Angeles National Forest, California, Antelope-Pardee 500-kV Transmission Project, 37080-37083 [05-12691]

Download as PDF 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 Between the close of the previous comment period and the publication of this notice, Ventria Bioscience has withdrawn its application to conduct a field test in Scott County, MO.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]


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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.

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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

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