Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc., Notice of Intent To Hold Public Scoping Meetings and Prepare an Environmental Assessment, 38391-38392 [E9-18413]

Download as PDF 38391 Notices Federal Register Vol. 74, No. 147 Monday, August 3, 2009 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc., Notice of Intent To Hold Public Scoping Meetings and Prepare an Environmental Assessment Rural Utilities Service, USDA. Notice of Intent to Hold Public Scoping Meetings and Prepare an Environmental Assessment. AGENCY: sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with NOTICES ACTION: SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) intends to hold public scoping meetings and prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) to meet its responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and 7 CFR part 1794 in connection with potential impacts related to a proposed project in Colorado by Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. (Tri-State) and Public Service Company of Colorado (Public Service), an Xcel Energy Operating Company. The proposed San Luis Valley-Calumet-Comanche Transmission Project (proposed action) consists of the following: a proposed 230/345-kilovolt (kV) Calumet Substation to be located approximately 6 miles north of the existing Walsenburg Substation in Huerfano County; a proposed double-circuit 230-kV transmission line between the existing San Luis Valley Substation in Alamosa County and the Calumet Substation; a proposed single-circuit 230-kV transmission line between the Calumet Substation and the Walsenburg Substation; and a proposed doublecircuit 345-kV transmission line connecting the Calumet Substation to the existing Comanche Substation in Pueblo County. Tri-State is requesting that RUS provide financial assistance for the proposed action. DATES: RUS will conduct public scoping meetings in an open house format to provide information and solicit VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:05 Jul 31, 2009 Jkt 217001 comments for the preparation of the EA. The scoping meetings will be held on the following dates: Monday, August 17, 2009, from 4–7 p.m. at the Blanca/Fort Garland Community Center, 17591 Highway 160, Blanca, Colorado 81123; Tuesday, August 18, 2009, from 4–7 p.m. at the Alamosa Recreation Center, 2222 Old Sanford Road, Alamosa, Colorado 81101; Wednesday, August 19, 2009, from 9 a.m.–11 a.m. at the Gardner Community Center, 28 County Road 632, Gardner, Colorado 81040; Wednesday, August 19, 2009, from 4–7 p.m. at the Walsenburg Community Center, 928 Russell Avenue, Walsenburg, Colorado 81089–2155; Thursday, August 20, 2009, from 9 a.m.–11 a.m. at the Hollydot Golf Course, 55 North Parkway Drive, Colorado City, Colorado 81019; and Thursday, August 20, 2009, from 4–7 p.m. at the Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center, 210 N. Santa Fe Avenue, Pueblo, Colorado 81003. All written questions and comments must be received by RUS by September 21, 2009. To send comments or for further information, contact: Dennis Rankin, Environmental Protection Specialist, USDA Rural Utilities Service, at 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250– 1571, or e-mail: dennis.rankin@wdc.usda.gov. A combined Alternative Evaluation Study (AES) and Macro Corridor Study (MCS) has been prepared for the San Luis Valley to Walsenburg portion of the proposed project, and an AES and MCS have been prepared for the Calumet to Comanche portion of the proposed project. All documents are available for public review prior to and at the public scoping meetings. The reports are available at the RUS address provided in this notice and on the agency’s Web site: https://www.usda.gov/rus/water/ ees/eis.htm. The documents are also available for review at the offices of TriState and its member cooperatives San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative and San Isabel Electric Cooperative. In addition, the following repositories will have the AES and MCS available for public review: ADDRESSES: Tri-State Generation & Transmission, 1100 West 116th Avenue, Westminster, CO 80234–2814, PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 San Isabel Electric Association, 893 East Enterprise Drive, Pueblo West, CO 81007–1476 La Veta Public Library District, 310 Main Street, La Veta, CO 81055–0028 Robert Hoag Rawlings Public Library, 100 East Abriendo Avenue, , Pueblo, CO 81004–4232 Costilla County Public Library, 418 Gasper Street, San Luis, CO 81152– 0351 San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, 3625 U.S. Highway 160 W, Monte Vista, CO 81144–9300 Southern Peaks Public Library, 423 Fourth Street , Alamosa, CO 81101– 2601 Carnegie Public Library, 120 Jefferson Street, Monte Vista, CO 81144–1797 Lamb Branch Library, 2525 South Pueblo Boulevard, Pueblo, CO 81005– 2700 Spanish Peaks Library District, 323 Main Street, Walsenburg, CO 81089– 1842 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The primary purpose for the proposed action is to improve the electric service and increase reliability for Tri-State and Public Service customers in the San Luis Valley and Front Range areas. The proposed action would also provide a transmission outlet for renewable energy generation in the San Luis Valley. This proposed action will assist Tri-State and Public Service in meeting their respective transmission needs in the region by using one common transmission corridor instead of two separate corridors. This joint approach will minimize potential impacts to property owners and the environment. Tri-State is seeking financing from RUS for its percent ownership in the proposed project. Prior to making a financial decision about whether to provide financial assistance for a proposed project, RUS is required to conduct an environmental review under the NEPA in accordance with the RUS policies and procedures codified in 7 CFR Part 1794. Government agencies, private organizations, and the public are invited to participate in the planning and analysis of the proposed action. Representatives from the RUS, Tri-State, and Public Service will be available at the scoping meetings to discuss the environmental review process, describe the proposed action, discuss the scope of environmental issues to be considered, answer questions, and E:\FR\FM\03AUN1.SGM 03AUN1 38392 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 147 / Monday, August 3, 2009 / Notices accept comments. RUS will use comments and input provided by government agencies, private organizations, and the public in the preparation of the Draft EA. If RUS finds, based on the EA, that the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment, RUS will prepare a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). Public notification of a Finding of No Significant Impact would be published in the Federal Register and in newspapers with circulation in the project area. RUS may take its final action on proposed actions requiring an EA (§ 1794.23) any time after publication of applicant notices that a FONSI has been made and any required review period has expired. When substantive comments are received on the EA, RUS may provide an additional period (15 days) for public review following the publication of its FONSI determination. Final action will not be taken until this review period has expired. Where appropriate to carry out the purposes of NEPA, RUS may impose, on a case-by-case basis, additional requirements associated with the preparation of an EA. If at any point in the preparation of an EA, RUS determines that the proposed action will have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment, the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement will be required. Any final action by RUS related to the proposed action 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: July 28, 2009. Mark S. Plank, Director, Engineering and Environmental Staff, Rural Utilities Service. [FR Doc. E9–18413 Filed 7–31–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with NOTICES Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service Notice of Funding Availability for the Healthy Urban Food Enterprise Development Center Request for Applications for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 AGENCY: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of funding availability. VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:05 Jul 31, 2009 Jkt 217001 SUMMARY: The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) is announcing the release of the FY 2009 Healthy Urban Food Enterprise Development Center (HUFED–Center) Request for Applications (RFA) via Grants.gov. DATES: The FY 2009 Healthy Urban Food Enterprise Development Center (HUFED–Center) RFA was posted to Grants.gov on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 and applications must be received via Grants.gov by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, August 12, 2009. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Tuckermanty 202–205–0241 (phone), 202–401–6488 (fax), or etuckermanty@csrees.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background and Purpose Section 4402 of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110–246) amended section 25 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 which requires that the Secretary of Agriculture provide a grant to a nonprofit organization to establish and support a healthy urban food enterprise development center. The purpose of the HUFED Center is to increase access to healthy, affordable foods, including locally produced agricultural products, to underserved communities. The HUFED Center will provide training and technical assistance for healthy food enterprises and award sub-grants to eligible entities for healthy food enterprise development. The HUFED Center shall provide two main functions: (1) Provide for training and technical assistance (T&TA) for healthy food enterprises; and (2) implement a competitive sub-grant program for healthy food enterprises. The HUFED Center was created to respond to the need to redevelop a food enterprise structure in the United States in order to make more healthy, affordable food available in low-income areas, to improve access for small and mid-sized agricultural producers, and to promote the positive economic activities generated from attracting food enterprises into underserved communities. The estimated amount available for support of this program in FY 2009 is $900,000. The eligibility criteria for the project and applicants, and the application forms and associated instructions needed to apply for a HUFED Center award can be accessed through the Grants.gov Web site at https://www.grants.gov. PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Done at Washington, DC, this 28th day of July 2009. Ralph A. Otto, Associate Administrator, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service. [FR Doc. E9–18411 Filed 7–31–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–22–P COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Agenda and Notice of Public Meeting of the New Hampshire Advisory Committee Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and the Federal Advisory Committee Act, that the New Hampshire Advisory Committee will convene a briefing meeting and planning meeting at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 14, 2009, at the Legislative Office Building, Room 201, Concord, New Hampshire 03301. The purpose of the briefing meeting is to hear presentations from experts about civil rights issues in the State. The purpose of the planning meeting is for the Committee to discuss possible topics for the Committee’s future civil rights project. Members of the public are entitled to submit written comments; the comments must be received in the regional office by September 14, 2009. The address is the Eastern Regional Office, 624 Ninth Street, NW., Suite 740, Washington, DC 20425. Persons wishing to e-mail their comments, or who desire additional information should contact Alfreda Greene, Secretary, at 202–376– 7533 or by e-mail to: ero@usccr.gov. Hearing-impaired persons who will attend the meeting and require the services of a sign language interpreter should contact the Regional Office at least ten (10) working days before the scheduled date of the meeting. Records generated from this meeting may be inspected and reproduced at the Eastern Regional Office, as they become available, both before and after the meeting. Persons interested in the work of this advisory committee are advised to go to the Commission’s Web site, https://www.usccr.gov, or to contact the Eastern Regional Office at the above email or street address. The meeting will be conducted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Commission and FACA. Dated in Washington, DC, July 29, 2009. Peter Minarik, Acting Chief, Regional Programs Coordination Unit. [FR Doc. E9–18464 Filed 7–31–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6335–01–P E:\FR\FM\03AUN1.SGM 03AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 147 (Monday, August 3, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38391-38392]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-18413]


========================================================================
Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 147 / Monday, August 3, 2009 / 
Notices

[[Page 38391]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc., Notice 
of Intent To Hold Public Scoping Meetings and Prepare an Environmental 
Assessment

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Hold Public Scoping Meetings and Prepare an 
Environmental Assessment.

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

SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) intends to hold public 
scoping meetings and prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) to meet 
its responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
and 7 CFR part 1794 in connection with potential impacts related to a 
proposed project in Colorado by Tri-State Generation and Transmission 
Association, Inc. (Tri-State) and Public Service Company of Colorado 
(Public Service), an Xcel Energy Operating Company. The proposed San 
Luis Valley-Calumet-Comanche Transmission Project (proposed action) 
consists of the following: a proposed 230/345-kilovolt (kV) Calumet 
Substation to be located approximately 6 miles north of the existing 
Walsenburg Substation in Huerfano County; a proposed double-circuit 
230-kV transmission line between the existing San Luis Valley 
Substation in Alamosa County and the Calumet Substation; a proposed 
single-circuit 230-kV transmission line between the Calumet Substation 
and the Walsenburg Substation; and a proposed double-circuit 345-kV 
transmission line connecting the Calumet Substation to the existing 
Comanche Substation in Pueblo County. Tri-State is requesting that RUS 
provide financial assistance for the proposed action.

DATES: RUS will conduct public scoping meetings in an open house format 
to provide information and solicit comments for the preparation of the 
EA. The scoping meetings will be held on the following dates: Monday, 
August 17, 2009, from 4-7 p.m. at the Blanca/Fort Garland Community 
Center, 17591 Highway 160, Blanca, Colorado 81123; Tuesday, August 18, 
2009, from 4-7 p.m. at the Alamosa Recreation Center, 2222 Old Sanford 
Road, Alamosa, Colorado 81101; Wednesday, August 19, 2009, from 9 a.m.-
11 a.m. at the Gardner Community Center, 28 County Road 632, Gardner, 
Colorado 81040; Wednesday, August 19, 2009, from 4-7 p.m. at the 
Walsenburg Community Center, 928 Russell Avenue, Walsenburg, Colorado 
81089-2155; Thursday, August 20, 2009, from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. at the 
Hollydot Golf Course, 55 North Parkway Drive, Colorado City, Colorado 
81019; and Thursday, August 20, 2009, from 4-7 p.m. at the Sangre de 
Cristo Arts and Conference Center, 210 N. Santa Fe Avenue, Pueblo, 
Colorado 81003. All written questions and comments must be received by 
RUS by September 21, 2009.

ADDRESSES: To send comments or for further information, contact: Dennis 
Rankin, Environmental Protection Specialist, USDA Rural Utilities 
Service, at 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 1571, Washington, DC 
20250-1571, or e-mail: dennis.rankin@wdc.usda.gov. A combined 
Alternative Evaluation Study (AES) and Macro Corridor Study (MCS) has 
been prepared for the San Luis Valley to Walsenburg portion of the 
proposed project, and an AES and MCS have been prepared for the Calumet 
to Comanche portion of the proposed project. All documents are 
available for public review prior to and at the public scoping 
meetings. The reports are available at the RUS address provided in this 
notice and on the agency's Web site: https://www.usda.gov/rus/water/ees/eis.htm. The documents are also available for review at the offices of 
Tri-State and its member cooperatives San Luis Valley Rural Electric 
Cooperative and San Isabel Electric Cooperative. In addition, the 
following repositories will have the AES and MCS available for public 
review:

Tri-State Generation & Transmission, 1100 West 116th Avenue, 
Westminster, CO 80234-2814,
San Isabel Electric Association, 893 East Enterprise Drive, Pueblo 
West, CO 81007-1476
La Veta Public Library District, 310 Main Street, La Veta, CO 81055-
0028
Robert Hoag Rawlings Public Library, 100 East Abriendo Avenue, , 
Pueblo, CO 81004-4232
Costilla County Public Library, 418 Gasper Street, San Luis, CO 81152-
0351
San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, 3625 U.S. Highway 160 W, 
Monte Vista, CO 81144-9300
Southern Peaks Public Library, 423 Fourth Street , Alamosa, CO 81101-
2601
Carnegie Public Library, 120 Jefferson Street, Monte Vista, CO 81144-
1797
Lamb Branch Library, 2525 South Pueblo Boulevard, Pueblo, CO 81005-2700
Spanish Peaks Library District, 323 Main Street, Walsenburg, CO 81089-
1842

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The primary purpose for the proposed action 
is to improve the electric service and increase reliability for Tri-
State and Public Service customers in the San Luis Valley and Front 
Range areas. The proposed action would also provide a transmission 
outlet for renewable energy generation in the San Luis Valley. This 
proposed action will assist Tri-State and Public Service in meeting 
their respective transmission needs in the region by using one common 
transmission corridor instead of two separate corridors. This joint 
approach will minimize potential impacts to property owners and the 
environment.
    Tri-State is seeking financing from RUS for its percent ownership 
in the proposed project. Prior to making a financial decision about 
whether to provide financial assistance for a proposed project, RUS is 
required to conduct an environmental review under the NEPA in 
accordance with the RUS policies and procedures codified in 7 CFR Part 
1794. Government agencies, private organizations, and the public are 
invited to participate in the planning and analysis of the proposed 
action. Representatives from the RUS, Tri-State, and Public Service 
will be available at the scoping meetings to discuss the environmental 
review process, describe the proposed action, discuss the scope of 
environmental issues to be considered, answer questions, and

[[Page 38392]]

accept comments. RUS will use comments and input provided by government 
agencies, private organizations, and the public in the preparation of 
the Draft EA. If RUS finds, based on the EA, that the proposed action 
will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human 
environment, RUS will prepare a Finding of No Significant Impact 
(FONSI). Public notification of a Finding of No Significant Impact 
would be published in the Federal Register and in newspapers with 
circulation in the project area. RUS may take its final action on 
proposed actions requiring an EA (Sec.  1794.23) any time after 
publication of applicant notices that a FONSI has been made and any 
required review period has expired. When substantive comments are 
received on the EA, RUS may provide an additional period (15 days) for 
public review following the publication of its FONSI determination. 
Final action will not be taken until this review period has expired. 
Where appropriate to carry out the purposes of NEPA, RUS may impose, on 
a case-by-case basis, additional requirements associated with the 
preparation of an EA. If at any point in the preparation of an EA, RUS 
determines that the proposed action will have a significant effect on 
the quality of the human environment, the preparation of an 
Environmental Impact Statement will be required.
    Any final action by RUS related to the proposed action 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: July 28, 2009.
Mark S. Plank,
Director, Engineering and Environmental Staff, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. E9-18413 Filed 7-31-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
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