Eldorado National Forest, CA; Kirkwood Meadows Power Line Reliability Project EIS/EIR, 8896-8899 [E9-4119]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Forest Service

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 38 (Friday, February 27, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8896-8899]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-4119]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 38 / Friday, February 27, 2009 / 
Notices

[[Page 8896]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Eldorado National Forest, CA; Kirkwood Meadows Power Line 
Reliability Project EIS/EIR

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, Eldorado 
National Forest (Forest Service), together with the Kirkwood Meadows 
Public Utility District (KMPUD), will prepare a joint Environmental 
Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) to disclose the 
impacts associated with authorizing a 50-year term Special Use Permit 
for the construction, use and maintenance of a Kirkwood Meadows Public 
Utility District power line connecting the electrical grid near Salt 
Springs with the community of Kirkwood Meadows, located in Amador, 
Alpine and El Dorado Counties, California.
    The new power line would potentially be located along Highway 88 
and within the Eldorado National Forest. The power line would connect 
with an existing 115 kV transmission line near the PG&E hydroelectric 
facility at Salt Springs Reservoir. The proposed project also includes 
two substations to be built, one near the Salt Springs hydroelectric 
facility and the other on KMPUD property within the Kirkwood Meadows 
valley, as well as ancillary improvements on National Forest System 
lands needed to maintain this system (e.g., poles, roads, communication 
equipment).

DATES: The comment period on the proposed action will extend 45 days 
from the date this Notice of Intent is published in the Federal 
Register. Completion of the draft EIS/EIR is expected in March 2010 and 
the final EIS/EIR is expected in October 2010.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to 100 Forth Road, Placerville, CA 
95667. Comments may also be sent via e-mail to comments-
pacificsouthwest-eldorado@fs.fed.us, or via facsimile to (530) 621-
5297.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Copies of the proposed action and 
other information concerning this proposed action may be found on the 
project Web site at https://www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado/projects/. Copies 
of the proposed action or requests for further information may be 
addressed to Sue Rodman, 100 Forth Road, Placerville CA 95667. Project 
information can also be requested by leaving a voice message at (530) 
621-5298.
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) 
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Purpose and Need for Action

    The purpose of the proposed project is to replace the use of 
diesel-fired generators within Kirkwood Meadows as the primary supply 
of power for current and future needs within the KMPUD service area. 
Additionally, the proposed project would increase the reliability of 
the power supply for the KMPUD service area; remove a source of 
particulates, noise and emissions from the Kirkwood Meadows valley, 
provide access to cost effective renewable sources of power for the 
Kirkwood Meadows valley, and help stabilize rates within the KMPUD 
service area. The following needs for this proposed action have been 
identified as follows:
    Due to its remote location, high altitude, and challenging load 
pattern (peak loads may occur during periods of heavy snowfall), 
providing electrical power using diesel fired generation is 
challenging. The quality and reliability of the power supply is low as 
compared to typical grid-supplied electricity elsewhere in California 
due to a combination of factors. An interconnection between the KMPIJD 
service area and the California electrical grid would provide a more 
robust and reliable source of supply. The proposed project would also 
be able to accommodate buildout currently approved for Kirkwood Meadows 
as described in the Kirkwood Meadows Specific Plan and the on mountain 
improvements described in the Kirkwood Mountain Resort Mountain Master 
Development Plan.
    The existing diesel generation system within Kirkwood Meadows is 
subject to the air quality permitting authority of the Great Basin 
Unified Air Pollution Control District (GBUAPCD), and meets the 
criteria set forth in the permits issued by the GBUAPCD. Nonetheless, 
the proposed project would reduce the emissions of diesel particulates 
in Kirkwood Meadows valley, as the existing diesel generation system 
would retire from primary generation to backup generation only as a 
result of the proposed project.
    Since the existing generation system is relatively small and relies 
on diesel fuel, the price of electrical power within the KMPUID service 
area is heavily dependent on the price of diesel. The recent 
fluctuations in the price of diesel caused power prices within the 
KMPUD service area to spike dramatically. The proposed project would 
allow KMPUD to access the California electrical grid, and enter into 
long term, stable contracts for power supply.
    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.

Proposed Action

    The proposed project would involve authorizing a 50-year term 
Special Use Permit for the construction, use and maintenance of a 
Kirkwood Meadows Public Utility District power line connecting Kirkwood 
Meadows (in Alpine, Amador and El Dorado Counties) to an existing 115 
kV transmission line owned by Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) 
near the PG&E hydroelectric facility at Salt

[[Page 8897]]

Springs Reservoir, in Amador County. The proposed project also includes 
two substations to be built, one within the KMPUD service area and the 
other near the PG&E Salt Springs hydroelectric facility, as well as 
ancillary improvements on National Forest System lands needed to 
maintain this system (e.g., poles, roads, communication equipment).
    The proposed project would involve lands managed by the Eldorado 
National Forest in portions of Sections within Township 8 North, Range 
15 East; Township 8 North, Range 16 East; Township 9 North, Range 16 
East; Township 9 North, Range 17 East; and Township 10 North, Range 17 
East, Mt. Diablo Base and Meridian.
    The proposed project alignment is referred to as the Carson Spur 
Alignment. The proposed project alignment commences near PG&E's Salt 
Springs powerhouse, crosses the ridge to Bear River Reservoir, travels 
up to the State Highway 88 and Old Alpine Highway route and generally 
follows those alignments to Kirkwood Meadows. The proposed project will 
be constructed in the various alignment segments described below, 
utilizing underground or above ground installation methods, as 
required.
    Segments PGE 1: Salt Springs substation along Salt Springs 
penstock--1.2 miles utilizing an overbuild of the existing PG&E 12 kV 
pole line.
    Segment PGE 2: Cole Creek to Bear River Reservoir via PG&E 12 kV 
distribution line--1.9 Miles utilizing an overbuild of the existing 
PG&E 12 kV pole line.
    Segment BRR 1: Bear River Reservoir to Hwy 88--3.6 miles (from the 
south side of Bear River Reservoir, across the Bear River Reservoir dam 
to Highway 88).
    Segment OAH 1: 13.1 miles generally parallel to Hwy 88 on the Old 
Alpine Highway alignment where possible.
    Segment OAH 2: 2.1 miles generally parallel to Highway 88 from 
Tragedy Springs past Silver Lake.
    Segment CS 1: Oyster Springs to top of Carson Spur, generally 
parallel to Hwy 88 on Old Alpine Hwy--2.8 miles.
    Segment CS 2: Carson Spur in Hwy 88--0.9 Miles.
    Segment CS 3: Departs Hwy 88 East of the Carson Spur to KMPUD 
facilities 0.9 miles.
    A map of the proposed project alignment is available at https://
www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado/projects/, will be available for view at the 
Scoping Meetings listed below (see Scoping Process), or may be 
requested from the Forest Service at the addresses listed above (see 
For Further Contact Information).

Background

    The Kirkwood Meadows power system currently uses a set of diesel 
generators with a maximum permitted capacity of 5.34 MW and a peak load 
of approximately 4 MW to power the ski resort, residences, and other 
businesses of Kirkwood Meadows. Since the approval of the first 
Kirkwood Master Plan in 1974, the ski resort has grown and now has 
power demands approaching the capacity of the existing diesel power 
plant. The Kirkwood Specific Plan completed in 2003 and the Mountain 
Master Plan completed in 2007 approved continued expansion of the 
resort and related recreational opportunities which will in turn 
require more electrical capacity.
    Electrical energy can be unreliable in the Kirkwood Meadows service 
area, due to a combination of challenges related to generation and 
delivery of energy at high altitude and difficult winter conditions. 
Weather and equipment-related outages and low power quality occur in 
the Kirkwood Meadows area despite high rates and continuous investment 
in the system. One method of achieving a more reliable, higher capacity 
electricity source is to connect the Kirkwood community to the public 
electrical grid.
    Several discussions regarding line extensions and interconnection 
have occurred with both PG&E (in California) and Sierra Pacific Power 
(SPP, in Nevada and California) since 1996 and a resolution was not 
reached. Energy demand is expected to exceed capacity within the next 
few years, therefore, KMIPTJD has taken on responsibility for pursuing 
a connection to the grid. The new power line is expected to meet the 
following needs: increase the reliability of the power supply for the 
KMPUD service area, reduce particulates, noise and emissions from the 
diesel generation in Kirkwood Meadows valley, provide access to cost 
effective renewable sources of energy from the California electrical 
grid, and stabilize rates within the KMPUD service area.
    The Forest Service is the lead Federal agency for the preparation 
of a joint EIS/EIR in compliance with the National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA) and all other applicable laws, executive orders, 
regulations, and direction. KMPUD is the lead State of California 
agency for the preparation of a joint EIS/EIR in compliance with the 
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), California Public Resource 
Code Division 13, and all other applicable laws and regulations. Both 
agencies have determined a joint EIS/EIR is needed to efficiently 
analyze the proposed action and evaluate its impacts. Pursuant to CEQA, 
a Notice of Preparation of Joint EIS/EIR has also been prepared.

Possible Alternatives

    The Forest Service will identify alternatives to the proposed 
action that address significant issues brought forward by the public 
during the scoping process. Possible alternatives could include: 
alternate alignments for the proposed power line, as well as 
construction alternatives to locate all or portions of the proposed 
power line underground, or an alternative for the types and number of 
poles and voltage that would be used.
    In addition, KMPUD has identified two preliminary alternatives for 
analysis: the Silver Lake alignment and the Long Valley alignment.
    The Silver Lake Alignment follows much of the Carson Spur Alignment 
until it reaches the north end of Silver Lake. The Silver Lake 
Alignment would depart from the proposed action alignment from Hwy 88 
just north of Silver Lake, travel northeast of the lake to the top of 
Chair 6 at Kirkwood Meadows, and follow the Chair 6 alignment into 
Kirkwood Meadows Valley. The Silver Lake Alignment includes Segments 
PGE 1, PGE 2, BRR 1, OAR 1, OAH 2, NR 1, NR 2, NR 3.
    Segments PGE 1, PGE 2, OAH 1, OAR 2--These segments are described 
in the Carson Spur Alignment above.
    Segment NR 1 & NR 2: Around northeast end of Silver Lake, and from 
Silver Lake to top of Chair 6--2.9 miles.
    Segment NR 3: Top of Chair 6 down a ski slope to KMPT.JD system--
1.3 miles.
    The Long Valley Alignment would be an overhead alignment along Long 
Valley, at 115 kV. The Long Valley Alignment commences near PG&E's Salt 
Springs powerhouse, follows the PG&E penstock north, then swings 
northeast and generally parallels Cole Creek Road. The alignment then 
heads generally northeast through Long Valley to just south of Kirkwood 
Meadows, then swings north to Kirkwood Meadows valley. The Long Valley 
Alignment would be considered a corridor; and a precise alignment 
location would be surveyed in the future. The Long Valley Alignment 
includes Segments PGE 1 and LV 1, LV 2, LV 3.
    Segment PGE 1: Salt Springs substation along Salt Springs 
penstock--1.2 miles. Segment LV 1, LV 2, LV 3: LV 1 is top of Salt 
Springs penstock to Squaw Ridge, LV 2 is

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Squaw Ridge to Allen Ranch, and LV 3 is Allen Ranch to Kirkwood.
    In addition to the alignment alternatives, various construction 
technologies will be evaluated for applicability on all alignments. 
Construction technologies include:
    [cir] Underground Construction: Underground construction would 
utilize direct burial or a conduit and vault system. Underground 
construction would require a nominal trench excavation of 18 
W x 66 D, constructed within a cleared construction corridor 
of 30 to 40 feet in width. For direct burial, the power cables must be 
bedded in select backfill material 6 inches below and 12 inches above 
the cable. Trench sections of up to 3000 feet in length will be opened 
for installation of the cable. Power line sections crossing under 
roads, narrow waterways and other special crossings will be installed 
using directional boring techniques in rigid conduit on an as needed 
basis. An above ground switching cabinet will be required approximately 
every mile along the underground power line route. The cabinet and 
supporting concrete pad will be approximately 8 feet square and about 4 
feet high. For a conduit and vault system, the trench requirements will 
be the same as the direct burial sections except that the trench can be 
backfilled immediately after installing the conduit and the cable 
installed at a later date. The cable is then pulled in the conduit from 
one vault to the next. Depending on the terrain profile and lateral 
changes in direction, pull and splice vaults are generally spaced about 
500-800 feet apart.
    [cir] Overhead Lines: Overhead lines would be constructed in 
cleared corridors of 40 to 80 feet, depending on line voltage, terrain, 
snow depth and configuration of the pole structures. Weathering brown 
metal poles and low reflectivity conductors will be utilized wherever 
possible to better fit in with the surrounding forest.
    Construction and maintenance may utilize helicopter techniques.

Lead and Cooperating Agencies

    The Forest Service and the KMPUD 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 KMPUD 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 the Forest Supervisor of the Eldorado National Forest, 
Ramiro Villalvazo.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The Forest Supervisor of the Eldorado National Forest will decide 
whether or not to authorize a 50-year term Special Use Permit for the 
construction, use and maintenance of a Kirkwood Meadows Public Utility 
District power line along the proposed alignment, to make such 
authorization based upon an alternative alignment, or decide to take no 
action, based upon the findings of the Final EIS/EIR. The Forest 
Supervisor of the Eldorado National Forest will only make a decision 
regarding impacts on National Forest System lands. Once the decision is 
made, a record of decision/notice of decision to disclose the rationale 
for the decision will be published.

Permits or Licenses Required

    Depending on the final alignment and configuration of the project, 
other necessary permits for the project may include, but are not 
limited to, an encroachment permit from Caltrans in order to construct 
the line within the right-of-way of State Highway 88 and Overload 
Permits; encroachment permits from Amador, Alpine and El Dorado 
Counties required to cross county rights-of-way; other local agency 
permits as may be required; air pollution permits from Amador County 
Air Pollution Control District (ACAPCD), El Dorado Air Quality 
Management District (EDAQMD), and Great Basin Unified Air Pollution 
Control District (GBUAPCD); National Pollution Discharge Elimination 
System (NPDES), General Construction permit issued by California's 
Regional Water Quality Control Board; Section 404 permit from the U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers in the event of construction within 
jurisdictional waters (e.g., navigable waters or wetlands); Section 
1601 Streambed Alteration permit from the California Department of Fish 
and Game for construction within the bed or banks of any streams or 
creeks; California Department of Toxic Substance Control, EPA Hazardous 
Waste Generator Identification; State Historical Perservation Officer 
(SHPO) Section 106 Compliance.

Scoping Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which 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. It is important that interested parties 
provide their comments at such times and in such manner that they are 
useful to the lead agencies' preparation of the EIS/EIR. Therefore, 
comments should be provided prior to the close of the scoping period 
and should clearly articulate the interested party's concerns and 
contentions to the Addresses stated above. Interested parties are also 
given the opportunity to provide comments at the Scoping Meetings on 
the dates/ times/locations scheduled below. This input will be used in 
preparation of the draft EIS/EIR.
    Information about the environmental review process will be posted 
on the Internet at: https://www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado/projects/. This 
site will be used to post all public documents during the environmental 
review process and to announce upcoming public meetings.
    The Forest Service and KMPUD will hold two scoping meetings to 
provide information about the proposed action to the public, and to 
allow people to comment on the proposed action and possible 
alternatives. The scoping meetings will be held on the following dates, 
locations and times:
    1. April 7, 2009, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Jackson Civic Center, 33 
Broadway, Jackson, CA 95642.
    2. April 8, 2009, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., KMPUD office, 33540 Loop 
Road, Kirkwood, CA 95646.
    The scoping period on the proposed action and possible alternatives 
will extend from 45 days from the date that this NOT is published in 
the Federal Register.

Early Notice of Importance of Public Participation in Subsequent 
Environmental Review

    The draft EIS/EIR is expected to be filed with the Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA) and to be available for public review in March 
2010. The EPA will publish a notice of availability of the draft EIS/
EIR in the Federal Register. The comment period on the draft EIS/EIR 
will extend 45 days from the date the EPA notice appears in the Federal 
Register. At that time, copies of the draft EIS/EIR will be distributed 
to interested and affected agencies, organizations, and members of the 
public for their review and comment. It is very important that those 
interested participate at that time. The final EIS/EIR is expected to 
be completed by October 2010. In the final EIS/EIR, the Forest Service 
and KMPUD are required to respond to comments received during

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the comment period that pertain to the environmental consequences 
discussed in the draft EIS/EIR and applicable laws, regulations, and 
policies considered in making the decision.
    It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times 
and in such a way that they are useful to the Agency's preparation of 
the ETS. Therefore, comments should be provided prior to the close of 
the comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewer's 
concerns and contentions. The submission of timely and specific 
comments can affect a reviewer's ability to participate in subsequent 
administrative review or judicial review.
    Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names 
and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record 
for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be 
accepted and considered; however, anonymous comments will not provide 
the respondent with standing to participate in subsequent 
administrative review or judicial review.

    Dated: February 20, 2009.
Ramiro Villalvazo,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. E9-4119 Filed 2-26-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M