Dairyland Power Cooperative, Inc.: Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Hold Public Scoping Meetings, 25485-25486 [E9-12407]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 101 / Thursday, May 28, 2009 / Notices and the original wooden bridge stringers and deck are beginning to fall into the stream channel. Constructing the bridge so the structure does not impede water flow, particularily during periods of high water, will be beneficial to the aquatic habitats. As part of the proposed action the West Fork Blacks Fork bridge will be replaced to provide access to salvage the lodgepole pine stands in Section 18, which are heavily infested by mountain pine beetles. Over the long term, it would provide access for the private property owner while allowing fire access, and other types of administrative uses on the National Forest by the Forest Service. This road has been gated for many years and this would continue if the bridge were replaced. The road would be periodically maintained to prevent erosion and deterioration of the road prism. The execution of easements would establish legal access and also provide for future maintenance. There are five basic techniques that will be used to contain prescribed fire in the treatment units. Fire will be used alone or in conjunction with commercial timber harvest to achieve a mosaic of burned and unburned patches within some of the units. Specific methods of line control will be specified in the burn plan. Construction of line will use the minimum necessary disturbance. The following estimates of miles of each kind of fire line are approximate, but represent the upper end (most line construction) for control lines. It is likely that firing techniques will be utilized more and constructed lines less than the estimates given. At least 3.9 miles of unit perimeter will utilize terrain features in conjunction with the firing patterns to selectively burn portions of the units. Natural features such as rock outcrops, openings, and wet riparian/stream corridors, will serve as anchors for utilizing firing techniques. In particular, Blacks Fork will function as the west fireline for most of the eastern burn unit. Created features such as areas where timber has been harvested may also be appropriate for control lines, depending on fuel conditions. Up to about 0.3 miles of handline (averaging 24 to 36 inches wide and cleared to mineral soil) will be built and rehabilitated. Where vegetation is short and light, such as in sage and grass, fireline constructed by hand will be used to anchor the burning. Line will be appropriately rehabilitated (by mulching, seeding, and/or water barring, as needed) following completion of the burning to prevent erosion. VerDate Nov<24>2008 17:11 May 27, 2009 Jkt 217001 Approximately 1.0 miles of machine line could be used. Heavy equipment will be used to construct fireline where fuels are larger than feasible for handline, and natural features/firing techniques are not adequate for control. Line will average 72 to 96 inches in width and be cleared to mineral soil. Possible equipment includes (but is not limited to) bulldozers, rubber tired skidders, trail cats, and tracked excavators. Following burning, the lines will be rehabilitated (seeded and water barred as needed, and where available woody debris may be scattered along for microsite protection). Approximately 0.9 miles of skid trails (including incidental machine line) will be used as fire containment lines. In timber sale units that have burning as secondary treatments skid trails for log removal will be placed along the perimeter and used also for containment of the fire. Skid trails are generally about 96 inches in width and have mineral soil exposed throughout much of their surface. As in the machine line, these will be rehabilitated following burning to prevent erosion. In small portions where it is not feasible to skid along the boundary then machine line will be built. Approximately 4.1 miles of Forest System Road will be used for fire containment. Where existing roads coincide with burn unit boundaries these will be used as fire lines, such as along the eastern boundary of the eastern burn unit. Possible Alternatives In addition to the Proposed Action, a no action alternative will be considered. This alternative would simply continue current management without the actions of this proposal. Other alternatives may be developed in response to issues generated during the scoping process. Responsible Official Evanston-Mountain View District Ranger. Nature of Decision To Be Made The decision to be made is whether or not to implement vegetation treatments in the Blacks Fork project area, and if so, to what degree and where. Preliminary Issues Preliminary issues are the effects of treatments on wildlife habitat, and the effects of insect and disease outbreaks on current forest health. Scoping Process This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides the PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 25485 development of the environmental impact statement. It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times and in such manner that they are useful to the agency’s preparation of the environmental impact statement. 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 appeal or judicial review. Dated: May 19, 2009. Stephen M. Ryberg, District Ranger. [FR Doc. E9–12124 Filed 5–27–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–M DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service Dairyland Power Cooperative, Inc.: Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Hold Public Scoping Meetings Rural Utilities Service, USDA. Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Hold Public Scoping Meetings. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and hold public scoping meetings and in connection with possible impacts related to a project proposed by Dairyland Power Cooperative in the CapX 2020 Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse Transmission Line Project. The proposal consists of the construction of a 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission line and associated infrastructure between Hampton, Minnesota and the La Crosse area in Wisconsin. The project also includes construction of new 161-kV transmission lines and associated facilities in the area of Rochester, Minnesota. The total length of 345-kV and 161-kV transmission lines associated with the proposed project will be approximately 150 miles. Proposed and alternate transmission segments and locations for proposed and alternate associated facilities have been identified by Dairyland Power Cooperative. Dairyland Power Cooperative is requesting RUS to provide financing for its portion of the proposed project. DATES: RUS will conduct six public scoping meetings in an open-house format followed by a discussion period: E:\FR\FM\28MYN1.SGM 28MYN1 25486 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 101 / Thursday, May 28, 2009 / Notices June 16, 2009, Plainview-Elgin-Millville High School, 500 West Broadway, Plainview, Minnesota; June 17, 2009, Wanamingo Community Center, 401 Main Street, Wanamingo, Minnesota; June 18, 2009, City of St. Charles Community Meeting Room, 830 Whitewater Avenue, St. Charles, Minnesota; June 23, 2009, La Crescent American Legion, 509 N. Chestnut, La Crescent, Minnesota; June 24, 2009, Centerville/Town of Trempealeau Community Center, W24854 State Road 54/93, Galesville, Wisconsin; and June 25, 2009, Cochrane-Fountain City High School, S2770 State Road 35, Fountain City, Wisconsin. All meetings will be held between 6–8:00 PM local time. Comments regarding the proposed project may be submitted (orally or in writing) at the public scoping meetings or in writing to RUS at the address listed in this notice no later than June 29, 2009. ADDRESSES: To send comments or for further information, contact Stephanie Strength, Environmental Protection Specialist, USDA, Rural Utilities Service, Engineering and Environmental Staff, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250– 1571, telephone: (202) 720–0468 or email: stephanie.strength@usda.gov. An Alternative Evaluation Study (AES) and Macro Corridor Study (MCS), prepared by Dairyland Power Cooperative, will be presented at the public scoping meetings. The reports are available for public review at the RUS address provided in this notice and at Dairyland Power Cooperative, 3251 East Avenue, South, La Crosse, WI 54602. In Addition, the reports will be available at RUS’ Web site, https://www.usda.gov/ rus/water/ees/eis.htm and at the following repositories: Alma Public Library, 312 North Main Street, Alma, WI 54610, Phone: 608– 685–3823. Arcadia Public Library, 406 E Main Street, Arcadia, WI 54612, Phone: 608–323–7505. Blair-Preston Library, 122 Urberg Street, Blair, WI 54616, Phone: 608–989– 2502. Campbell Library, 2219 Bainbridge Street, La Crosse, WI 54603, Phone: 608–783–0052. Cannon Falls Library, 306 West Mill Street, Cannon Falls, MN 55009, Phone: 507–263–2804. Dairyland Power Cooperative, 500 Old State Highway 35, Alma, WI 54610, Phone: 608–685–4497. Galesville Public Library, 16787 South Main Street, Galesville, WI 54630, Phone: 608–582–2552. VerDate Nov<24>2008 17:11 May 27, 2009 Jkt 217001 Hokah Public Library, 57 Main Street, Hokah, MN 55941, Phone: 507–894– 2665. Holmen Area Library, 16787 South Main Street, Galesville, WI 54630, Phone: 608–526–4198. Kenyon Public Library, 709 2nd Street, Kenyon, MN 55946, Phone: 507–789– 6821. Riverland Energy Cooperative, N28988 State Road 93, Arcadia, WI 54612, Phone: 608–323–3381. Rochester Public Library, 101 2nd Street SE., Rochester, MN 55963, Phone: 507–328–2309. Shirley M. Wright Memorial Library, 11455 Fremont Street, Trempealeau, WI 54650, Phone: 608–534–6197. St. Charles Public Library, 125 W 11th Street, St. Charles, MN 55927, Phone: 507–932–3227. Tri-County Electric, 31110 Cooperative Way, Rushford, MN 55971, Phone: 507–864–7783. La Crescent Public Library, 321 Main Street, La Crescent, MN 55947, Phone: 507–895–4047. La Crosse Public Library, 800 Main Street, La Crosse, WI 54601, Phone: 608–789–7109. Onalaska Public Library, 741 Oak Avenue, South, Onalaska, WI 54650, Phone: 608–781–9568. People’s Cooperative Services, 3935 Hwy 14 E, Rochester, MN 55903, Phone: 507–288–4004. Plainview Public Library, 115 SE 3rd Street, Pine Island, MN 55963, Phone: 507–534–3425. Van Horn Public Library, 115 SE 3rd Street, Pine Island, MN 55963, Phone: 507–356–8558. Winona Public Library, 151 West 5th Street, Winona, MN 55987, Phone: 507–452–4582. Xcel Energy, 5050 Service Drive, Winona, MN 55987, Phone: 800–422– 0782. Xcel Energy, 1414 West Hamilton Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54701, Phone: 715–839–2621. Zumbrota Public Library, 100 West Avenue, Zumbrota, MN 55992, Phone: 507–732–5211. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Preliminary proposed transmission line corridors and siting areas for substations have been identified. The EIS will address the construction, operation, and management of the proposed project, which includes a 345-kV transmission line and associated infrastructure between Hampton, Minnesota and the La Crosse area of Wisconsin; 161-kV transmission lines in the vicinity of Rochester, Minnesota; construction and maintenance of access roads for all proposed transmission lines; PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 construction of up to three new substations, and expansion of up to three existing substations. Total length of the transmission lines for the proposed project will be approximately 150 miles. The project study area includes part or all of the following counties in Minnesota: Dakota, Goodhue, Wabasha, Winona, Houston, Olmsted, Rice, and Dodge. In Wisconsin, the project area includes parts of the following counties: La Crosse, Trempealeau, and Buffalo. Among the alternatives RUS will address in the EIS is the No Action alternative, under which the project would not be undertaken. In the EIS, the effects of the proposed project will be compared to the existing conditions in the area affected. Alternative transmission line corridors and substation locations will be refined as part of the EIS scoping process and will be addressed in the Draft EIS. RUS will carefully study public health and safety, environmental impacts, and engineering aspects of the proposed project and all related facilities. RUS will use input provided by government agencies, private organizations, and the public in the preparation of the Draft EIS. The Draft EIS will be available for review and comment for 45 days. A Final EIS that considers all comments received will subsequently be prepared. The Final EIS will be available for review and comment for 30 days. Following the 30day comment period, RUS will prepare a Record of Decision (ROD). Notices announcing the availability of the Draft EIS, the Final EIS, and the ROD will be published in the Federal Register and in local newspapers. Any final action by RUS related to the proposed project will be subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations and completion of the environmental review requirements as prescribed in the RUS Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR part 1794). Dated: May 22, 2009. Mark S. Plank, Director, Engineering and Environmental Staff, USDA/Rural Utilities Service. [FR Doc. E9–12407 Filed 5–27–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P E:\FR\FM\28MYN1.SGM 28MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 101 (Thursday, May 28, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25485-25486]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-12407]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Dairyland Power Cooperative, Inc.: Notice of Intent To Prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement and Hold Public Scoping Meetings

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
and Hold Public Scoping Meetings.

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

SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) intends to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and hold public scoping meetings 
and in connection with possible impacts related to a project proposed 
by Dairyland Power Cooperative in the CapX 2020 Hampton-Rochester-La 
Crosse Transmission Line Project. The proposal consists of the 
construction of a 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission line and associated 
infrastructure between Hampton, Minnesota and the La Crosse area in 
Wisconsin. The project also includes construction of new 161-kV 
transmission lines and associated facilities in the area of Rochester, 
Minnesota. The total length of 345-kV and 161-kV transmission lines 
associated with the proposed project will be approximately 150 miles. 
Proposed and alternate transmission segments and locations for proposed 
and alternate associated facilities have been identified by Dairyland 
Power Cooperative. Dairyland Power Cooperative is requesting RUS to 
provide financing for its portion of the proposed project.

DATES: RUS will conduct six public scoping meetings in an open-house 
format followed by a discussion period:

[[Page 25486]]

June 16, 2009, Plainview-Elgin-Millville High School, 500 West 
Broadway, Plainview, Minnesota; June 17, 2009, Wanamingo Community 
Center, 401 Main Street, Wanamingo, Minnesota; June 18, 2009, City of 
St. Charles Community Meeting Room, 830 Whitewater Avenue, St. Charles, 
Minnesota; June 23, 2009, La Crescent American Legion, 509 N. Chestnut, 
La Crescent, Minnesota; June 24, 2009, Centerville/Town of Trempealeau 
Community Center, W24854 State Road 54/93, Galesville, Wisconsin; and 
June 25, 2009, Cochrane-Fountain City High School, S2770 State Road 35, 
Fountain City, Wisconsin. All meetings will be held between 6-8:00 PM 
local time. Comments regarding the proposed project may be submitted 
(orally or in writing) at the public scoping meetings or in writing to 
RUS at the address listed in this notice no later than June 29, 2009.

ADDRESSES: To send comments or for further information, contact 
Stephanie Strength, Environmental Protection Specialist, USDA, Rural 
Utilities Service, Engineering and Environmental Staff, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250-1571, 
telephone: (202) 720-0468 or e-mail: stephanie.strength@usda.gov.
    An Alternative Evaluation Study (AES) and Macro Corridor Study 
(MCS), prepared by Dairyland Power Cooperative, will be presented at 
the public scoping meetings. The reports are available for public 
review at the RUS address provided in this notice and at Dairyland 
Power Cooperative, 3251 East Avenue, South, La Crosse, WI 54602. In 
Addition, the reports will be available at RUS' Web site, https://www.usda.gov/rus/water/ees/eis.htm and at the following repositories:

Alma Public Library, 312 North Main Street, Alma, WI 54610, Phone: 608-
685-3823.
Arcadia Public Library, 406 E Main Street, Arcadia, WI 54612, Phone: 
608-323-7505.
Blair-Preston Library, 122 Urberg Street, Blair, WI 54616, Phone: 608-
989-2502.
Campbell Library, 2219 Bainbridge Street, La Crosse, WI 54603, Phone: 
608-783-0052.
Cannon Falls Library, 306 West Mill Street, Cannon Falls, MN 55009, 
Phone: 507-263-2804.
Dairyland Power Cooperative, 500 Old State Highway 35, Alma, WI 54610, 
Phone: 608-685-4497.
Galesville Public Library, 16787 South Main Street, Galesville, WI 
54630, Phone: 608-582-2552.
Hokah Public Library, 57 Main Street, Hokah, MN 55941, Phone: 507-894-
2665.
Holmen Area Library, 16787 South Main Street, Galesville, WI 54630, 
Phone: 608-526-4198.
Kenyon Public Library, 709 2nd Street, Kenyon, MN 55946, Phone: 507-
789-6821.
Riverland Energy Cooperative, N28988 State Road 93, Arcadia, WI 54612, 
Phone: 608-323-3381.
Rochester Public Library, 101 2nd Street SE., Rochester, MN 55963, 
Phone: 507-328-2309.
Shirley M. Wright Memorial Library, 11455 Fremont Street, Trempealeau, 
WI 54650, Phone: 608-534-6197.
St. Charles Public Library, 125 W 11th Street, St. Charles, MN 55927, 
Phone: 507-932-3227.
Tri-County Electric, 31110 Cooperative Way, Rushford, MN 55971, Phone: 
507-864-7783.
La Crescent Public Library, 321 Main Street, La Crescent, MN 55947, 
Phone: 507-895-4047.
La Crosse Public Library, 800 Main Street, La Crosse, WI 54601, Phone: 
608-789-7109.
Onalaska Public Library, 741 Oak Avenue, South, Onalaska, WI 54650, 
Phone: 608-781-9568.
People's Cooperative Services, 3935 Hwy 14 E, Rochester, MN 55903, 
Phone: 507-288-4004.
Plainview Public Library, 115 SE 3rd Street, Pine Island, MN 55963, 
Phone: 507-534-3425.
Van Horn Public Library, 115 SE 3rd Street, Pine Island, MN 55963, 
Phone: 507-356-8558.
Winona Public Library, 151 West 5th Street, Winona, MN 55987, Phone: 
507-452-4582.
Xcel Energy, 5050 Service Drive, Winona, MN 55987, Phone: 800-422-0782.
Xcel Energy, 1414 West Hamilton Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54701, Phone: 
715-839-2621.
Zumbrota Public Library, 100 West Avenue, Zumbrota, MN 55992, Phone: 
507-732-5211.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Preliminary proposed transmission line 
corridors and siting areas for substations have been identified. The 
EIS will address the construction, operation, and management of the 
proposed project, which includes a 345-kV transmission line and 
associated infrastructure between Hampton, Minnesota and the La Crosse 
area of Wisconsin; 161-kV transmission lines in the vicinity of 
Rochester, Minnesota; construction and maintenance of access roads for 
all proposed transmission lines; construction of up to three new 
substations, and expansion of up to three existing substations. Total 
length of the transmission lines for the proposed project will be 
approximately 150 miles. The project study area includes part or all of 
the following counties in Minnesota: Dakota, Goodhue, Wabasha, Winona, 
Houston, Olmsted, Rice, and Dodge. In Wisconsin, the project area 
includes parts of the following counties: La Crosse, Trempealeau, and 
Buffalo.
    Among the alternatives RUS will address in the EIS is the No Action 
alternative, under which the project would not be undertaken. In the 
EIS, the effects of the proposed project will be compared to the 
existing conditions in the area affected. Alternative transmission line 
corridors and substation locations will be refined as part of the EIS 
scoping process and will be addressed in the Draft EIS. RUS will 
carefully study public health and safety, environmental impacts, and 
engineering aspects of the proposed project and all related facilities.
    RUS will use input provided by government agencies, private 
organizations, and the public in the preparation of the Draft EIS. The 
Draft EIS will be available for review and comment for 45 days. A Final 
EIS that considers all comments received will subsequently be prepared. 
The Final EIS will be available for review and comment for 30 days. 
Following the 30-day comment period, RUS will prepare a Record of 
Decision (ROD). Notices announcing the availability of the Draft EIS, 
the Final EIS, and the ROD will be published in the Federal Register 
and in local newspapers.
    Any final action by RUS related to the proposed project will be 
subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant federal, 
state, and local environmental laws and regulations and completion of 
the environmental review requirements as prescribed in the RUS 
Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR part 1794).

    Dated: May 22, 2009.
Mark S. Plank,
Director, Engineering and Environmental Staff, USDA/Rural Utilities 
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-12407 Filed 5-27-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.