The genetically engineered rice plants
are considered regulated articles under
the regulations in 7 CFR part 340
because they contain gene sequences
from plant pathogens. The purposes of
the field tests are for pure seed
production and for the extraction of
lactoferrin for a variety of research and
commercial products. The planting will
be conducted using multiple measures
to ensure strict confinement. In
addition, the experimental protocols
and field plot design, as well as the
procedures for termination of the field
tests, are designed to ensure that none
of the subject rice plants persist in the
environment beyond the termination of
the experiments.
Pursuant to its regulations in 7 CFR
340, promulgated under the Plant
Protection Act of 2000, APHIS has
determined that this field trial will not
pose a risk of the introduction or
dissemination of a plant pest for the
following reasons:
1. The field trial is confined.
Regulated articles are not likely to be
removed from the field site through
transport by water or animals.
Accidental transport of regulated
articles from the site by humans is
minimized by strict standard operating
procedures and permit conditions.
2. Rice is predominately selffertilizing, has short pollen viability,
and the sites are several miles from
commercial rice crops. Therefore, it is
extremely unlikely that crosspollination could occur with
commercial rice.
3. The nos sequence is from the soilinhabiting bacterial plant pathogen,
Agrobacterium sp. and does not encode
a protein. It does not cause plant disease
and has a history of safe use in a
number of genetically engineered plants
(e.g., rice, corn, cotton and soybean
varieties). The regulatory sequences
from rice are the Gns9 promoter, Gt1
promoter, gt1 signal peptide, and the
RAmyl 1A terminator. None of the DNA
regulatory sequences can cause plant
disease by themselves or in conjunction
with the genes that were introduced into
the transgenic rice lines.
4. Lactoferrin is expressed
predominantly in seed. Levels of
expression in the remainder of the plant
are not detectable.
5. Given the history of safe use of
lactoferrin supplements in food and oral
hygiene products and as nutritional
supplements, APHIS concludes that
humans are unlikely to be significantly
affected by incidental contact with this
rice that may occur during this field
trial.
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
6. Based on the lack of toxicity of the
proteins that will be produced and the
prescribed permit conditions to
minimize any seed remaining on the
soil surface, APHIS concludes that there
will be no significant effect on any
native floral or faunal species in Scott
County, MO, or Washington County,
NC.
The EA and FONSI were prepared in
accordance with: (1) The National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.), (2) regulations of the Council on
Environmental Quality for
implementing the procedural provisions
of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500–1508), (3)
USDA regulations implementing NEPA
(7 CFR part 1b), and (4) APHIS’ NEPA
Implementing Procedures (7 CFR part
372). Copies of the EA and FONSI are
available as indicated under the
heading, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT.
Done in Washington, DC, this 22nd day of
June 2005.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E5–3353 Filed 6–27–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Angeles National Forest, California,
Antelope-Pardee 500-kV Transmission
Project
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of intent to prepare a
joint environmental impact statement/
report.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
the USDA Forest Service, together with
the California Public Utilities
Commission (CPUC), will prepare a
joint Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) and Environmental Impact Report
(EIR) in response to applications
received from Southern California
Edison for construction of a new 25.6mile 500-kilovolt (kV) transmission line
between the proponent’s existing 220kV Antelope and Pardee substations that
are located in Los Angeles County,
California. The Forest Service is the lead
Federal agency for the preparation of
this EIS/EIR in compliance with the
National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) and all other applicable laws,
executive orders, regulations, and
direction. The CPUC is the lead State of
California agency for the preparation of
the EIS/EIR in compliance with the
California Environmental Quality Act
E:\FR\FM\28JNN1.SGM
28JNN1
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 123 / Tuesday, June 28, 2005 / Notices
(CEQA), California Public Resource
Code Division 13, and all other
applicable laws and regulations. Both
agencies have determined an EIS/EIR is
needed to effectively analyze the
proposal and evaluate impacts. The new
500-kV transmission line would replace
the existing 100-foot right-of-way 66 kVline along 17.5 miles of the proposed
route. Approximately 13 miles of the
Antelope-Pardee 500-kV Transmission
Project would be located in a 160-foot
right-of-way on National Forest System
land (managed by the Angeles National
Forest). Approximately three miles of
the proposed project would be
constructed in a new right-of-way
outside of the Angeles National Forest.
The proposed project also includes an
expansion and upgrade of the Antelope
Substation from 220 kV to 500 kV, and
the relocation of several existing 66-kV
subtransmission lines near the Antelope
Substation. The USDA Forest Service
and the CPUC invite written comments
on the scope of this proposed project. In
addition, the agencies give notice of this
analysis so that interested and affected
individuals are aware of how they may
participate and contribute to the final
decision.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope
of the analysis must be received by July
29, 2005. Two public information and
scoping meetings are proposed to
provide information about the proposed
project to the public and to allow people
to comment on the proposed project.
The draft EIS/EIR is expected in
September 2005 and the final EIS/EIR is
expected in December 2005.
ADDRESSES: To request a copy of the
draft or final EIS/EIR and/or to send
written comments, please write to the
Angeles National Forest and/or
California Public Utilities Commission,
c/o Aspen Environmental Group, 30423
Canwood Street, Suite 215, Agoura
Hills, CA 91301.
E-mail communications are also
welcome; however, please remember to
include your name and a return address
in the email message. E-mail messages
should be sent to antelopepardee@aspeneg.com. Information
about this application and the
environmental review process will be
posted on the Internet at: https://
www.cpuc.ca.gov/environment/info/
aspen/antelopepardee/
antelopepardee.htm. This site will be
used to post all public documents
during the environmental review
process and to announce up-coming
public meetings.
Public meeting locations will be held
at 6:30 p.m. at the following locations:
Desert Inn Hotel, June 29, 2005, 44219
VerDate jul<14>2003
16:46 Jun 27, 2005
Jkt 205001
Sierra Highway, Lancaster, CA 93534;
and Santa Clarita Activity Center, July
14, 2005, 20880 Centre Point Parkway,
Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
additional information related to the
project on National Forest System land,
contact Marian Kadota, Planning
Forester, Forest Service, 6755 Hollister
Avenue, Suite 150, Goleta, CA 93117;
phone: (805) 961–5732. For additional
information related to the project on
non-National Forest System land,
contact John Boccio, California Public
Utilities Commission, 505 Van Ness
Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102;
phone: (415) 703–2641. Project
information can also be requested by
leaving a voice message or sending a fax
to the Project Information Hotline at
(661) 215–5152.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Proposed Action
Southern California Edison would
construct, use, and maintain a new 25.6mile 500-kV transmission line between
the proponent’s existing 220-kV
Antelope and Pardee substations that
are located in Los Angeles County,
California. The proposed transmission
line will cross approximately 13 miles
of National Forest System land managed
by the Angeles National Forest. To
accomplish the proposed action, the
Forest Service Responsible Official
would have Southern California Edison
remove a 66-kV transmission line (along
with its ancillary improvements) and
would authorize a 50-year term Special
Use Easement for a 13-mile, 160-foot
wide right-of-way, for construction, use,
and maintenance of a portion of the
25.6-mile 500-kV line along that same
transmission line route. The
authorization will include ancillary
improvements on National Forest
System lands including towers, access
roads to construct and maintain the line,
and a fiber optical ground wire along
the line as a secondary
telecommunication path. This proposed
action would involve lands managed by
the Santa Clara/Mojave Rivers Ranger
District, Angeles National Forest in
portions of Sections within Township 5
North, Range 15 West; Township 5
North, Range 16 West; Township 6
North, Range 14 West; and Township 6
North, Range 15 West, San Bernardino
Base and Meridian. This authorization
would be part of the CPUC issuance of
a Certificate of Public Convenience and
Necessity to permit construction of the
new 25.6-mile 500-kV transmission line
along with the ancillary improvements.
The proposed transmission system off
National Forest System lands includes
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
37081
three miles of new right-of-way, the
relocation of sections of 66-kV and 12kV facilities, and an expansion and
upgrade of the Antelope Substation
from 220 kV to 500 kV, including the
physical expansion of the Antelope
Substation by 31 acres. Ancillary
improvements also include towers and
the construction of two
telecommunication paths between
Antelope and Pardee substations. Lands
other than National Forest System lands
that would be impacted are located in
portions of Sections within Township 4
North, Range 16 West; Township 7
North, Range 13 West; and, Township 7
North, Range 14 West, San Bernardino
Base and Meridian. Construction
activities associated with the proposed
action would include grading areas to
upgrade improvements to the Antelope
Substation, 114 new towers, repairing
existing access and spur roads along
with the temporary use and
construction of spur roads to
approximately 20 tower locations, and
the temporary use of approximately 24
new pulling locations and 15 new
splicing locations.
The transmission line would be
initially energized at 220 kV with the
intent to help accommodate up to 4,400
megawatts (MW) of potential wind
generation located north of Antelope,
California in the future by energizing
the system to 500 kV.
Purpose and Need for Action
The purpose for this action is to
upgrade the transmission system from
Antelope Substation located near
Lancaster, California to the Pardee
Substation located near Santa Clarita,
California. The existing transmission
path from the Antelope to Vincent
(located south of Palmdale, California)
substations is fully loaded (at capacity)
and Southern California Edison has
identified the need for additional
transmission and substation facilities
between the Antelope and Pardee
substations. This upgrade is needed to
aid in interconnecting and integrating
energy generated from a proposed 201–
MW wind project located 8.5 miles
northwest of the Antelope Substation
located near Lancaster, California into
Southern California Edison’s electrical
system.
Background
Southern California Edison has
proposed that the construction of a 500kV transmission system would help to
accommodate up to 4,400 MW of
potential proposed wind generation that
may be located north of Antelope, and
would avoid the future construction,
tearing down, and replacement of
E:\FR\FM\28JNN1.SGM
28JNN1
37082
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 123 / Tuesday, June 28, 2005 / Notices
multiple 220-kV facilities with 500-kV
facilities. The proposed 500-kV
transmission line would prevent
overloading of the existing transmission
facilities in order to allow the 201 MW
to be safely transferred to serve system
load.
Under Sections 210 and 212 of the
Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824 (i) and
(k)) and Sections 3.2 and 5.7 of the
California Independent System
Operator’s Tariff, Southern California
Edison is obligated to interconnect and
integrate this wind energy project into
its system. In addition, the 2001
National Energy Policy goals are to
increase domestic energy supplies,
modernize and improve our nation’s
energy infrastructure, and improve the
reliability of the delivery of energy from
its sources to points of use. Executive
Order 13212 encourages increased
production and transmission of energy
in a safe and environmentally sound
manner. According to Executive Order
13212, for energy related projects,
agencies shall expedite their review of
permits or take other actions as
necessary to accelerate the completion
of such projects. The agencies shall take
such actions to the extent permitted by
law and regulations, and where
appropriate. Based on the 1987 Angeles
National Forest Land and Resource
Management Plan, the proposed route is
within a designated utility corridor. The
proposal complies with the Angeles
National Forest Land and Resources
Management Plan, which requires
utility companies to upgrade size of
transmission facilties to maximum
capacity within existing corridors before
new utility corridors are considered.
Possible Alternatives
Presently, the USDA Forest Service
and the CPUC have identified
preliminary action alternatives for
consideration in the environmental
analysis. The preliminary action
alternatives include two other
alternative routes for the proposed 500kV transmission line, a construction
alternative to locate all or portions of
the proposed transmission line
underground, and an alternative for the
types and number of towers that would
be used.
The alternatives currently under
consideration (besides the proposed
action) are:
• The No-Action Alternative, under
which the proposed 500-kV
transmission line would not be
constructed and no expansion activities
at the Antelope Substation would occur.
• The Los Angeles Department of
Water and Power (LADWP)
Transmission Line Route Alternative
VerDate jul<14>2003
16:46 Jun 27, 2005
Jkt 205001
that would construct the 500-kV
transmission line along a 22.8-mile
alternative route between the Antelope
and Pardee substations. The route
would travel within portions of the
existing LADWP right-of-way, and
would traverse the Angeles National
Forest for 14.4 miles.
• The Non-National Forest System
Land Alternative that would avoid
National Forest lands. This alternative
will be developed during the
environmental review process.
• The Underground Alternative that
would construct all or portions of the
500-kV transmission line underground
along the proposed project route.
• The Tower, Conductor, and Voltage
Alternative that would use singlecircuit, 500-kV towers along the entire
project route in place of the doublecircuit, 500-kV towers that have been
proposed along portions of the route.
The final alternatives analyzed in
detail will depend on the issues raised
during public scoping and further
investigation of the feasibility of
alternatives.
Lead and Cooperating Agencies
The USDA Forest Service and the
CPUC will be joint lead agencies in
accordance with 40 CFR 1501.5(b), and
are responsible for the preparation of
the EIS/EIR. The Forest Service will
serve as the lead agency under NEPA.
The CPUC will serve as the lead agency
under CEQA.
Scoping will determine if additional
cooperating agencies are needed.
Responsible Official
The Forest Service responsible official
for the preparation of the EIS/EIR is
Jody Noiron, Forest Supervisor, Angeles
National Forest, 701 N. Santa Anita
Avenue, Arcadia, CA 91006.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The Forest Supervisor for the Angeles
National Forest will decide whether or
not to have Southern California Edison
remove the 66-kV line (along with the
ancillary improvements) and authorize a
50-year term Special Use Easement for
a 13-mile, 160-foot wide right-of-way for
contruction, use, and maintenance of a
500-kV line along that same
transmission line route (or alternate
route). The authorization will include
ancillary improvements on National
Forest System lands needed to maintain
this system (e.g., towers, roads,
communication equipment). If this
alternative is approved, the Forest
Supervisor will also decide what
mitigation measures and monitoring
will be required. The Forest Supervisor
will only make a decision regarding
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
impacts on National Forest System
lands. The Forest Supervisor will not
have a decision to make if the CPUC
selects an alternative for the AntelopePardee 500-kV Transmission Project that
does not involve National Forest System
lands.
Scoping Process
Public participation will be especially
important at several stages during the
analysis. The lead agencies will be
seeking information, comments, and
assistance from Federal, State, local
agencies, and other individuals and
organizations that may be interested in
or affected by the proposed project. This
input will be used in preparation of the
draft EIS/EIR. The scoping process
includes:
• Inviting the participation of affected
Federal, State, and local agencies, and
affected Native American tribes, the
proponent of the action and other
interested persons.
• Determining the scope and the
significant issues to be analyzed in
depth in the EIS.
• Identifying and eliminating from
detailed study the issues that are not
significant or that have been covered by
prior environmental review.
• Indicating any public
environmental assessments and other
EISs that are being or will be prepared
that are related to but are not part of the
scope of this impact statement.
• Identifying potential environmental
effects of the alternatives identified to
date. Two scoping meetings are
proposed to provide information about
the proposed project to the public and
to allow people to comment on the
proposed project. The scoping meetings
will be held on the following dates,
locations and times: Desert Inn Hotel,
June 29, 2005, 6:30 p.m., 44219 Sierra
Highway, Lancaster, CA 93534; Santa
Clarita Activity Center, July 14, 2005,
6:30 p.m., 20880 Centre Point Parkway,
Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Preliminary Issues
A number of potential impacts were
identified in the Proponent’s
Environmental Assessment Antelope
Transmission Project, Segment 1 issued
by Southern California Edison on
December 9, 2004. The following
preliminary issues were identified in
this report related to the proposed
project: Visual impacts; air quality
impacts; impacts to biological, cultural,
and geological resources; impacts
resulting from hazards and hazardous
materials; impacts to hydrology and
water quality; land use and noise
impacts; impacts to public services and
utilities; recreation impacts; and
E:\FR\FM\28JNN1.SGM
28JNN1
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 123 / Tuesday, June 28, 2005 / Notices
impacts to traffic and transportation.
Other issues identified are impacts to
future forest management projects (e.g.,
fuel hazard reduction projects and fire
fighting strategies), Electric and
Magnetic Fields and Health Effects, and
impacts from noxious weeds.
Permits or Licenses Required
A 50-year term Special Use Easement
for the construction, maintenance, and
use of the 500-kV transmission line
would be authorized to Southern
California Edison by the Regional
Director of Natural Resource
Management of the Forest Service, and
a Certificate of Public Convenience and
Necessity would be issued by the
California Public Utility Commission as
part of this decision. Additional permits
that may be required of Southern
California Edison to construct the
proposed project could include: A
Permit to Operate issued by the South
Coast Air Quality Management District,
a National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System General
Construction Permit issued by
California’s Regional Water Quality
Control Board, a Section 404 Permit (per
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act)
issued by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, and a Streambed Alteration
Agreement (per Section 1601 of the
California Fish and Game Code) issued
by the California Department of Fish
and Game.
Comment Requested
This notice of intent initiates the
scoping process that guides the
development of the EIS/EIR. The Forest
Service is seeking public and agency
comment on the proposed project to
identify major issues to be analyzed in
depth and assistance in identifying
potential alternatives to be evaluated.
Comments received to this notice,
including the names and addresses of
those who comment, will be considered
as part of the public record on this
proposed project, and will be available
for public inspection. Comments
submitted anonymously will be
accepted and considered; however,
those who submit anonymous
comments will not have standing to
appeal the subsequent decision under
36 CFR Part 215. Additionally, pursuant
to 7 CFR 1.27(d), any person may
request the agency to withhold a
submission from the public record by
showing how the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) permits such
confidentiality. Persons requesting such
confidentiality should be aware that,
under the FOIA, confidentiality may be
granted in only very limited
circumstances, such as to protect trade
VerDate jul<14>2003
17:51 Jun 27, 2005
Jkt 205001
37083
secrets. The Forest Service will inform
the requester of the agency’s decision
regarding the request for confidentiality.
Where the request is denied, the agency
will return the submission and notify
the requester that the comments may be
resubmitted, without names and
addresses, within a specified number of
days.
Dated: June 22, 2005.
Susan R. Swinson,
Acting Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 05–12691 Filed 6–27–05; 8:45 am]
Early Notice of Importance of Public
Participation in Subsequent
Environmental Review
Agenda and Notice of Public Meeting
of the Iowa, Kansas, Missouri,
Nebraska and Oklahoma Advisory
Committees
A draft EIS/EIR will be prepared for
comment. The comment period on the
draft EIS/EIR will be 45 days from the
date the Environmental Protection
Agency publishes the notice of
availability in the Federal Register.
The Forest Service believes, at this
early stage, that it is important to give
reviewers notice of several court rulings
related to public participation in the
environmental review process. First,
reviewers of draft EISs must structure
their participation in the environmental
review of the proposal so that it is
meaningful and alerts an agency to the
reviewer’s position and contentions.
Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v.
NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 553 (1978). Also,
environmental objections that could be
raised at the draft environmental EIS
stage but that are not raised until after
completion of the final EIS may be
waived or dismissed by the courts. City
of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 1016,
1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin
Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp.
1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). Because of
these court rulings, it is very important
that those interested in this proposed
action participate by the close of the 45day comment period so that substantive
comments and objections are made
available to the Forest Service at a time
when it can meaningfully consider them
and respond to them in the final EIS/
EIR.
To assist the Forest Service in
identifying and considering issues and
concerns on the proposed project,
comments on the draft EIS/EIR should
be as specific as possible. It is also
helpful if comments refer to specific
pages or chapters of the draft statement.
Comments may also address the
adequacy of the draft EIS/EIR or the
merits of the alternatives formulated
and discussed in the statement.
Reviewers may wish to refer to the
Council on Environmental Quality
Regulations for implementing the
procedural provisions of NEPA at 40
CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points.
(Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22;
Forest Service Handbook 1909.15, Section
21)
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS
Notice is hereby given, pursuant to
the provisions of the rules and
regulations of the U.S. Commission on
Civil Rights, that a conference call of the
Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and
Oklahoma Advisory Committees will
convene at 1:30 p.m. and adjourn at 3:30
p.m. (c.s.t.) on Thursday, July 28, 2005.
The purpose of the conference call is to
plan for future activities in FY 2005–06.
This conference call is available to the
public through the following call-in
number: 1–800–597–0731, access code
number 41684738. Any interested
member of the public may call this
number and listen to the meeting.
Callers can expect to incur charges for
calls not initiated using the supplied
call-in number or over wireless lines
and the Commission will not refund any
incurred charges. Callers will incur no
charge for calls using the call-in number
over land-line connections. Persons
with hearing impairments may also
follow the proceedings by first calling
the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–977–
8339 and providing the Service with the
conference call number and access code.
To ensure that the Commission
secures an appropriate number of lines
for the public, persons are asked to
register by contacting Corrine Sanders of
the Central Regional Office 913–551–
1400 and TTY 913–551–1414), by 2 p.m.
(c.s.t.) on Friday, July 22, 2005.
The meeting will be conducted
pursuant to the provisions of the rules
and regulations of the Commission.
Dated in Washington, DC, June 28, 2005.
Ivy L. Davis,
Acting Chief, Regional Programs
Coordination Unit.
[FR Doc. 05–12734 Filed 6–27–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6335–01–P
COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS
Agenda and Notice of Public Meeting
of the Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana
and Mississippi Advisory Committees
Notice is hereby given, pursuant to
the provisions of the rules and
regulations of the U.S. Commission on
E:\FR\FM\28JNN1.SGM
28JNN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 123 (Tuesday, June 28, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37080-37083]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-12691]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Angeles National Forest, California, Antelope-Pardee 500-kV
Transmission Project
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a joint environmental impact
statement/report.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the USDA Forest Service, together
with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), will prepare a
joint Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Environmental Impact
Report (EIR) in response to applications received from Southern
California Edison for construction of a new 25.6-mile 500-kilovolt (kV)
transmission line between the proponent's existing 220-kV Antelope and
Pardee substations that are located in Los Angeles County, California.
The Forest Service is the lead Federal agency for the preparation of
this EIS/EIR in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) and all other applicable laws, executive orders, regulations,
and direction. The CPUC is the lead State of California agency for the
preparation of the EIS/EIR in compliance with the California
Environmental Quality Act
[[Page 37081]]
(CEQA), California Public Resource Code Division 13, and all other
applicable laws and regulations. Both agencies have determined an EIS/
EIR is needed to effectively analyze the proposal and evaluate impacts.
The new 500-kV transmission line would replace the existing 100-foot
right-of-way 66 kV-line along 17.5 miles of the proposed route.
Approximately 13 miles of the Antelope-Pardee 500-kV Transmission
Project would be located in a 160-foot right-of-way on National Forest
System land (managed by the Angeles National Forest). Approximately
three miles of the proposed project would be constructed in a new
right-of-way outside of the Angeles National Forest. The proposed
project also includes an expansion and upgrade of the Antelope
Substation from 220 kV to 500 kV, and the relocation of several
existing 66-kV subtransmission lines near the Antelope Substation. The
USDA Forest Service and the CPUC invite written comments on the scope
of this proposed project. In addition, the agencies give notice of this
analysis so that interested and affected individuals are aware of how
they may participate and contribute to the final decision.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received
by July 29, 2005. Two public information and scoping meetings are
proposed to provide information about the proposed project to the
public and to allow people to comment on the proposed project. The
draft EIS/EIR is expected in September 2005 and the final EIS/EIR is
expected in December 2005.
ADDRESSES: To request a copy of the draft or final EIS/EIR and/or to
send written comments, please write to the Angeles National Forest and/
or California Public Utilities Commission, c/o Aspen Environmental
Group, 30423 Canwood Street, Suite 215, Agoura Hills, CA 91301.
E-mail communications are also welcome; however, please remember to
include your name and a return address in the email message. E-mail
messages should be sent to antelope-pardee@aspeneg.com. Information
about this application and the environmental review process will be
posted on the Internet at: https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/environment/info/
aspen/antelopepardee/antelopepardee.htm. This site will be used to post
all public documents during the environmental review process and to
announce up-coming public meetings.
Public meeting locations will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the following
locations: Desert Inn Hotel, June 29, 2005, 44219 Sierra Highway,
Lancaster, CA 93534; and Santa Clarita Activity Center, July 14, 2005,
20880 Centre Point Parkway, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information related to
the project on National Forest System land, contact Marian Kadota,
Planning Forester, Forest Service, 6755 Hollister Avenue, Suite 150,
Goleta, CA 93117; phone: (805) 961-5732. For additional information
related to the project on non-National Forest System land, contact John
Boccio, California Public Utilities Commission, 505 Van Ness Avenue,
San Francisco, CA 94102; phone: (415) 703-2641. Project information can
also be requested by leaving a voice message or sending a fax to the
Project Information Hotline at (661) 215-5152.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Proposed Action
Southern California Edison would construct, use, and maintain a new
25.6-mile 500-kV transmission line between the proponent's existing
220-kV Antelope and Pardee substations that are located in Los Angeles
County, California. The proposed transmission line will cross
approximately 13 miles of National Forest System land managed by the
Angeles National Forest. To accomplish the proposed action, the Forest
Service Responsible Official would have Southern California Edison
remove a 66-kV transmission line (along with its ancillary
improvements) and would authorize a 50-year term Special Use Easement
for a 13-mile, 160-foot wide right-of-way, for construction, use, and
maintenance of a portion of the 25.6-mile 500-kV line along that same
transmission line route. The authorization will include ancillary
improvements on National Forest System lands including towers, access
roads to construct and maintain the line, and a fiber optical ground
wire along the line as a secondary telecommunication path. This
proposed action would involve lands managed by the Santa Clara/Mojave
Rivers Ranger District, Angeles National Forest in portions of Sections
within Township 5 North, Range 15 West; Township 5 North, Range 16
West; Township 6 North, Range 14 West; and Township 6 North, Range 15
West, San Bernardino Base and Meridian. This authorization would be
part of the CPUC issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and
Necessity to permit construction of the new 25.6-mile 500-kV
transmission line along with the ancillary improvements.
The proposed transmission system off National Forest System lands
includes three miles of new right-of-way, the relocation of sections of
66-kV and 12-kV facilities, and an expansion and upgrade of the
Antelope Substation from 220 kV to 500 kV, including the physical
expansion of the Antelope Substation by 31 acres. Ancillary
improvements also include towers and the construction of two
telecommunication paths between Antelope and Pardee substations. Lands
other than National Forest System lands that would be impacted are
located in portions of Sections within Township 4 North, Range 16 West;
Township 7 North, Range 13 West; and, Township 7 North, Range 14 West,
San Bernardino Base and Meridian. Construction activities associated
with the proposed action would include grading areas to upgrade
improvements to the Antelope Substation, 114 new towers, repairing
existing access and spur roads along with the temporary use and
construction of spur roads to approximately 20 tower locations, and the
temporary use of approximately 24 new pulling locations and 15 new
splicing locations.
The transmission line would be initially energized at 220 kV with
the intent to help accommodate up to 4,400 megawatts (MW) of potential
wind generation located north of Antelope, California in the future by
energizing the system to 500 kV.
Purpose and Need for Action
The purpose for this action is to upgrade the transmission system
from Antelope Substation located near Lancaster, California to the
Pardee Substation located near Santa Clarita, California. The existing
transmission path from the Antelope to Vincent (located south of
Palmdale, California) substations is fully loaded (at capacity) and
Southern California Edison has identified the need for additional
transmission and substation facilities between the Antelope and Pardee
substations. This upgrade is needed to aid in interconnecting and
integrating energy generated from a proposed 201-MW wind project
located 8.5 miles northwest of the Antelope Substation located near
Lancaster, California into Southern California Edison's electrical
system.
Background
Southern California Edison has proposed that the construction of a
500-kV transmission system would help to accommodate up to 4,400 MW of
potential proposed wind generation that may be located north of
Antelope, and would avoid the future construction, tearing down, and
replacement of
[[Page 37082]]
multiple 220-kV facilities with 500-kV facilities. The proposed 500-kV
transmission line would prevent overloading of the existing
transmission facilities in order to allow the 201 MW to be safely
transferred to serve system load.
Under Sections 210 and 212 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824
(i) and (k)) and Sections 3.2 and 5.7 of the California Independent
System Operator's Tariff, Southern California Edison is obligated to
interconnect and integrate this wind energy project into its system. In
addition, the 2001 National Energy Policy goals are to increase
domestic energy supplies, modernize and improve our nation's energy
infrastructure, and improve the reliability of the delivery of energy
from its sources to points of use. Executive Order 13212 encourages
increased production and transmission of energy in a safe and
environmentally sound manner. According to Executive Order 13212, for
energy related projects, agencies shall expedite their review of
permits or take other actions as necessary to accelerate the completion
of such projects. The agencies shall take such actions to the extent
permitted by law and regulations, and where appropriate. Based on the
1987 Angeles National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, the
proposed route is within a designated utility corridor. The proposal
complies with the Angeles National Forest Land and Resources Management
Plan, which requires utility companies to upgrade size of transmission
facilties to maximum capacity within existing corridors before new
utility corridors are considered.
Possible Alternatives
Presently, the USDA Forest Service and the CPUC have identified
preliminary action alternatives for consideration in the environmental
analysis. The preliminary action alternatives include two other
alternative routes for the proposed 500-kV transmission line, a
construction alternative to locate all or portions of the proposed
transmission line underground, and an alternative for the types and
number of towers that would be used.
The alternatives currently under consideration (besides the
proposed action) are:
The No-Action Alternative, under which the proposed 500-kV
transmission line would not be constructed and no expansion activities
at the Antelope Substation would occur.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP)
Transmission Line Route Alternative that would construct the 500-kV
transmission line along a 22.8-mile alternative route between the
Antelope and Pardee substations. The route would travel within portions
of the existing LADWP right-of-way, and would traverse the Angeles
National Forest for 14.4 miles.
The Non-National Forest System Land Alternative that would
avoid National Forest lands. This alternative will be developed during
the environmental review process.
The Underground Alternative that would construct all or
portions of the 500-kV transmission line underground along the proposed
project route.
The Tower, Conductor, and Voltage Alternative that would
use single-circuit, 500-kV towers along the entire project route in
place of the double-circuit, 500-kV towers that have been proposed
along portions of the route.
The final alternatives analyzed in detail will depend on the issues
raised during public scoping and further investigation of the
feasibility of alternatives.
Lead and Cooperating Agencies
The USDA Forest Service and the CPUC will be joint lead agencies in
accordance with 40 CFR 1501.5(b), and are responsible for the
preparation of the EIS/EIR. The Forest Service will serve as the lead
agency under NEPA. The CPUC will serve as the lead agency under CEQA.
Scoping will determine if additional cooperating agencies are
needed.
Responsible Official
The Forest Service responsible official for the preparation of the
EIS/EIR is Jody Noiron, Forest Supervisor, Angeles National Forest, 701
N. Santa Anita Avenue, Arcadia, CA 91006.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The Forest Supervisor for the Angeles National Forest will decide
whether or not to have Southern California Edison remove the 66-kV line
(along with the ancillary improvements) and authorize a 50-year term
Special Use Easement for a 13-mile, 160-foot wide right-of-way for
contruction, use, and maintenance of a 500-kV line along that same
transmission line route (or alternate route). The authorization will
include ancillary improvements on National Forest System lands needed
to maintain this system (e.g., towers, roads, communication equipment).
If this alternative is approved, the Forest Supervisor will also decide
what mitigation measures and monitoring will be required. The Forest
Supervisor will only make a decision regarding impacts on National
Forest System lands. The Forest Supervisor will not have a decision to
make if the CPUC selects an alternative for the Antelope-Pardee 500-kV
Transmission Project that does not involve National Forest System
lands.
Scoping Process
Public participation will be especially important at several stages
during the analysis. The lead agencies will be seeking information,
comments, and assistance from Federal, State, local agencies, and other
individuals and organizations that may be interested in or affected by
the proposed project. This input will be used in preparation of the
draft EIS/EIR. The scoping process includes:
Inviting the participation of affected Federal, State, and
local agencies, and affected Native American tribes, the proponent of
the action and other interested persons.
Determining the scope and the significant issues to be
analyzed in depth in the EIS.
Identifying and eliminating from detailed study the issues
that are not significant or that have been covered by prior
environmental review.
Indicating any public environmental assessments and other
EISs that are being or will be prepared that are related to but are not
part of the scope of this impact statement.
Identifying potential environmental effects of the
alternatives identified to date. Two scoping meetings are proposed to
provide information about the proposed project to the public and to
allow people to comment on the proposed project. The scoping meetings
will be held on the following dates, locations and times: Desert Inn
Hotel, June 29, 2005, 6:30 p.m., 44219 Sierra Highway, Lancaster, CA
93534; Santa Clarita Activity Center, July 14, 2005, 6:30 p.m., 20880
Centre Point Parkway, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Preliminary Issues
A number of potential impacts were identified in the Proponent's
Environmental Assessment Antelope Transmission Project, Segment 1
issued by Southern California Edison on December 9, 2004. The following
preliminary issues were identified in this report related to the
proposed project: Visual impacts; air quality impacts; impacts to
biological, cultural, and geological resources; impacts resulting from
hazards and hazardous materials; impacts to hydrology and water
quality; land use and noise impacts; impacts to public services and
utilities; recreation impacts; and
[[Page 37083]]
impacts to traffic and transportation. Other issues identified are
impacts to future forest management projects (e.g., fuel hazard
reduction projects and fire fighting strategies), Electric and Magnetic
Fields and Health Effects, and impacts from noxious weeds.
Permits or Licenses Required
A 50-year term Special Use Easement for the construction,
maintenance, and use of the 500-kV transmission line would be
authorized to Southern California Edison by the Regional Director of
Natural Resource Management of the Forest Service, and a Certificate of
Public Convenience and Necessity would be issued by the California
Public Utility Commission as part of this decision. Additional permits
that may be required of Southern California Edison to construct the
proposed project could include: A Permit to Operate issued by the South
Coast Air Quality Management District, a National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System General Construction Permit issued by California's
Regional Water Quality Control Board, a Section 404 Permit (per Section
404 of the Clean Water Act) issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
and a Streambed Alteration Agreement ( per Section 1601 of the
California Fish and Game Code) issued by the California Department of
Fish and Game.
Comment Requested
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process that guides the
development of the EIS/EIR. The Forest Service is seeking public and
agency comment on the proposed project to identify major issues to be
analyzed in depth and assistance in identifying potential alternatives
to be evaluated. Comments received to this notice, including the names
and addresses of those who comment, will be considered as part of the
public record on this proposed project, and will be available for
public inspection. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and
considered; however, those who submit anonymous comments will not have
standing to appeal the subsequent decision under 36 CFR Part 215.
Additionally, pursuant to 7 CFR 1.27(d), any person may request the
agency to withhold a submission from the public record by showing how
the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) permits such confidentiality.
Persons requesting such confidentiality should be aware that, under the
FOIA, confidentiality may be granted in only very limited
circumstances, such as to protect trade secrets. The Forest Service
will inform the requester of the agency's decision regarding the
request for confidentiality. Where the request is denied, the agency
will return the submission and notify the requester that the comments
may be resubmitted, without names and addresses, within a specified
number of days.
Early Notice of Importance of Public Participation in Subsequent
Environmental Review
A draft EIS/EIR will be prepared for comment. The comment period on
the draft EIS/EIR will be 45 days from the date the Environmental
Protection Agency publishes the notice of availability in the Federal
Register.
The Forest Service believes, at this early stage, that it is
important to give reviewers notice of several court rulings related to
public participation in the environmental review process. First,
reviewers of draft EISs must structure their participation in the
environmental review of the proposal so that it is meaningful and
alerts an agency to the reviewer's position and contentions. Vermont
Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 553 (1978). Also,
environmental objections that could be raised at the draft
environmental EIS stage but that are not raised until after completion
of the final EIS may be waived or dismissed by the courts. City of
Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 1016, 1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin
Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980).
Because of these court rulings, it is very important that those
interested in this proposed action participate by the close of the 45-
day comment period so that substantive comments and objections are made
available to the Forest Service at a time when it can meaningfully
consider them and respond to them in the final EIS/EIR.
To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues
and concerns on the proposed project, comments on the draft EIS/EIR
should be as specific as possible. It is also helpful if comments refer
to specific pages or chapters of the draft statement. Comments may also
address the adequacy of the draft EIS/EIR or the merits of the
alternatives formulated and discussed in the statement. Reviewers may
wish to refer to the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for
implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA at 40 CFR 1503.3 in
addressing these points.
(Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22; Forest Service Handbook
1909.15, Section 21)
Dated: June 22, 2005.
Susan R. Swinson,
Acting Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 05-12691 Filed 6-27-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P
