Granby Pumping Plant-Windy Gap Transmission Line Rebuild Project, Grand County, CO, 45040-45042 [E7-15666]
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sroberts on PROD1PC70 with PROPOSALS
45040
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 154 / Friday, August 10, 2007 / Notices
g. Filed Pursuant to: 18 CFR 4.200.
h. Applicant Contact: David Lovely,
Hydro Supervisor, Madison Paper
Industries, P.O. Box 129, 3 Main Street,
Madison, Maine 04950–0129, (207) 696–
1225.
i. FERC Contact: Robert Bell, (202)
502–6062.
j. Deadline for filing comments,
motions to intervene and protest:
August 20, 2007.
Please include the project number (P–
2365–040) on any comments or motions
filed. All documents (original and seven
copies) should be filed with: Kimberly
D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 888 First
Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426.
Comments, protests, and interventions
may be filed electronically via the
Internet in lieu of paper, see 18 CFR
385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions
on the Commission’s web site under the
‘‘e-filing’’ link. The Commission
strongly encourages electronic filings.
Please include the project number (P–
2365–040) on any comments or motions
filed.
The Commission’s Rules of Practice
and Procedure require all intervenors
filing documents with the Commission
to serve a copy of that document on
each person in the official service list
for the project. Further, if an intervenor
files comments or documents with the
Commission relating to the merits of an
issue that may affect the responsibilities
of a particular resource agency, they
must also serve a copy of the document
on that resource agency. A copy of any
motion to intervene must also be served
upon each representative of the
Applicant specified in the particular
application.
k. Description of Request: The license
request approval to temporarily modify
the operation of the project by lowering
the water level in the project forebay to
allow repair of the western forebay wall.
This maintenance work will consist of
refacing the existing wall through the
placement of forms and pouring
concrete. In order to expose the area to
be repaired such that the majority of the
work will occur above the waterline,
MPI proposes to temporarily lower the
water lever of the forebay and headpond
by approximately 2.5 feet from normal
pond level of 248.15, at the top of the
inflatable flashboards. The licensee
proposes to gradually lower the forebay
from its normal full pool elevation and
to maintain the reduced water level via
operation of the powerhouse turbines
and deflating the inflatable flashboards
and waste gate. The required minimum
downstream flow (1,540 cfs or inflow,
whichever is less) in the Anson tailrace
will be maintained during this
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drawdown period via the turbines and
flashboards/waste gate as well. The
licensee anticipates a need to maintain
this lowered elevation for intermittent
periods of time for up to two months
beginning on or about August 6, 2007
while the work is being accomplished.
If there is sufficient inflow to the
project, the licensee proposed to raise
the pond level to the normal operating
elevation on weekends and other
periods when the Contractor is not
working. Once the repair work, along
the wall progresses above the lower
elevation the pond level will be
returned to the normal operating level.
The licensee proposes to maintain
minimum downstream flows while
refilling the project forebay by gradually
filling the pond through maintaining a
higher inflow than outflow, until the
pond level is returned to normal.
l. Locations of the Application: Copies
of this filing are on file with the
Commission and are available for public
inspection and reproduction at the
Commission’s Public Reference Room,
located at 888 First St., NE., Room 2A,
Washington, DC 20426. This filing may
be viewed on the Commission’s Web
site at https://www.ferc.gov using the
‘‘eLibrary’’ link. Enter the docket
number excluding the last three digits in
the docket number field to access the
document. You may also register online
at https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/
esubscription.asp to be notified via
email of new filings and issuances
related to this or other pending projects.
For assistance, call 1–866–208–3676 or
e-mail FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or
for TTY (202) 502–8659. A copy is also
available for inspection and
reproduction at the address in item (h)
above.
m. Individuals desiring to be included
on the Commission’s mailing list should
so indicate by writing to the Secretary
of the Commission.
n. Comments, Protests, or Motions to
Intervene: (Anyone may submit
comments, a protest or a motion to
intervene in accordance with the
requirements of Rules of Practice and
Procedure, 18 CFR 385.210. 385.211,
and 385.214. In determining the
appropriate action to take, the
Commission will consider all protests
filed, but only those who file a motion
to intervene in accordance with the
Commission’s Rules may become a
party to the proceeding. Any protests or
motions to intervene must be received
on or before the specified deadline date
for the particular application.
o. Any filings must bear in all capital
letters the title ‘‘Comments’’, ‘‘Protest’’,
or ‘‘Motion to Intervene’’, as applicable,
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and the Project Number of the particular
application to which the filing refers.
p. Agency Comments: Federal, state,
and local agencies are invited to file
comments on the described application.
A copy of the application may be
obtained by agencies directly from the
Applicant. If an agency does not file
comments within the time specified for
filing comments, it will be presumed to
have no comments. One copy of an
agency’s comments must also be sent to
the Applicant’s representatives.
q. Comments, protests, and
interventions may be filed electronically
via the Internet in lieu of paper. See, 18
CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the
instructions on the Commission’s Web
site at https://www.ferc.gov under the
‘‘e-filing’’ link.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E7–15645 Filed 8–9–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Western Area Power Administration
Granby Pumping Plant-Windy Gap
Transmission Line Rebuild Project,
Grand County, CO
Western Area Power
Administration, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
and Conduct Scoping; Notice of
Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Western Area Power
Administration (Western), U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE), intends to
prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) for rebuilding the
Granby Pumping Plant-Windy Gap
transmission line in Grand County,
Colorado. The U.S. Forest Service
(USFS) will participate in the
preparation of the EIS, which will
address the proposed removal of about
12 miles of 69-kilovolt (kV)
transmission line, the construction and
operation of about 12 miles of new 138–
kV double-circuit transmission line
(operated at 69/138–kV), and adding a
second power transformer. Input for the
scope of the EIS may be provided in
writing or at an open-house scoping
meeting in the project area.
DATES: An open-house public scoping
meeting will be held Thursday, August
30, 2007, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in
Granby, Colorado. The public scoping
period starts with the publication of this
notice in the Federal Register and
closes at midnight on September 17,
2007. To be assured of consideration, all
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 154 / Friday, August 10, 2007 / Notices
comments or suggestions regarding the
appropriate scope must be received by
the end of the scoping period.
ADDRESSES: The open-house public
scoping meeting will be held at
Mountain Parks Electric, Inc., 321 West
Agate Avenue, Granby, CO 80446–0170.
Written comments regarding the project
should be addressed to Mr. Rodney
Jones, NEPA Document Manager,
Western Area Power Administration,
Rocky Mountain Region, P.O. Box 3700,
Loveland, CO 80539–3003; fax (970)
461–7213, or e-mail
GPPWGP@wapa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
information about the proposed project,
to be added to the project mailing list,
or to request a copy of the EIS, contact
Mr. Rodney Jones at the address
provided above or at toll-free telephone
(800) 472–2306. For general information
on DOE’s NEPA review procedures or
status of a NEPA review, contact Ms.
Carol M. Borgstrom, Director of NEPA
Policy and Compliance, GC–20, U.S.
Department of Energy, 1000
Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20585, telephone (202)
586–4600 or (800) 472–2756.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Western is
a power marketing agency of DOE that
markets Federal electric power to
statutorily defined customers, including
project use, municipalities, irrigation
districts, and Native American tribes.
Western initially determined that an
Environmental Assessment (EA) would
be prepared for the proposed Granby
Pumping Plant-Windy Gap
Transmission Line Rebuild Project on
February 25, 2005. Western held openhouse scoping meetings on July 28,
2005, and November 15, 2006. The
public expressed numerous concerns
about the impacts of the project. Based
on a review of the public’s concerns,
Western subsequently determined that
an EIS would be prepared.
The EIS will address the
environmental impacts of the proposal
to remove about 12 miles of existing 69–
kV transmission line and the
construction and operation of about 12
miles of new 138–kV double-circuit
transmission line (which would be
operated at 69/138–kV), and adding a
second power transformer. Alternatives,
including the no action alternative, will
also be addressed in the EIS. Western’s
EIS process will comply with NEPA (42
U.S.C. 4321–4347, as amended), Council
on Environmental Quality regulations
for implementing NEPA (40 Code of
Federal Regulations [CFR] parts 1500–
1508) and DOE NEPA implementing
procedures (10 CFR part 1021). Because
the proposed project may involve action
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16:37 Aug 09, 2007
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in floodplains, the EIS will include a
floodplain assessment and floodplain
statement of findings following DOE
regulations for compliance with
floodplain and wetlands environmental
review requirements (10 CFR part 1022).
Description
Western’s Rocky Mountain Region
proposes to rebuild and upgrade the
Granby Pumping Plant-Windy Gap 69–
kV transmission line, between the
Windy Gap Substation and the Granby
Pumping Plant, a distance of
approximately 11.7 miles. The
transmission line, which was
constructed on wood-pole H-frame
structures, is located in Grand County,
Colorado, near the towns of Granby and
Grand Lake. Other participants in the
project include Tri-State Generation and
Transmission, Inc. (Tri-State) and the
Northern Colorado Water Conservancy
District (NCWCD).
Western’s Granby Pumping PlantWindy Gap 69–kV transmission line has
been in operation approximately 65
years. It supplies electrical power to the
Colorado-Big Thompson Project (C–BT)
facilities and electrical substations
operated by Mountain Parks Electric,
Inc. (MPEI), a Tri-State member
operating company.
The area transmission system has also
been served by the Bureau of
Reclamation’s (Reclamation) Adams
Tunnel 69–kV cable for the past 50
years, and the cable is at the end of its
planned service life. The Adams Tunnel
69–kV cable provides Tri-State with a
second power source for MPEI loads. In
1992, Western and Reclamation studied
costs, engineering requirements and
electrical system constraints for
replacing the Adams Tunnel cable in
anticipation of its eventual failure. In
1994, Western and Reclamation decided
not to replace the cable if it fails.
For electrical service reliability, TriState must maintain a second source of
power for MPEI loads. The result of
systems studies by both Western and
Tri-State demonstrated electrical system
reliability improvements when a new
138–kV transmission line was added
between the Windy Gap and Granby
substations.
The NCWCD expressed interest in
extending the 138–kV transmission line
directly to C–BT Project facilities at
Granby Pumping Plant to allow better
voltage support for motor starting at
Granby Pumping Plant.
The proposed project includes the
following actions.
• Remove 10.0 miles of 69–kV circuit:
Windy Gap Substation-Stillwater Tap.
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45041
• Remove 1.7 miles of 69–kV circuit:
Stillwater Tap to Granby-Granby
Pumping Plant Substation.
• Remove three 69–kV line switches
at Granby Tap.
• Construct 10.0 miles of 138-kV
double-circuit transmission line with
overhead fiber optic ground wire
(operated at 69/138–kV): Windy Gap
Substation-Stillwater Tap.
• Construct 1.7 miles of 138–kV
double-circuit transmission line with
overhead fiber optic ground wire
(operated at 69/138–kV): Stillwater TapGranby Pumping Plant Substation.
• Install 69–kV three-way line
switches at new Willow Creek Tap
(replaces Granby Tap).
• Install 69–kV three-way line
switches at Stillwater Tap.
• Construct a new 138/69–kV Granby
Pumping Plant Substation, consisting of
two circuit breakers with 138–kV main
and transfer busses and a 138/69–kV
power transformer.
• Install a new 69–kV circuit breaker
at the existing 69/6.9–kV Granby
Pumping Plant Substation.
• Install a new 138–kV circuit breaker
bay at the Windy Gap Substation.
The right-of-way for the existing
transmission line is generally 30-feet
wide, which is inadequate for new
transmission line construction and
maintenance. Some segments of the
proposed rebuilt and upgraded
transmission line would be constructed
on new rights-of-way on alternative
alignments. Remaining segments of the
transmission line would be constructed
on existing rights-of-way that will be
widened to accommodate construction,
operation, and maintenance.
The proposed substation site for the
new 138/69–kV Granby Pumping Plant
Substation would be approximately 200
feet by 150 feet in area, and located
entirely on Reclamation property.
No Action Alternative
Under the No Action alternative, none
of the proposed facilities would be
constructed, and the existing 69–kV
transmission line would be left in place.
Different transmission projects could be
proposed by other entities to strengthen
the electrical system in the project area.
Agency Responsibilities
Western has determined that an EIS is
required under DOE NEPA
implementing procedures, 10 CFR 1021,
in light of the public’s concerns about
potential impacts of the project. Western
will be the lead Federal agency for
preparing the EIS, as defined in 40 CFR
1501.5. In addition, the USFS has been
designated a cooperating agency.
Western invites interested agencies,
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45042
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 154 / Friday, August 10, 2007 / Notices
Tribes, organizations, and members of
the public to submit comments or
suggestions to assist in identifying
environmental issues and in
determining the appropriate scope of
the EIS. Western will invite other
Federal, State, local, and tribal agencies
with jurisdiction by law or special
expertise, with respect to environmental
issues, to be cooperating agencies on the
EIS, as defined in 40 CFR 1501.6. Such
agencies also may make a request to
Western to be a cooperating agency.
Designated cooperating agencies have
certain responsibilities to support the
NEPA process, as specified in 40 CFR
1501.6(b).
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with PROPOSALS
Environmental Issues
The EIS will address impacts from the
proposed project and a range of
reasonable alternatives that achieve that
same purpose and need. This notice is
to inform agencies and the public of the
proposed project and solicit comments
and suggestions for consideration in
preparing the EIS. To help the public
frame its comments, this notice contains
a list of potential environmental issues
Western has tentatively identified for
analysis. These issues include:
1. Impacts on protected, threatened,
endangered, or sensitive species of
animals or plants or their critical
habitats;
2. Impacts on other biological
resources;
3. Impacts on land use, recreation,
and transportation;
4. Impacts on floodplains and
wetlands;
5. Impacts on cultural or historic
resources and tribal values;
6. Impacts on human health and
safety;
7. Impacts on air, soil, and water
resources (including air quality, surface
water impacts, and groundwater
impacts);
8. Visual impacts; and
9. Socioeconomic impacts and
disproportionately high and adverse
impacts to minority and low-income
populations.
This list is not intended to be allinclusive or to imply any
predetermination of impacts. Western
invites interested parties to suggest
specific issues within these general
categories, or other issues not included
above, to be considered in the EIS.
appropriate Federal, State, local, and
tribal agencies; public review and
hearing on the published Draft EIS; a
published Final EIS; and publication of
a Record of Decision. Western will mail
newsletters to the mailing list developed
for the proposed project to communicate
project status and developments.
Anyone may request to be placed on the
mailing list.
The scoping period will provide
opportunity for interested members of
the public, representatives of groups,
and Federal, State, local, and tribal
agencies to give input on the scope of
alternatives and issues that will be
addressed in the EIS. As part of the
scoping period, Western will hold a
public open-house scoping meeting near
the project area. Interested individuals
and groups are invited to attend anytime
between 4 and 7 p.m., according to the
date and location noted above. The
open-house scoping meeting will be
informal, with Western representatives
available for one-on-one discussions
with attendees. Attendees will have the
opportunity to view maps of the
proposed transmission line route, learn
about the NEPA process and the
proposed schedule, suggest changes and
improvements to the proposed project,
and obtain additional information.
Written comments regarding
environmental issues, alternatives, and
other scoping issues may be turned in
at the scoping meetings or may be
provided to Western by fax, e-mail, U.S.
Postal Service, or other carrier.
Although comments on the proposed
project may be submitted at any time
during the EIS process, to be assured
consideration in helping define the
scope of the EIS, all comments or
suggestions regarding the appropriate
scope must be received by the end of the
scoping period. Comments received by
Western at or as a result of the July 28,
2005, and November 15, 2006, open
houses will be used to help define the
scope of the EIS.
Dated: July 30, 2007.
Timothy J. Meeks,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. E7–15666 Filed 8–9–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
Public Participation
Opportunities for public participation
are planned for the entire EIS process.
Western anticipates the EIS process will
take about 12 months and will include
an open-house public scoping meeting;
consultation and involvement with
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[EPA–HQ–OECA–2006–0775; FRL–8452–8]
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Submission to OMB for
Review and Approval; Comment
Request; NSPS for Stationary Gas
Turbines (Renewal); EPA ICR Number
1071.09, OMB Control Number 2060–
0028
Environmental Protection
Agency.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: In compliance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.
3501 et seq.), this document announces
that an Information Collection Request
(ICR) has been forwarded to the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) for
review and approval. This is a request
to renew an existing approved
collection. The ICR which is abstracted
below describes the nature of the
collection and the estimated burden and
cost.
DATES: Additional comments may be
submitted on or before September 10,
2007.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
referencing docket ID number EPA–HQ–
OECA–2006–0775, to (1) EPA online
using https://www.regulations.gov (our
preferred method), or by e-mail to
docket.oeca@epa.gov, or by mail to: EPA
Docket Center (EPA/DC), Environmental
Protection Agency, Enforcement and
Compliance Docket and Information
Center, mail code 2201T, 1200
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC 20460, and (2) OMB at:
Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs, Office of Management and
Budget (OMB), Attention: Desk Officer
for EPA, 725 17th Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20503.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Learia Williams, Compliance
Assessment and Media Programs
Division, Office of Compliance, Mail
Code 2223A, Environmental Protection
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone
number: (202) 564–4113; fax number:
(202) 564–0050; e-mail address:
williams.learia@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA has
submitted the following ICR to OMB for
review and approval according to the
procedures prescribed in 5 CFR 1320.12.
On October 5, 2006 (71 FR 58853, EPA
sought comments on this ICR pursuant
to 5 CFR 1320.8(d). EPA received no
comments. Any additional comments on
this ICR should be submitted to EPA
and OMB within 30 days of this notice.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 154 (Friday, August 10, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45040-45042]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-15666]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Western Area Power Administration
Granby Pumping Plant-Windy Gap Transmission Line Rebuild Project,
Grand County, CO
AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) and Conduct Scoping; Notice of Floodplain and Wetlands
Involvement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Western Area Power Administration (Western), U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE), intends to prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) for rebuilding the Granby Pumping Plant-Windy Gap
transmission line in Grand County, Colorado. The U.S. Forest Service
(USFS) will participate in the preparation of the EIS, which will
address the proposed removal of about 12 miles of 69-kilovolt (kV)
transmission line, the construction and operation of about 12 miles of
new 138-kV double-circuit transmission line (operated at 69/138-kV),
and adding a second power transformer. Input for the scope of the EIS
may be provided in writing or at an open-house scoping meeting in the
project area.
DATES: An open-house public scoping meeting will be held Thursday,
August 30, 2007, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Granby, Colorado. The public
scoping period starts with the publication of this notice in the
Federal Register and closes at midnight on September 17, 2007. To be
assured of consideration, all
[[Page 45041]]
comments or suggestions regarding the appropriate scope must be
received by the end of the scoping period.
ADDRESSES: The open-house public scoping meeting will be held at
Mountain Parks Electric, Inc., 321 West Agate Avenue, Granby, CO 80446-
0170. Written comments regarding the project should be addressed to Mr.
Rodney Jones, NEPA Document Manager, Western Area Power Administration,
Rocky Mountain Region, P.O. Box 3700, Loveland, CO 80539-3003; fax
(970) 461-7213, or e-mail GPPWGP@wapa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about the proposed
project, to be added to the project mailing list, or to request a copy
of the EIS, contact Mr. Rodney Jones at the address provided above or
at toll-free telephone (800) 472-2306. For general information on DOE's
NEPA review procedures or status of a NEPA review, contact Ms. Carol M.
Borgstrom, Director of NEPA Policy and Compliance, GC-20, U.S.
Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC
20585, telephone (202) 586-4600 or (800) 472-2756.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Western is a power marketing agency of DOE
that markets Federal electric power to statutorily defined customers,
including project use, municipalities, irrigation districts, and Native
American tribes. Western initially determined that an Environmental
Assessment (EA) would be prepared for the proposed Granby Pumping
Plant-Windy Gap Transmission Line Rebuild Project on February 25, 2005.
Western held open-house scoping meetings on July 28, 2005, and November
15, 2006. The public expressed numerous concerns about the impacts of
the project. Based on a review of the public's concerns, Western
subsequently determined that an EIS would be prepared.
The EIS will address the environmental impacts of the proposal to
remove about 12 miles of existing 69-kV transmission line and the
construction and operation of about 12 miles of new 138-kV double-
circuit transmission line (which would be operated at 69/138-kV), and
adding a second power transformer. Alternatives, including the no
action alternative, will also be addressed in the EIS. Western's EIS
process will comply with NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321-4347, as amended),
Council on Environmental Quality regulations for implementing NEPA (40
Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] parts 1500-1508) and DOE NEPA
implementing procedures (10 CFR part 1021). Because the proposed
project may involve action in floodplains, the EIS will include a
floodplain assessment and floodplain statement of findings following
DOE regulations for compliance with floodplain and wetlands
environmental review requirements (10 CFR part 1022).
Description
Western's Rocky Mountain Region proposes to rebuild and upgrade the
Granby Pumping Plant-Windy Gap 69-kV transmission line, between the
Windy Gap Substation and the Granby Pumping Plant, a distance of
approximately 11.7 miles. The transmission line, which was constructed
on wood-pole H-frame structures, is located in Grand County, Colorado,
near the towns of Granby and Grand Lake. Other participants in the
project include Tri-State Generation and Transmission, Inc. (Tri-State)
and the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (NCWCD).
Western's Granby Pumping Plant-Windy Gap 69-kV transmission line
has been in operation approximately 65 years. It supplies electrical
power to the Colorado-Big Thompson Project (C-BT) facilities and
electrical substations operated by Mountain Parks Electric, Inc.
(MPEI), a Tri-State member operating company.
The area transmission system has also been served by the Bureau of
Reclamation's (Reclamation) Adams Tunnel 69-kV cable for the past 50
years, and the cable is at the end of its planned service life. The
Adams Tunnel 69-kV cable provides Tri-State with a second power source
for MPEI loads. In 1992, Western and Reclamation studied costs,
engineering requirements and electrical system constraints for
replacing the Adams Tunnel cable in anticipation of its eventual
failure. In 1994, Western and Reclamation decided not to replace the
cable if it fails.
For electrical service reliability, Tri-State must maintain a
second source of power for MPEI loads. The result of systems studies by
both Western and Tri-State demonstrated electrical system reliability
improvements when a new 138-kV transmission line was added between the
Windy Gap and Granby substations.
The NCWCD expressed interest in extending the 138-kV transmission
line directly to C-BT Project facilities at Granby Pumping Plant to
allow better voltage support for motor starting at Granby Pumping
Plant.
The proposed project includes the following actions.
Remove 10.0 miles of 69-kV circuit: Windy Gap Substation-
Stillwater Tap.
Remove 1.7 miles of 69-kV circuit: Stillwater Tap to
Granby-Granby Pumping Plant Substation.
Remove three 69-kV line switches at Granby Tap.
Construct 10.0 miles of 138-kV double-circuit transmission
line with overhead fiber optic ground wire (operated at 69/138-kV):
Windy Gap Substation-Stillwater Tap.
Construct 1.7 miles of 138-kV double-circuit transmission
line with overhead fiber optic ground wire (operated at 69/138-kV):
Stillwater Tap-Granby Pumping Plant Substation.
Install 69-kV three-way line switches at new Willow Creek
Tap (replaces Granby Tap).
Install 69-kV three-way line switches at Stillwater Tap.
Construct a new 138/69-kV Granby Pumping Plant Substation,
consisting of two circuit breakers with 138-kV main and transfer busses
and a 138/69-kV power transformer.
Install a new 69-kV circuit breaker at the existing 69/
6.9-kV Granby Pumping Plant Substation.
Install a new 138-kV circuit breaker bay at the Windy Gap
Substation.
The right-of-way for the existing transmission line is generally
30-feet wide, which is inadequate for new transmission line
construction and maintenance. Some segments of the proposed rebuilt and
upgraded transmission line would be constructed on new rights-of-way on
alternative alignments. Remaining segments of the transmission line
would be constructed on existing rights-of-way that will be widened to
accommodate construction, operation, and maintenance.
The proposed substation site for the new 138/69-kV Granby Pumping
Plant Substation would be approximately 200 feet by 150 feet in area,
and located entirely on Reclamation property.
No Action Alternative
Under the No Action alternative, none of the proposed facilities
would be constructed, and the existing 69-kV transmission line would be
left in place. Different transmission projects could be proposed by
other entities to strengthen the electrical system in the project area.
Agency Responsibilities
Western has determined that an EIS is required under DOE NEPA
implementing procedures, 10 CFR 1021, in light of the public's concerns
about potential impacts of the project. Western will be the lead
Federal agency for preparing the EIS, as defined in 40 CFR 1501.5. In
addition, the USFS has been designated a cooperating agency. Western
invites interested agencies,
[[Page 45042]]
Tribes, organizations, and members of the public to submit comments or
suggestions to assist in identifying environmental issues and in
determining the appropriate scope of the EIS. Western will invite other
Federal, State, local, and tribal agencies with jurisdiction by law or
special expertise, with respect to environmental issues, to be
cooperating agencies on the EIS, as defined in 40 CFR 1501.6. Such
agencies also may make a request to Western to be a cooperating agency.
Designated cooperating agencies have certain responsibilities to
support the NEPA process, as specified in 40 CFR 1501.6(b).
Environmental Issues
The EIS will address impacts from the proposed project and a range
of reasonable alternatives that achieve that same purpose and need.
This notice is to inform agencies and the public of the proposed
project and solicit comments and suggestions for consideration in
preparing the EIS. To help the public frame its comments, this notice
contains a list of potential environmental issues Western has
tentatively identified for analysis. These issues include:
1. Impacts on protected, threatened, endangered, or sensitive
species of animals or plants or their critical habitats;
2. Impacts on other biological resources;
3. Impacts on land use, recreation, and transportation;
4. Impacts on floodplains and wetlands;
5. Impacts on cultural or historic resources and tribal values;
6. Impacts on human health and safety;
7. Impacts on air, soil, and water resources (including air
quality, surface water impacts, and groundwater impacts);
8. Visual impacts; and
9. Socioeconomic impacts and disproportionately high and adverse
impacts to minority and low-income populations.
This list is not intended to be all-inclusive or to imply any
predetermination of impacts. Western invites interested parties to
suggest specific issues within these general categories, or other
issues not included above, to be considered in the EIS.
Public Participation
Opportunities for public participation are planned for the entire
EIS process. Western anticipates the EIS process will take about 12
months and will include an open-house public scoping meeting;
consultation and involvement with appropriate Federal, State, local,
and tribal agencies; public review and hearing on the published Draft
EIS; a published Final EIS; and publication of a Record of Decision.
Western will mail newsletters to the mailing list developed for the
proposed project to communicate project status and developments. Anyone
may request to be placed on the mailing list.
The scoping period will provide opportunity for interested members
of the public, representatives of groups, and Federal, State, local,
and tribal agencies to give input on the scope of alternatives and
issues that will be addressed in the EIS. As part of the scoping
period, Western will hold a public open-house scoping meeting near the
project area. Interested individuals and groups are invited to attend
anytime between 4 and 7 p.m., according to the date and location noted
above. The open-house scoping meeting will be informal, with Western
representatives available for one-on-one discussions with attendees.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view maps of the proposed
transmission line route, learn about the NEPA process and the proposed
schedule, suggest changes and improvements to the proposed project, and
obtain additional information. Written comments regarding environmental
issues, alternatives, and other scoping issues may be turned in at the
scoping meetings or may be provided to Western by fax, e-mail, U.S.
Postal Service, or other carrier. Although comments on the proposed
project may be submitted at any time during the EIS process, to be
assured consideration in helping define the scope of the EIS, all
comments or suggestions regarding the appropriate scope must be
received by the end of the scoping period. Comments received by Western
at or as a result of the July 28, 2005, and November 15, 2006, open
houses will be used to help define the scope of the EIS.
Dated: July 30, 2007.
Timothy J. Meeks,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. E7-15666 Filed 8-9-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
