Big Stone II Power Plant and Transmission Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DOE/EIS-0377), 29617-29619 [06-4752]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 99 / Tuesday, May 23, 2006 / Notices Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2), these matters constitute classified information that is specifically authorized by Executive Order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense and are, in fact, properly classified pursuant to such Executive Order. Accordingly, the Secretary of the Navy has determined in writing that the public interest requires that all sessions of the meeting be closed to the public because they will be concerned with matters listed in section 552b(c)(1) of title 5, United States Code. Dated: May 17, 2006. Saundra K. Melancon, Paralegal Specialist, Office of the Judge Advocate General, Alternate Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. E6–7827 Filed 5–22–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3810–FF–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Environmental Management SiteSpecific Advisory Board, Oak Ridge Reservation Issued at Washington, DC on May 17, 2006. Carol Matthews, Acting Advisory Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. E6–7813 Filed 5–22–06; 8:45 am] Department of Energy. Notice of open meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: This notice announces a meeting of the Environmental Management Site-Specific Advisory Board (EM SSAB), Oak Ridge Reservation. The Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92–463, 86 Stat. 770) requires that public notice of this meeting be announced in the Federal Register. SUMMARY: DATES: DOE Information Center, 475 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, Tennessee. rmajette on PROD1PC67 with NOTICES Pat Halsey, Federal Coordinator, Department of Energy Oak Ridge Operations Office, P.O. Box 2001, EM– 90, Oak Ridge, TN 37831. Phone (865) 576–4025; Fax (865) 576–5333 or e-mail: halseypj@oro.doe.gov or check the Web site at https://www.oakridge.doe.gov/em/ ssab. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Purpose of the Board: The purpose of the Board is to make recommendations to DOE in the areas of environmental restoration, waste management, and related activities. Tentative Agenda: Melton Valley Update. Public Participation: The meeting is open to the public. Written statements may be filed with the Board either before or after the meeting. Individuals 15:14 May 22, 2006 Jkt 208001 DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Federal Energy Management Advisory Committee Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. ACTION: Notice of open meeting. ADDRESSES: VerDate Aug<31>2005 BILLING CODE 6450–01–P AGENCY: Wednesday, June 14, 2006, 6 p.m. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: who wish to make oral statements pertaining to the agenda item should contact Pat Halsey at the address or telephone number listed above. Requests must be received five days prior to the meeting and reasonable provision will be made to include the presentation in the agenda. The Deputy Designated Federal Officer is empowered to conduct the meeting in a fashion that will facilitate the orderly conduct of business. Individuals wishing to make public comment will be provided a maximum of five minutes to present their comments. Minutes: Minutes of this meeting will be available for public review and copying at the Department of Energy’s Information Center at 475 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or by writing to Pat Halsey, Department of Energy Oak Ridge Operations Office, P.O. Box 2001, EM– 90, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, or by calling her at (865) 576–4025. SUMMARY: This notice announces an open meeting of the Federal Energy Management Advisory Committee (FEMAC). The Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92–463, 86 Stat. 770) requires that these meetings be announced in the Federal Register to allow for public participation. This notice announces the eleventh FEMAC public meeting, an advisory committee established under Executive Order 13123—‘‘Greening the Government through Efficient Energy Management.’’ DATES: June 7, 2006, 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. ADDRESSES: The Hotel Washington, 15th and Pennsylvania Avenue, [Please follow signs in the hotel for room number] Washington, DC 20004. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick Klimkos, Designated Federal Officer, Office of Federal Energy Management PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 29617 Programs, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585; (202) 586–8287. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Purpose of the Meeting: To seek input and feedback from interested parties on working group recommendations to meet mandated Federal energy management goals. Tentative Agenda: Agenda will include discussions on the following topics: Æ Update on FEMAC working group activities. Æ Discussion on FEMAC priorities. Æ Open public discussion. Public Participation: In keeping with procedures, members of the public are welcome to observe the business of the Federal Energy Management Advisory Committee. If you would like to file a written statement with the committee, you may do so either before or after the meeting. If you would like to make oral statements regarding any of these items on the agenda, you should contact Rick Klimkos at (202) 586–8287 or rick.klimkos@ee.doe.gov (e-mail). You must make your request for an oral statement at least 5 business days before the meeting. Members of the public will be heard in the order in which they sign up at the beginning of the meeting. Reasonable provision will be made to include the scheduled oral statements on the agenda. The chair of the committee will make every effort to hear the views of all interested parties. The chair will conduct the meeting to facilitate the orderly conduct of business. Minutes: The minutes of the meeting will be available for public review and copying within 60 days at the Freedom of Information Public Reading Room; Room 1E–190; Forrestal Building; 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Issued at Washington, DC on May 17, 2006. Carol Matthews, Acting Advisory Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. E6–7814 Filed 5–22–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Western Area Power Administration Big Stone II Power Plant and Transmission Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DOE/ EIS–0377) Western Area Power Administration, DOE. AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\23MYN1.SGM 23MYN1 29618 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 99 / Tuesday, May 23, 2006 / Notices 962–7263 or 7269, e-mail BigstoneEIS@wapa.gov, or telephone her at (800) 336–7288. SUMMARY: The Western Area Power For general information on DOE’s Administration (Western), U.S. NEPA review process, please contact: Department of Energy (DOE), Upper Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of Great Plains Customer Service Region, NEPA Policy and Compliance, EH–42, and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and DC 20585, (202) 586–4600 or (800) 472– U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), 2756. U.S. Department of Defense, as SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Otter Tail cooperating agencies, announce the Corporation (dba Otter Tail Power availability of the Draft Big Stone II Company (OTP)), Central Minnesota Power Plant and Transmission Project Municipal Power Agency, Great River (Project) Environmental Impact Energy (GRE), Heartland Consumers Statement (EIS) for public review and Power District (HCPD), Montana-Dakota comment. The draft EIS addresses the Utilities Co., Southern Minnesota environmental impacts of constructing Municipal Power Agency and Western and operating the proposed Project. The Minnesota Municipal Power Agency National Environmental Policy Act (dba Missouri River Energy Services (NEPA) requires Western to make the (MRES)) (collectively referred to as the Draft EIS available to interested project co-owners) propose to construct members of the public, groups, and and operate the Big Stone II 600Federal, state, local, and tribal agencies megawatt (MW) (net) coal-fired power for review and comment to assure they plant and ancillary equipment and have an opportunity to provide input to facilities in eastern South Dakota and up the Federal decision making process. to 129 miles of new or upgraded Comments on the Draft EIS may be transmission lines and substation provided in writing or at one of three modifications in South Dakota and hearings scheduled during the review Minnesota. the proposed plant would be period. built in response to growing base-load DATES: Western invites the public to energy needs of the co-owners. comment on the Draft EIS during the 45The proposed Big Stone II plant day public review and comment period, would be located adjacent to the which begins on May 19 and ends on existing Big Stone plant about 8 miles July 3, 2006. Western will hold public northeast of Milbank and 2 miles hearings on: northwest of Big Stone City in Grant 1. June 13, 2006, 7 p.m., Big Stone County, South Dakota. The existing Big City, SD. Stone plant site was one of 38 sites 2. June 14, 2006, 7 p.m., Morris, MN. identified by the co-owners as potential 3. June 15, 2006, 7 p.m., Granite Falls, locations for the new power plant MN. within South Dakota, North Dakota, and 4. June 16, 2006, 7 p.m., Benson, MN. Minnesota. Based on independent ADDRESSES: The hearings will be held at: analyses of the co-owners siting studies, 1. BIG Stone City American Legion, Western determined that the Big Stone Highway 12 West, Big Stone City, SD. site was the only reasonable alternative 2. Best Western/Prairie Inn, 200 for the proposed plant that meets the coHighway 28 East, Morris, MN. owners’ needs and objectives to provide 3. Minnesota West Community and reliable, cost-effective base-load energy Technical College, Granite Falls, MN. to the co-owner utilities. 4. Benson Golf Course, 2222 Atlantic Existing infrastructure, such as the Avenue, Benson, MN. cooling water intake structure, pumping Written comments on the Draft EIS system and delivery pipelines, coal should be mailed, faxed, or e-mailed to: delivery and handling facilities, solid Ms. Nancy Werdel, NEPA Document waste disposal facilities, and water Manager, Big Stone II EIS, A7400, storage ponds would be used for the Western Area Power Administration, proposed Big Stone II plant. The P.O. Box 281213, Lakewood, CO 80228– existing rail and road facilities would be 8213, fax (720) 962–7263 or 7269, e-mail used to access the property and plant BigStoneEIS@wapa.gov,. site. New construction would include the proposed plant, cooling tower FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For blowdown pond, cooling tower, and further information or to request a copy make-up water storage pond. The or summary of the Draft EIS, please proposed Big Stone II plan would use write Ms. Nancy Werdel, NEPA pulverized coal-fired, super-critical Document Manager, Big Stone II EIS, boiler technology and would burn lowA7400, Western Area Power sulfur, Power River Basin coal. The Administration, P.O. Box 281213, proposed plant would include a new Lakewood, CO 80228–8213, fax (720) Notice of availability and public hearings. rmajette on PROD1PC67 with NOTICES ACTION: VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:14 May 22, 2006 Jkt 208001 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Wet Flue Gas Desulfurization system to control air emissions from both the proposed Big Stone II plant and the existing Big Stone plant. Substation modifications and associated transmission lines would also be constructed in South Dakota and Minnesota and interconnect to the southwestern Minnesota utility grid as part of the proposed Big Stone II Project. Two transmission alternatives have been identified. Alternative A would require construction and operation of a 230-kilovolt (kV) transmission line from Big Stone to Western’s substation near Morris, Minnesota (Corridor A) and a 230–kV transmission line from Big Stone to Western’s substation at Granite Falls, Minnesota (Corridors C or C1). Alternative B would require construction and operation of a 230–kV transmission line from Big Stone to a substation jointly owned by Willmar Municipal Utilities, Xcel Energy, and GRE at Willmar, Minnesota (Corridors B or B1), and a 230–kV transmission lime from Big Stone to Western’s Granite Falls Substation (Corridors C or C1). Under both Alternative A and Alternative B, a portion of the transmission line in Corridor C or C1 from Big Stone Substation to Granite Falls Substation would be designed and constructed at 345–kV but operated at 230–kV. These alternatives would require modifications of existing transmission lines and/or construction of new transmission lines. Existing substations would require modification or reconstruction to accept the interconnections to transfer the power from the proposed Big Stone II plant to the transmission system. Substations that would require modification include Morris Substation and the Johnson Junction Switching Station in Corridor A; Willmar Substation in Corridor B and B1; and Canby and Granite Falls substations in Corridor C and C1; and Big Stone Substation, which is adjacent to the existing Big Stone plant. Specific equipment modifications will be determined based on systems studies and final design. Other system modification may be required based on the outcome of final system studies expected in late spring 2006, and would be included in the Final EIS if impacts differed from those addressed in this document. The Draft EIS evaluates the environmental impacts of the proposed Big Stone II plant, the transmission alternatives and the substation modifications on air quality, water resources (ground water, floodplains, surface water), geology, minerals, paleontological resources, soils E:\FR\FM\23MYN1.SGM 23MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 99 / Tuesday, May 23, 2006 / Notices biological resources (vegetation, wildlife, fisheries, special status species, wetland/riparian areas), cultural resources, Native American concerns, land use (land use planning, public facilities, recreation, agricultural practices and prime and unique farmland), infrastructure, public health, waste management, visual resources, noise, social and economic values, environmental justice, and cumulative impacts. Additionally, the RUS must grant or deny a loan to GRE to finance its portion of the proposed Project. Also, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) must consider issuing a permit under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act to the co-owners to construct the proposed Project within or across navigable waters and waters of the United States. Therefore, RUS and USACE are cooperating agencies on the EIS. Western maintains a mailing list of those interested in the Big Stone II Project EIS. Copies of the complete Draft EIS or the Executive Summary have been distributed to all persons any groups on the mailing list that requested a copy. A distribution has been made to various libraries in the project are. Oral comments on the Draft EIS will be accepted only during the public hearings scheduled for the dates and locations provided above. Those wishing to make oral comments may do so at the scheduled public hearings. Speakers will be asked to register at the door prior to the beginning of the hearing. Speakers are encouraged to provide a written version of their oral comments for the record. Each speaker will be allowed 5 minutes to present comments unless more time is requested and available. Comments will be recorded by a court reporter at each hearing and will become part of the public hearing record. Western will conduct open house information sessions 2 hours prior to each public hearing to field questions and provide information to the public. Copies of the Draft EIS are available for public review at the offices and public libraries listed below: rmajette on PROD1PC67 with NOTICES Public Libraries Ortonville Public Library, 412 Second Street Northwest, Ortonville, Minnesota. Morris Public Library, 102 East 6th Street, Morris, Minnesota. Granite Falls Public Library, 155 7th Avenue, Granite Falls, Minnesota. Appleton Public Library, 322 W. Schlieman Avenue, Appleton, Minnesota. VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:14 May 22, 2006 Jkt 208001 Canby Public Library, 110 Oscar avenue North, Canby, Minnesota. Willmar Public Library, 410 5th Street Southwest, Willmar, Minnesota. Kerkhoven Public Library, 208 10th Street North, Kerkhoven, Minnesota. Benson Public Library, 200 13th Street South, Benson, Minnesota. Grant Public Library, 207 Park Avenue East, Milbank, South Dakota. Watertown Regional Library, 611 Bruhn Avenue, NE., Watertown, South Dakota. The Draft EIS is also available at DOE Reading Rooms at the following addresses: U.S. Department of Energy, Forrestal Building, Reading Room 1E190, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585; Western Area Power Administration, Corporate Services Office, 12155 West Alameda Parkway, Lakewood, Colorado 80228; and Western Area Power Administration, Upper Great Plains Customer Service Region, South Dakota Maintenance Office, 200 4th Street, SW., Huron, South Dakota 57350. MRES (Applicant), on behalf of the big Stone II Project co-owners has applied to Western to interconnect the proposed Project to Western’s power transmission system. Additionally, MRES and HCPD have requested transmission service contract modifications to deliver power from the proposed Big Stone II plant to their service territories on Western’s transmission system. Western must consider allowing the applicant an interconnection to Western’s transmission system at the Morris and Granite Falls substations, including required modifications to these substations and other Western facilities, and decide to modify transmission service contracts with MRES and HCPD. The RUS must consider providing a loan to GRE to finance its portion of the proposed Project. The USACE must consider issuing a permit for Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act to the co-owners for construction of the proposed Project within or across navigable waters and waters of the United States. Western will consider all written comments postmarked or received during the public comment period in preparing the Final EIS. Decisions by each of the involved Federal agencies will be made after considering comments on the Draft and Final EIS. The decisions to be made by Western, RUS, and USACE regarding the proposed Big Stone II Power Plant and Transmission project will be issued following the Final EIS in the form of PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 29619 separate records of decision for each agency. Dated: May 9, 2006. Michael S. Hacskaylo, Administrator. [FR Doc. 06–4752 Filed 5–22–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-M ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–OW–2006–0369; FRL–8173–2] Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; National Estuary Program; EPA ICR No. 1500.06; OMB Control No. 2040–0138 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document announces that EPA is planning to submit a request to renew an existing approved Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This ICR is scheduled to expire on November 30, 2006. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described below. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before July 24, 2006. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– OW–2006–0369 by one of the following methods: • https://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. • E-mail: OW-Docket@epa.gov. • Mail: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), Water Docket—Mail Code 4101T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20460. • Hand delivery: Office of Water Docket, Environmental Protection Agency, Public Reading Room, Room B102, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20004. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket’s normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OW–2006– 0369. EPA’s policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available online at https:// E:\FR\FM\23MYN1.SGM 23MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 23, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29617-29619]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4752]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Western Area Power Administration


Big Stone II Power Plant and Transmission Project Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (DOE/EIS-0377)

AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.

[[Page 29618]]


ACTION: Notice of availability and public hearings.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Western Area Power Administration (Western), U.S. 
Department of Energy (DOE), Upper Great Plains Customer Service Region, 
and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), U.S. Department of Defense, 
as cooperating agencies, announce the availability of the Draft Big 
Stone II Power Plant and Transmission Project (Project) Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) for public review and comment. The draft EIS 
addresses the environmental impacts of constructing and operating the 
proposed Project. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires 
Western to make the Draft EIS available to interested members of the 
public, groups, and Federal, state, local, and tribal agencies for 
review and comment to assure they have an opportunity to provide input 
to the Federal decision making process. Comments on the Draft EIS may 
be provided in writing or at one of three hearings scheduled during the 
review period.

DATES: Western invites the public to comment on the Draft EIS during 
the 45-day public review and comment period, which begins on May 19 and 
ends on July 3, 2006. Western will hold public hearings on:
    1. June 13, 2006, 7 p.m., Big Stone City, SD.
    2. June 14, 2006, 7 p.m., Morris, MN.
    3. June 15, 2006, 7 p.m., Granite Falls, MN.
    4. June 16, 2006, 7 p.m., Benson, MN.

ADDRESSES: The hearings will be held at:
    1. BIG Stone City American Legion, Highway 12 West, Big Stone City, 
SD.
    2. Best Western/Prairie Inn, 200 Highway 28 East, Morris, MN.
    3. Minnesota West Community and Technical College, Granite Falls, 
MN.
    4. Benson Golf Course, 2222 Atlantic Avenue, Benson, MN.
    Written comments on the Draft EIS should be mailed, faxed, or e-
mailed to: Ms. Nancy Werdel, NEPA Document Manager, Big Stone II EIS, 
A7400, Western Area Power Administration, P.O. Box 281213, Lakewood, CO 
80228-8213, fax (720) 962-7263 or 7269, e-mail BigStoneEIS@wapa.gov,.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information or to request 
a copy or summary of the Draft EIS, please write Ms. Nancy Werdel, NEPA 
Document Manager, Big Stone II EIS, A7400, Western Area Power 
Administration, P.O. Box 281213, Lakewood, CO 80228-8213, fax (720) 
962-7263 or 7269, e-mail BigstoneEIS@wapa.gov, or telephone her at 
(800) 336-7288.
    For general information on DOE's NEPA review process, please 
contact: Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Policy and 
Compliance, EH-42, U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, DC 20585, 
(202) 586-4600 or (800) 472-2756.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Otter Tail Corporation (dba Otter Tail Power 
Company (OTP)), Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, Great River 
Energy (GRE), Heartland Consumers Power District (HCPD), Montana-Dakota 
Utilities Co., Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency and Western 
Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (dba Missouri River Energy Services 
(MRES)) (collectively referred to as the project co-owners) propose to 
construct and operate the Big Stone II 600-megawatt (MW) (net) coal-
fired power plant and ancillary equipment and facilities in eastern 
South Dakota and up to 129 miles of new or upgraded transmission lines 
and substation modifications in South Dakota and Minnesota. the 
proposed plant would be built in response to growing base-load energy 
needs of the co-owners.
    The proposed Big Stone II plant would be located adjacent to the 
existing Big Stone plant about 8 miles northeast of Milbank and 2 miles 
northwest of Big Stone City in Grant County, South Dakota. The existing 
Big Stone plant site was one of 38 sites identified by the co-owners as 
potential locations for the new power plant within South Dakota, North 
Dakota, and Minnesota. Based on independent analyses of the co-owners 
siting studies, Western determined that the Big Stone site was the only 
reasonable alternative for the proposed plant that meets the co-owners' 
needs and objectives to provide reliable, cost-effective base-load 
energy to the co-owner utilities.
    Existing infrastructure, such as the cooling water intake 
structure, pumping system and delivery pipelines, coal delivery and 
handling facilities, solid waste disposal facilities, and water storage 
ponds would be used for the proposed Big Stone II plant. The existing 
rail and road facilities would be used to access the property and plant 
site. New construction would include the proposed plant, cooling tower 
blowdown pond, cooling tower, and make-up water storage pond. The 
proposed Big Stone II plan would use pulverized coal-fired, super-
critical boiler technology and would burn low-sulfur, Power River Basin 
coal. The proposed plant would include a new Wet Flue Gas 
Desulfurization system to control air emissions from both the proposed 
Big Stone II plant and the existing Big Stone plant.
    Substation modifications and associated transmission lines would 
also be constructed in South Dakota and Minnesota and interconnect to 
the southwestern Minnesota utility grid as part of the proposed Big 
Stone II Project. Two transmission alternatives have been identified. 
Alternative A would require construction and operation of a 230-
kilovolt (kV) transmission line from Big Stone to Western's substation 
near Morris, Minnesota (Corridor A) and a 230-kV transmission line from 
Big Stone to Western's substation at Granite Falls, Minnesota 
(Corridors C or C1). Alternative B would require construction and 
operation of a 230-kV transmission line from Big Stone to a substation 
jointly owned by Willmar Municipal Utilities, Xcel Energy, and GRE at 
Willmar, Minnesota (Corridors B or B1), and a 230-kV transmission lime 
from Big Stone to Western's Granite Falls Substation (Corridors C or 
C1). Under both Alternative A and Alternative B, a portion of the 
transmission line in Corridor C or C1 from Big Stone Substation to 
Granite Falls Substation would be designed and constructed at 345-kV 
but operated at 230-kV. These alternatives would require modifications 
of existing transmission lines and/or construction of new transmission 
lines.
    Existing substations would require modification or reconstruction 
to accept the interconnections to transfer the power from the proposed 
Big Stone II plant to the transmission system. Substations that would 
require modification include Morris Substation and the Johnson Junction 
Switching Station in Corridor A; Willmar Substation in Corridor B and 
B1; and Canby and Granite Falls substations in Corridor C and C1; and 
Big Stone Substation, which is adjacent to the existing Big Stone 
plant. Specific equipment modifications will be determined based on 
systems studies and final design. Other system modification may be 
required based on the outcome of final system studies expected in late 
spring 2006, and would be included in the Final EIS if impacts differed 
from those addressed in this document.
    The Draft EIS evaluates the environmental impacts of the proposed 
Big Stone II plant, the transmission alternatives and the substation 
modifications on air quality, water resources (ground water, 
floodplains, surface water), geology, minerals, paleontological 
resources, soils

[[Page 29619]]

biological resources (vegetation, wildlife, fisheries, special status 
species, wetland/riparian areas), cultural resources, Native American 
concerns, land use (land use planning, public facilities, recreation, 
agricultural practices and prime and unique farmland), infrastructure, 
public health, waste management, visual resources, noise, social and 
economic values, environmental justice, and cumulative impacts.
    Additionally, the RUS must grant or deny a loan to GRE to finance 
its portion of the proposed Project. Also, the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers (USACE) must consider issuing a permit under Section 10 of 
the Rivers and Harbors Act and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act to 
the co-owners to construct the proposed Project within or across 
navigable waters and waters of the United States. Therefore, RUS and 
USACE are cooperating agencies on the EIS.
    Western maintains a mailing list of those interested in the Big 
Stone II Project EIS. Copies of the complete Draft EIS or the Executive 
Summary have been distributed to all persons any groups on the mailing 
list that requested a copy. A distribution has been made to various 
libraries in the project are.
    Oral comments on the Draft EIS will be accepted only during the 
public hearings scheduled for the dates and locations provided above. 
Those wishing to make oral comments may do so at the scheduled public 
hearings. Speakers will be asked to register at the door prior to the 
beginning of the hearing. Speakers are encouraged to provide a written 
version of their oral comments for the record. Each speaker will be 
allowed 5 minutes to present comments unless more time is requested and 
available. Comments will be recorded by a court reporter at each 
hearing and will become part of the public hearing record. Western will 
conduct open house information sessions 2 hours prior to each public 
hearing to field questions and provide information to the public.
    Copies of the Draft EIS are available for public review at the 
offices and public libraries listed below:

Public Libraries

Ortonville Public Library, 412 Second Street Northwest, Ortonville, 
Minnesota.
Morris Public Library, 102 East 6th Street, Morris, Minnesota.
Granite Falls Public Library, 155 7th Avenue, Granite Falls, Minnesota.
Appleton Public Library, 322 W. Schlieman Avenue, Appleton, Minnesota.
Canby Public Library, 110 Oscar avenue North, Canby, Minnesota.
Willmar Public Library, 410 5th Street Southwest, Willmar, Minnesota.
Kerkhoven Public Library, 208 10th Street North, Kerkhoven, Minnesota.
Benson Public Library, 200 13th Street South, Benson, Minnesota.
Grant Public Library, 207 Park Avenue East, Milbank, South Dakota.
Watertown Regional Library, 611 Bruhn Avenue, NE., Watertown, South 
Dakota.

    The Draft EIS is also available at DOE Reading Rooms at the 
following addresses: U.S. Department of Energy, Forrestal Building, 
Reading Room 1E-190, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20585; Western Area Power Administration, Corporate Services Office, 
12155 West Alameda Parkway, Lakewood, Colorado 80228; and Western Area 
Power Administration, Upper Great Plains Customer Service Region, South 
Dakota Maintenance Office, 200 4th Street, SW., Huron, South Dakota 
57350.
    MRES (Applicant), on behalf of the big Stone II Project co-owners 
has applied to Western to interconnect the proposed Project to 
Western's power transmission system. Additionally, MRES and HCPD have 
requested transmission service contract modifications to deliver power 
from the proposed Big Stone II plant to their service territories on 
Western's transmission system. Western must consider allowing the 
applicant an interconnection to Western's transmission system at the 
Morris and Granite Falls substations, including required modifications 
to these substations and other Western facilities, and decide to modify 
transmission service contracts with MRES and HCPD. The RUS must 
consider providing a loan to GRE to finance its portion of the proposed 
Project. The USACE must consider issuing a permit for Section 10 of the 
Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act 
to the co-owners for construction of the proposed Project within or 
across navigable waters and waters of the United States.
    Western will consider all written comments postmarked or received 
during the public comment period in preparing the Final EIS. Decisions 
by each of the involved Federal agencies will be made after considering 
comments on the Draft and Final EIS. The decisions to be made by 
Western, RUS, and USACE regarding the proposed Big Stone II Power Plant 
and Transmission project will be issued following the Final EIS in the 
form of separate records of decision for each agency.

    Dated: May 9, 2006.
Michael S. Hacskaylo,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 06-4752 Filed 5-22-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-M

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.