Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative: Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment, 54084-54085 [2010-22063]

Download as PDF 54084 Notices Federal Register Vol. 75, No. 171 Friday, September 3, 2010 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 Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative: Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment Rural Utilities Service, USDA. Notice of availability of an environmental assessment for public review. AGENCY: ACTION: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) has issued an Environmental Assessment (EA) to meet its responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and RUS’s Environmental and Policies and Procedures (7 CFR Part 1794) in relation to possible financial assistance for a proposed project by Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO), with headquarters in Hughesville, Maryland. The proposal consists of the construction of a 30-mile 230 kilovolt (kV) transmission line (which includes a river crossing), a new 230/69 kV switching station, and a 230/69 kV switching station expansion in Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties, Maryland. SMECO is requesting that RUS provide financial assistance for the proposal. RUS is considering funding this proposal, thereby making it an undertaking subject to review under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), 16 USC 470(f), and its implementing regulation, ‘‘Protection of Historic Properties’’ (36 CFR Part 800). DATES: Written comments on this Notice must be received on or before October 4, 2010. ADDRESSES: To obtain copies of the EA or for further information, contact: Ms. Lauren McGee, Environmental Scientist, USDA/RUS, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Room 2244–S, Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250–1571, telephone: (202) 720–1482, fax: (202) 690–0649, or e-mail: lauren.mcgee@wdc.usda.gov. A srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 20:02 Sep 02, 2010 Jkt 220001 copy of the EA may be viewed online at: https://www.usda.gov/rus/water/ees/ ea.htm; at the RUS address provided in this Notice; at SMECO’s Calvert Regional Office, located at: 901 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD; and at SMECO’s St. Mary’s Regional Office, located at: 23365 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SMECO proposes to construct a 230 kV transmission line between the existing Holland Cliff Switching Station in Calvert County to the existing Hewitt Road Switching Station in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. The proposal has five segments and includes: (1) The installation of approximately 18 miles of new 230 kV single pole, double-circuit transmission line from the Holland Cliff switching station to a new switching station located in Southern Calvert; (2) the installation of the new Sollers Wharf 230/69 kV switching station; (3) the installation of approximately 10 miles of new 230 kV single pole, double-circuit transmission line from the new Southern Calvert switching station to the existing Hewitt Road switching station; (4) the installation of approximately 2 miles of 230 kV underground transmission cable circuit across the lower Patuxent River; and (5) the expansion of the existing 230 kV ring bus at Hewitt Road switching station to accommodate the new 230 kV transmission line from Southern Calvert. Throughout the right-of-way, the existing 69 kV poles would be removed, and new 230 kV poles would be installed. The existing 69 kV and new 230 kV lines would be installed on the new poles. This configuration would allow the use of the existing 69 kV transmission line right-of-way and preclude the need for additional easement acquisition. The preferred site of the new Sollers Wharf switching station is located near the intersection of Sollers Wharf Road and Pardoe Road, west of Maryland Highway 2⁄4 and near the Calvert Cliffs tap. Approximately six to ten acres of the 40-acre site would be disturbed during construction. The remainder of the site would serve as a buffer. Construction of the proposal is anticipated for completion in 2015. A Notice of Intent to prepare an EA and hold a scoping meeting was published in the Federal Register on August 27, 2008; in the Enterprise (St. Mary’s County) on August 29, 2008; and PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 in the Calvert Recorder on August 29, 2008. A public meeting was held on September 11, 2008, in SMECO’s Calvert Regional Office located at: 901 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, Maryland. A summary of public comments can be found at the RUS Web site listed in this Notice. As part of its environmental review process, RUS must take into account the effect of the proposal on historic properties in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and its implementing regulation, ‘‘Protection of Historic Properties’’ (36 CFR Part 800). Pursuant to 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3), RUS is using its procedures for public involvement under NEPA to meet its responsibilities to solicit and consider the views of the public during Section 106 review. Accordingly, comments from the public submitted in response to scoping will inform RUS decision making in its Section 106 review of the proposal. RUS has made the determination that the proposal would have no adverse effects to historic properties listed in or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Because the proposal may involve action in floodplains or wetlands, this Notice also serves as a notice of proposed floodplain or wetland action. The EA includes a floodplain/wetland assessment and floodplain/wetland statement of findings. Alternatives considered by RUS and SMECO include (a) no action, (b) alternate engineering solutions (including new generation and five transmission system alternatives), and (c) alternate sites. An environmental report that describes the proposal in detail and discusses its anticipated environmental impacts has been prepared by Black and Veatch. RUS has reviewed and accepted the document as its EA of the proposal. The EA is available for public review at the addresses provided in this Notice. Questions and comments should be sent to RUS at the mailing or e-mail addresses provided in this Notice. RUS should receive comments on the EA in writing by October 4, 2010 to ensure that they are considered in its environmental impact determination. Should RUS, based on its EA of the proposal, determine that the impacts of the construction and operation of the proposal would not have a significant E:\FR\FM\03SEN1.SGM 03SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 171 / Friday, September 3, 2010 / Notices environmental impact, it will prepare a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). Public notification of a FONSI would be published in the Federal Register and in newspapers with circulation in the proposal area. Any final action by RUS related to the proposal 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 RUS’s Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR Part 1794). Mark S. Plank, Director, Engineering and Environmental Staff USDA, Rural Utilities Service. Dated: August 25, 2010. Thomas Malecek, District Ranger/Field Office Manager. AGENCY: Independence Avenue, Washington, DC 20250. Instructions for registering and attending the meetings are in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice. You may submit comments by either of the following methods: • Online: Go to https:// www.fsa.usda.gov/DIAC. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments, or • Orally at the meeting; please also provide a written copy of your comments. ACTION: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: [FR Doc. 2010–22037 Filed 9–2–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Farm Service Agency Dairy Industry Advisory Committee; Public Meeting Farm Service Agency, USDA. Notice of public meetings. As required by the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) announces two public meetings of the Dairy Industry Advisory Committee (Dairy Committee) to discuss farm milk price volatility and dairy farmer profitability, review various industry proposals and analysis, and hear public comments. The Dairy Committee is responsible for making recommendations to the Secretary on policy issues impacting the dairy industry. Instructions regarding registering for and attending the meetings are provided in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice. DATES: Public meetings: The public meetings will be on September 23 and 24, 2010, and October 12 and 13, 2010. Registration: You must register by September 21, 2010, to attend the September public meeting and by October 8, 2010, to attend the October public meeting. Comments: Written comments are due by September 24, 2010, for the September meeting and by October 13, 2010, for the October meeting. ADDRESSES: We invite you to participate in the meetings. The meetings are open to the public. The meetings on September 23 and 24 and October 12 will be held in room 104–A of the USDA Headquarters, Jamie L. Whitten Building at 12th Street, SW., and Jefferson Drive, Washington, DC 20250. The October 13 meeting will be held in room 3074 of the USDA Headquarters South Building at 12th Street and SUMMARY: [FR Doc. 2010–22063 Filed 9–2–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Divide Ranger District, Rio Grande National Forest; Colorado; Big Moose Vegetation Management Project Forest Service, Rio Grande National Forest, USDA. ACTION: Corrected Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. AGENCY: The draft environmental impact statement is expected in the fall of 2010 and the final environmental impact statement is expected in the spring of 2011. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kirby Self at (719) 657–3321. 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: All prior notices: The original Notice of Intent was published in the Federal Register, Volume 74, Number 39, page 9076. DATES: Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22, 36 CFR 220.5(b) and Forest Service Handbook 1909.15, Section 21. srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES Date Time September 23, 2010 ............................ 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. ............ September 24, 2010 ............................ 10:30 a.m.–5 p.m. .......... October 12, 2010 ................................. 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. ............ October 13, 2010 ................................. 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. ............ VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:33 Sep 02, 2010 Jkt 220001 54085 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Solomon Whitfield, Designated Federal Official; phone: (202) 720–9886; e-mail: solomon.whitfield@wdc.usda.gov. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication (Braille, large print, audio tape, etc.) should contact the USDA Target Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In August 2009, USDA established the Dairy Committee. The Dairy Committee reviews issues of farm milk price volatility and dairy farmer profitability. The Dairy Committee provides recommendations to the Secretary on how USDA can best address these issues to meet the dairy industry’s needs. The Secretary of Agriculture selected a diverse group of members representing a broad spectrum of persons interested in providing suggestions and ideas on how USDA can tailor its programs to meet the dairy industry’s needs. Equal opportunity practices were considered in all appointments to the Dairy Committee in accordance with USDA policies. The Secretary announced the members on January 6, 2010. Representatives include: Producers and producer organizations, processors and processor organizations, consumers, academia, a retailer, and a state representative. The Dairy Committee will hold the meetings on the following dates and locations. The meetings are open to the public. The dairy industry and public are invited to provide oral comments at the meetings on September 23 and October 12, 2010, at the time designated on the agenda. Location USDA headquarters, in the Jamie Whitten Building, Room 104–A, Street, SW. and Jefferson Drive, Washington, DC 20250. USDA headquarters, in the Jamie L. Whitten Building, Room 104–A, Street, SW. and Jefferson Drive, Washington, DC 2050. USDA headquarters, in the Jamie L. Whitten Building, Room 104–A, Street, SW. and Jefferson Drive, Washington, DC 20250. USDA headquarters, in the South Building, Room 3074, 12th Street, and Independence Avenue, Washington, DC 20250. Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\03SEN1.SGM 03SEN1 12th 12th 12th SW.

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 171 (Friday, September 3, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54084-54085]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-22063]


========================================================================
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. 75, No. 171 / Friday, September 3, 2010 / 
Notices

[[Page 54084]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative: Notice of Availability of 
an Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability of an environmental assessment for 
public review.

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

SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) has issued an Environmental 
Assessment (EA) to meet its responsibilities under the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and RUS's Environmental and Policies 
and Procedures (7 CFR Part 1794) in relation to possible financial 
assistance for a proposed project by Southern Maryland Electric 
Cooperative (SMECO), with headquarters in Hughesville, Maryland. The 
proposal consists of the construction of a 30-mile 230 kilovolt (kV) 
transmission line (which includes a river crossing), a new 230/69 kV 
switching station, and a 230/69 kV switching station expansion in 
Calvert and St. Mary's Counties, Maryland. SMECO is requesting that RUS 
provide financial assistance for the proposal. RUS is considering 
funding this proposal, thereby making it an undertaking subject to 
review under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act 
(NHPA), 16 USC 470(f), and its implementing regulation, ``Protection of 
Historic Properties'' (36 CFR Part 800).

DATES: Written comments on this Notice must be received on or before 
October 4, 2010.

ADDRESSES: To obtain copies of the EA or for further information, 
contact: Ms. Lauren McGee, Environmental Scientist, USDA/RUS, 1400 
Independence Ave., SW., Room 2244-S, Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250-
1571, telephone: (202) 720-1482, fax: (202) 690-0649, or e-mail: 
lauren.mcgee@wdc.usda.gov. A copy of the EA may be viewed online at: 
https://www.usda.gov/rus/water/ees/ea.htm; at the RUS address provided 
in this Notice; at SMECO's Calvert Regional Office, located at: 901 
Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick, MD; and at SMECO's St. Mary's 
Regional Office, located at: 23365 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SMECO proposes to construct a 230 kV 
transmission line between the existing Holland Cliff Switching Station 
in Calvert County to the existing Hewitt Road Switching Station in St. 
Mary's County, Maryland. The proposal has five segments and includes: 
(1) The installation of approximately 18 miles of new 230 kV single 
pole, double-circuit transmission line from the Holland Cliff switching 
station to a new switching station located in Southern Calvert; (2) the 
installation of the new Sollers Wharf 230/69 kV switching station; (3) 
the installation of approximately 10 miles of new 230 kV single pole, 
double-circuit transmission line from the new Southern Calvert 
switching station to the existing Hewitt Road switching station; (4) 
the installation of approximately 2 miles of 230 kV underground 
transmission cable circuit across the lower Patuxent River; and (5) the 
expansion of the existing 230 kV ring bus at Hewitt Road switching 
station to accommodate the new 230 kV transmission line from Southern 
Calvert. Throughout the right-of-way, the existing 69 kV poles would be 
removed, and new 230 kV poles would be installed. The existing 69 kV 
and new 230 kV lines would be installed on the new poles. This 
configuration would allow the use of the existing 69 kV transmission 
line right-of-way and preclude the need for additional easement 
acquisition. The preferred site of the new Sollers Wharf switching 
station is located near the intersection of Sollers Wharf Road and 
Pardoe Road, west of Maryland Highway \2/4\ and near the Calvert Cliffs 
tap. Approximately six to ten acres of the 40-acre site would be 
disturbed during construction. The remainder of the site would serve as 
a buffer. Construction of the proposal is anticipated for completion in 
2015.
    A Notice of Intent to prepare an EA and hold a scoping meeting was 
published in the Federal Register on August 27, 2008; in the Enterprise 
(St. Mary's County) on August 29, 2008; and in the Calvert Recorder on 
August 29, 2008. A public meeting was held on September 11, 2008, in 
SMECO's Calvert Regional Office located at: 901 Dares Beach Road, 
Prince Frederick, Maryland. A summary of public comments can be found 
at the RUS Web site listed in this Notice.
    As part of its environmental review process, RUS must take into 
account the effect of the proposal on historic properties in accordance 
with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and its 
implementing regulation, ``Protection of Historic Properties'' (36 CFR 
Part 800). Pursuant to 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3), RUS is using its procedures 
for public involvement under NEPA to meet its responsibilities to 
solicit and consider the views of the public during Section 106 review. 
Accordingly, comments from the public submitted in response to scoping 
will inform RUS decision making in its Section 106 review of the 
proposal. RUS has made the determination that the proposal would have 
no adverse effects to historic properties listed in or eligible for 
listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).
    Because the proposal may involve action in floodplains or wetlands, 
this Notice also serves as a notice of proposed floodplain or wetland 
action. The EA includes a floodplain/wetland assessment and floodplain/
wetland statement of findings.
    Alternatives considered by RUS and SMECO include (a) no action, (b) 
alternate engineering solutions (including new generation and five 
transmission system alternatives), and (c) alternate sites. An 
environmental report that describes the proposal in detail and 
discusses its anticipated environmental impacts has been prepared by 
Black and Veatch. RUS has reviewed and accepted the document as its EA 
of the proposal. The EA is available for public review at the addresses 
provided in this Notice. Questions and comments should be sent to RUS 
at the mailing or e-mail addresses provided in this Notice. RUS should 
receive comments on the EA in writing by October 4, 2010 to ensure that 
they are considered in its environmental impact determination.
    Should RUS, based on its EA of the proposal, determine that the 
impacts of the construction and operation of the proposal would not 
have a significant

[[Page 54085]]

environmental impact, it will prepare a Finding of No Significant 
Impact (FONSI). Public notification of a FONSI would be published in 
the Federal Register and in newspapers with circulation in the proposal 
area.
    Any final action by RUS related to the proposal 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 RUS's Environmental 
Policies and Procedures (7 CFR Part 1794).

Mark S. Plank,
Director, Engineering and Environmental Staff USDA, Rural Utilities 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-22063 Filed 9-2-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P

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