Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit and Tahoe National Forest, CA; Calpeco 625 and 650 Electrical Line Upgrade Project EIS/EIS/EIR, 21522-21526 [2012-8579]
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21522
Notices
Federal Register
Vol. 77, No. 69
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
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
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
and Tahoe National Forest, CA;
Calpeco 625 and 650 Electrical Line
Upgrade Project EIS/EIS/EIR
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of intent to prepare a
joint environmental impact statement/
report.
Forest Service
SUMMARY:
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Boundary Establishment for the
Allegheny National Wild and Scenic
River, Allegheny National Forest,
Warren, Forest, and Venango
Counties, PA
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of availability.
In accordance with Section
3(b) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act,
the USDA Forest Service, Washington
Office, is transmitting the final
boundary of the Allegheny National
Wild and Scenic River to Congress.
SUMMARY:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Information may be obtained by
contacting Operations Staff Officer Jim
Seyler, Allegheny National Forest, 4
Farm Colony Drive, Warren, PA or
phone (814) 728–6239.
The
Allegheny Wild and Scenic River
boundary is available for review at the
following offices: USDA Forest Service,
Wilderness & Wild and Scenic Rivers,
1400 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20024; Allegheny
National Forest, 4 Farm Colony Drive,
Warren, PA 16365. A detailed legal
description is available upon request.
The Allegheny Wild and Scenic
Rivers Act (Pub. L. 102–271) of April 20,
1992, designated the Allegheny River,
Pennsylvania, as a Wild and Scenic
River, to be administered by the
Secretary of Agriculture. As specified by
law, the boundary will not be effective
until ninety days after Congress receives
the transmittal.
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Dated: April 3, 2012.
Erin Connelly,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2012–8451 Filed 4–9–12; 8:45 am]
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Notice is hereby given that
the USDA Forest Service (USFS), Lake
Tahoe Basin Management Unit
(LTBMU), together with the Tahoe
Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), and
the California Public Utilities
Commission (CPUC) will prepare a joint
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS),
EIS, and Environmental Impact Report
(EIR) (EIS/EIS/EIR; the nature of this
type of document is described further
below) to disclose the impacts
associated with the following proposed
action: California Pacific Electric
Company (Calpeco) is proposing to
upgrade their existing 625 and 650 60
kV transmission lines to 120 kV in order
to maintain a safe and reliable electrical
transmission system for the north Lake
Tahoe area, while accommodating
currently-expected normal growth in the
area. The 650 line upgrade would
involve rebuilding an approximately 10mile section of transmission line from
Truckee substation to the Kings Beach
Diesel Generation Station. The majority
of this line would be replaced within its
current alignment. The 625 line upgrade
would include approximately 15 miles
of line from the Kings Beach Switching
Station to the Tahoe City Substation. A
significant portion of the existing 625
Line would be realigned to a location
that parallels Mount Watson Road (also
called Fiberboard Highway), an existing
National Forest System road. The USFS
LTBMU is the lead federal agency for
the preparation of this EIS in
compliance with National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and
all other applicable laws, executive
orders, regulations, and direction; the
TRPA is the lead agency for preparation
of an EIS in compliance with TRPA’s
Compact and Code of Ordinances and
all other applicable laws and
regulations; and the CPUC is the lead
State of California agency for
preparation of an EIR in compliance
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with the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) and all other
applicable laws and regulations (hence
the document’s designation as an EIS/
EIS/EIR). All three agencies have
determined that an EIS/EIS/EIR is
needed in order to effectively analyze
the proposal and evaluate impacts. In
addition, the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE), as a federal
cooperating agency, will be responsible
for the scope and content of the NEPA
portion of the environmental document
as it pertains to lands within the
jurisdictional boundaries of the agency
for the project. The USFS, Tahoe
National Forest will be responsible for
the scope and content of the NEPA
portion of the environmental document
as it pertains to lands within the
jurisdictional boundaries of that agency
(outside of the LTBMU).
The project is scheduled to be
completed in three phases, with initial
construction beginning as early as 2013
and the final phase planned for
completion in 2019.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope
of the analysis must be received by May
10, 2012. The draft EIS/EIS/EIR is
expected in January 2013 and the final
EIS/EIS/EIR is expected in July 2013.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to
Calpeco 625 and 650 Electrical Line
Upgrade Project, Tahoe Regional
Planning Agency, P.O. Box 5310,
Stateline, NV 89449, Attention: Wendy
Jepson. Comments may also be sent via
email to wjepson@trpa.org, or via
facsimile to 775–588–4527.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Robert Rodman, Lands Officer, at 530–
543–2613 or email rrodmanjr@fs.fed.us.
Additional project information,
including maps, is available on the
LTBMU web site at https://
www.fs.usda.gov/projects/ltbmu/
landmanagement/projects under
Calpeco 625 and 650 Electrical Line
Upgrade Project.
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: On
January 1, 2011, Calpeco purchased the
California electric service territory from
Sierra Pacific Power Company. The
physical boundaries of the service
territory include the California Lake
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Tahoe Basin and extend north to Portola
and Loyalton and south to Walker in
Mono County. The service territory
includes the north Lake Tahoe electric
transmission and distribution system.
The existing north Lake Tahoe
transmission system is a loop comprised
of a series of 60 kV and 120 kV
transmission lines running from
Truckee to Squaw Valley to Tahoe City
to Kings Beach and then back to
Truckee. The following lines comprise
this loop:
• One 60 kV transmission line (609
Line) and one 120 kV transmission
line (132 Line) from Truckee to
Squaw Valley
• One 60 kV transmission line from
Tahoe City to Squaw Valley (629
Line)
• One 60 kV transmission line from
Kings Beach to Tahoe City (625 Line)
• One 60 kV transmission line from
Truckee to Kings Beach (650 Line)
Electrical demand in the area served by
Calpeco’s north Lake Tahoe system is
the greatest during the winter months,
and typically peaks during the week
between Christmas and the New Year
holidays as a result of electric heating
and ski resort loads. During power
outages in the north Lake Tahoe area
additional, or back-up power is
provided by the Kings Beach Diesel
Generation Station, which is capable of
providing 11 MVA (mega voltamperes 1) of additional capacity. It is
currently the only source of the system’s
ability to maintain the current
maximum system loads while
experiencing an outage on any one of
the four legs of the system (singlecontingency reliability).
Purpose and Need for Action
The north Lake Tahoe electric system
must be able to supply the maximum
load at adequate voltage levels and
without overloading the system
components (‘‘normal capacity’’.) Even
though the system will not incur
maximum load levels at all times, it
must be capable of supplying peak loads
whenever they occur. The noncoincident peak levels are the maximum
loads incurred for this particular area.
Industry-accepted criteria also require
the system to supply peak loads with
any one component out of service. This
situation is referred to as ‘‘reliable
capacity’’ and is why non-coincident
peak levels are used to determine
capacity needs.
Calpeco is proposing the 625 and 650
Electrical Line Upgrade Project for the
1 A volt-ampere (VA) is a unit used to express the
power in an electrical circuit and is very similar to
a watt.
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purpose of maintaining a safe and
reliable transmission system for the
north Lake Tahoe area, while
accommodating currently-expected
normal growth in the area. Presently,
the north Lake Tahoe transmission
system does not have adequate singlecontingency reliability, meaning, if one
of several critical lines is lost as a result
of an intense storm event, fire, or
downed trees, a severe and sustained
power outage could occur in the system
service area. Currently, the 625 Line
experiences the most outages in the
north Lake Tahoe transmission system
due to snow loading and downed trees.
Single-contingency reliability can be
achieved by upgrading the 625 Line and
the 650 Line to 120 kV conductors and
insulators to allow greater capacity in
each line. If one of the critical lines is
lost, adequate capacity would be
available in the remaining lines to
continue providing service to the
system. Utilizing steel poles to replace
the existing wood poles would enhance
the reliability of the lines because they
are more resistant to damage, including
from wildfire. Increasing the reliability
and resilience of the north Lake Tahoe
system would reduce the need to
activate the Kings Beach Diesel
Generation Station. Due to limited total
annual operating hours imposed by the
facility’s permit to operate issued by the
Placer County Air Pollution Control
District, the preferred use of the Kings
Beach Diesel Generation Station is to
reserve the operating hours for multiplecontingency events (outages on multiple
legs of the system).
Additionally, significant portions of
the 625 Line alignment have no
established roads allowing ready access
to the polesa and conductor (i.e., cable
that carries the electricity). As a result,
it is a challenge to repair and maintain
much of the 625 Line, especially in the
winter when heavy snow can further
complicate access.
Proposed Action
The proposed action consists
primarily of an upgrade of the 625 and
650 Lines and associated substations to
120 kV to allow the entire transmission
loop to operate at 120 kV, allowing for
a total capacity of 114 MVA. However,
there are supporting elements to this
primary activity. The six primary
components of the proposed project are
described below, followed by additional
information on further elements of
project implementation.
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Primary Project Components
1. Removal and Reconstruction of the
Existing 625 Line
As part of the upgrade to 120 kV for
the north Lake Tahoe system, Calpeco is
proposing to reconductor (i.e., old
electrical line is replaced with new line)
and reroute the 625 Line with the
objective that the new conductor (i.e.,
wire along the towers) can
accommodate 120 kV capacity and to
align more closely with the existing
roadways in the Project area. The
removal of the existing 625 Line would
involve approximately 15 miles of
conductor and 341 wooden poles. The
new 120 kV 625 Line would consist of
300 steel poles and 16 miles of new
397.5 thousand circular mil (MCM 2) all
aluminum (AA 3) conductor within a
new 40-foot-wide permanent right-ofway. An approximately 10-mile portion
would generally parallel Mount Watson
Road, a National Forest System road
also known as the Fiberboard Highway.
This change is intended to increase
access for construction and maintenance
activities.
2. Rebuild of the Existing 650 Line
Approximately 10 miles of existing
650 Line would be rebuilt in its existing
right-of-way and alignment. This section
would consist of approximately 225
steel poles and 21 span-guy poles (these
poles allow guy wires to span objects
such as roads and water features). Poles
would generally be placed 10 feet from
the existing poles (which would be
removed, as would occur for all project
elements where poles are replaced), but
in some areas new poles could be
further from the existing poles to best
support the system design. The 650 Line
would be reconductored with 397.5
MCM AA conductor to allow
transmission at a 120 kV capacity.
Although the new conductor would be
installed, it would not be operated at
120 kV levels until all elements of the
system are completed.
2 MCM stands for ‘‘thousand circular mil’’, a unit
of measurement used to express large conductor
sizes. The acronym Kcmil is also frequently used.
The first ‘‘M’’ in MCM stands for the Roman
numeral for 1,000, the ‘‘C’’ stands for ‘‘circular’’,
and the second ‘‘M’’ stands for ‘‘mil’’. A mil is a
unit of measurement equal to 0.001 inches (i.e., one
one-thousandth of an inch). MCM or Kcmil is an
area measurement and expresses the area of a cross
section of a cable (not a linear diameter or radius
measurement). 1 MCM = 0.5067 square millimeters.
Therefore, the 397.5 MCM AA conductor used for
the proposed project has a cross sectional area of
201.4 square millimeters. The diameter of this
conductor is approximately 0.72 inch.
3 The term ‘‘all aluminum conductor’’ indicates
that the wire/cable carrying electricity in the
conductor is made entirely of aluminum, as
opposed to copper or some other material.
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3. Realignment of 650 Line Segments
Two minor segments of the 650 Line
would be removed; the segment
originating at the Truckee Substation
and the segment that currently connects
the Brockway Substation with the Kings
Beach Switching Station (which would
be rebuilt as the Kings Beach
Substation). Existing co-located
telecommunications and/or cable lines
at the Truckee Substation would be
transferred to the new poles. At the
Kings Beach/Brockway Substations the
existing poles with
telecommunications/cable lines would
be left in place and poles would be
topped (the extra height that
accommodated the 60 kV line would no
longer be needed).
4. Rebuild of the Northstar Tap Into a
Fold
A ‘‘fold’’ allows for electrical service
to be maintained at a substation in the
event of an interruption in service on
either side of the transmission line
feeding it. The existing 60kV Northstar
Tap would be rebuilt into a line fold
tying into the existing terminals. This
activity would require replacement of
approximately 14 wood poles with steel
poles and approximately 0.5 miles of
397.5 MCM AA conductor to allow for
the line tap reconfiguration to a fold.
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5. Rebuild a 1.6 Mile Section of the
Existing 132 Line
The 132 Line is an existing 120 kV
line that extends from Truckee to Squaw
Valley. In the town of Truckee,
approximately 32 poles would be
replaced and the line would be
reconfigured to allow a double-circuit
configuration with the 650 Line and
allow operation at 120 kV. The new
steel poles would generally be placed 10
feet from the current wood pole
locations.
6. Upgrade, Modification, and/or
Decommissioning of Six Substations
and/or Switching Stations
The Northstar Substation and the
Squaw Valley Substation, and the North
Truckee Switching Station would be
modified to accommodate the new 120
kV loop system. The Tahoe City
Substation would be reconstructed to
operate at 120 kV. The Kings Beach
Switching Station would be rebuilt into
a 120 kV substation, which would
become the Kings Beach Substation.
Additionally, the Brockway Substation
would be decommissioned, equipment
removed, and the land reclaimed. The
future use of this land is unknown at
this time. All substation and switching
station improvements would take place
within parcels owned by Calpeco, and
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except for the Kings Beach Substation,
all work would occur within the
existing fence lines of the facilities.
Other Project Components
Conductor
In most areas where reconductoring is
proposed, the new conductor (i.e.,
electrical transmission cable) would be
of the same type as the existing
conductor; specifically, 397.5 MCM AA
conductor. Therefore, the new
conductor would have the same
appearance as the existing conductor.
An approximately 8.8-mile section of
the 650 line between Kings Beach and
Martis Valley currently has aluminum
core steel reinforced (ACSR) conductor.
However, the new 397.5 MCM AA
conductor installed as part of the project
would not look appreciably different
from the existing ACSR conductor.
Transmission Poles
Calpeco would remove approximately
610 wood poles and replace them with
approximately 569 new steel poles. The
new poles along the 650 Line and 132
Line would generally be located within
approximately 10 feet of the locations of
existing wooden poles. However, some
poles may be situated farther than 10
feet from the existing poles in order to
maximize the efficiency of pole
placement and to avoid sensitive
resources or geological impediments.
Some poles along the Northstar Fold
would be relocated south of the existing
Northstar Tap at a distance of 50 feet.
The new steel poles would be
approximately 7 to 12 feet taller than
the existing wooden poles, which are
approximately 52 feet above ground
level. On average, pole spacing would
be 300 feet apart. In areas where poles
need additional stability, guy wires may
be connected to the poles. Diameter of
the poles would vary between 15 inches
to 19 inches at the base for poles buried
in the ground, and 3 feet to 6 feet at the
base for self-supporting poles that
would be mounted on concrete
foundations. For the most part,
telecommunication/cable lines that are
currently co-located on the existing
wooden poles would be relocated onto
the new poles.
Right of Way Requirements
To accommodate construction,
temporary right-of-ways would be
required for the new 625 Line, 650 Line,
Northstar Fold, and 132 Line. The total
temporary right-of-way needed would
be approximately 221 acres. Calpeco
would negotiate with landowners for
temporary rights-of-way.
Calpeco currently holds easements
from the USFS, USACE, Placer County,
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and various public and private
landowners whose properties are
crossed by the existing 625 Line, 650
Line, 132 Line, and Northstar Fold. The
existing easements are on average 30
feet wide, but would need to be
expanded to 40 feet for the 625 Line and
650 Line for operation and maintenance
purposes. Calpeco would negotiate with
the existing landowners in order to
obtain a permanent easement of 40 feet
for the new 625 Line and 650 Line. No
land acquisition would be needed for
the substation and switching station
facilities because all new facilities
would remain on existing Calpecoowned parcels.
Construction
Project construction would require
access, staging areas, temporary
workspace, and involve various
construction methods to install new
poles and string and tension new
conductor.
Staging Areas
Up to seven staging areas, ranging
from 0.2 acre to 3.4 acres, would be
required. The proposed staging areas are
generally located in areas with preexisting soil disturbance; however, some
would require grading and vegetation
removal. All locations would be fenced.
Staging areas would be placed in the
Joerger Road area near Truckee;
Northstar Golf Course near SR 267;
Kings Beach north of the Kings Beach
Switching Station; Sawmill Flats
accessed from Mount Watson Road; the
Former Batch Plant accessed from
Mount Watson Road; Fiberboard
Highway accessed from Mount Watson
Road; and Tahoe City accessed from
Jackpine Street. Tree clearing would be
required at the Kings Beach, Former
Batch Plant, and Fiberboard Highway
sites. The Tahoe City and the Joerger
Road sites would also be used for
helicopter landing areas.
Temporary Work Areas
Transmission line construction would
require numerous work areas for pole
work, stringing sites, and crossing
structures (wood poles with netting
placed over utilities and roadways for
protection during cable pulling). An
estimated total of approximately 426
acres of temporary disturbance for work
areas would be required including
roughly 910 work areas for pole
installation, 20 work areas for crossing
structures, and 78 work areas for
stringing sites. Each pole work area
would require approximately 0.25 to 0.5
acre, each crossing structure work area
would require approximately 0.25 acre,
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and each stringing site would require a
partial 300-foot diameter circle.
Grading and vegetation clearing
would be required at most sites. Work
areas would typically be accessed by
truck using existing roads or new spur
roads and the transmission line right of
way; however in areas were terrain
limits access, use of all-terrain vehicles
or approach on foot may be required.
Construction at the Tahoe City
Substation would require a temporary
work area outside of the substation
fence line on a USFS-managed parcel.
Access and Spur Roads
Approximately six new spur roads
ranging between 40 feet and 1,790 feet
in length would be required for access
from existing roads to the transmission
lines’ right of way. Access roads
requiring improvement would be graded
level and would generally be 12 feet to
25 feet wide.
Helicopter Access
Calpeco is proposing to remove the
existing 625 Line by helicopter if
overland access is not feasible.
Helicopters would also be used to
deliver and remove construction
material from areas with rugged terrain
or environmentally sensitive areas.
Helicopter landing areas have been
proposed at the Joeger Road Staging
Area and Kings Beach Staging Area.
Phasing and Schedule
The proposed action would be
constructed in three phases as follows:
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Phase 1: 650 Line Rebuild
Phase 1 includes rebuilding/
reconductoring the 650 Line, 132/650
Line Double-Circuit, and upgrading the
structures and conductor to 120 kV
capacity from Truckee to North Star,
and North Star to Kings Beach. Phase 1
also involves rebuilding the existing 60
kV Northstar tap into a line fold tying
into the existing terminals, and the
installation of a transfer trip on the 609
Line and the installation of capacitor
banks at the Tahoe City Substation to
address the immediate issue of lowvoltage conditions. This phase is the
most critical for system reliability and
construction of elements of this phase
could begin as early as fall of 2013 with
the improvements completed and in
operation in 2014.
Phase 2: Upgrade the 650 Line
Terminations to 120 kV Operation
The purpose of Phase 2 is to enable
the upgraded 650 Line to operate at 120
kV. Phase 2 includes improvements to
the North Truckee, Northstar and Kings
Beach substations. This phase would
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also include the decommissioning of the
Brockway Substation with a re-routing
of the 14.4 kV distribution feeders to the
Kings Beach Substation. Construction of
this phase is planned for completion in
2016.
Phase 3: 625 Line Reconductor and
Relocation
Phase 3 involves the rebuild of the
625 Line and improvements to complete
the 120 kV loop. Phase 3 includes
improvements to the Tahoe City, Kings
Beach, and Squaw Valley substation.
Completion of Phase 3 would allow for
the entire loop to operate at 120 kV,
including the 629 Line between Truckee
and Tahoe City that had previously been
upgraded with 120 kV facilities.
Construction of this phase is planned to
begin in 2016 with completion and
operation planned for 2019.
Possible Alternatives
The EIS/EIS/EIR will evaluate
alternatives at an equal level of detail.
The alternatives likely to be evaluated
generally include: (1) A No Action
Alternative; (2) the Proposed Action; (3)
the Proposed Action, but rebuilding the
625 line in its current location with a
40-foot access road; and (4) the
Proposed Action, but use of a doublecircuit line for the 625 and 650 Lines
east of SR 267. Additional alternatives
may be identified that address
significant issues brought forward by
agencies or the public during the
scoping process.
Lead and Cooperating Agencies
The USFS LTBMU, TRPA, and CPUC
will be joint lead agencies in accordance
with 40 CFR 1505.1(b) and are
responsible for the preparation of the
EIS/EIS/EIR. The USACE will be a
cooperating agency responsible for
ensuring compliance with the scope and
content of the NEPA portion of the joint
EIS/EIS/EIR as it pertains to lands
within the jurisdictional boundaries of
the agency.
Responsible Official
The USFS responsible officials for the
preparation of the EIS/EIS/EIR are
Nancy Gibson, Forest Supervisor, Lake
Tahoe Basin Management Unit, and
Tom Quinn, Forest Supervisor, Tahoe
National Forest.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The Forest Supervisor for the LTBMU
and the Forest Supervisor for the Tahoe
National Forest will decide whether to
approve the proposed action, an
alternative to the proposed action, or
take no action to allow the upgrade of
the Calpeco 625 and 650 transmission
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21525
lines and any related facilities on
National Forest System lands managed
by the USFS within their respective
jurisdictions. Once the decision is
made, the USFS will publish a record of
decision to disclose the rationale for
project approval, approval of an
alternative, or denial of approval.
Permits or Licenses Required
• USFS Special Use Authorization and
compliance with Section 7 of the
Endangered Species Act and Section
106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act
• USACE Section 404 of the Clean
Water Act, Individual or Nationwide
Permit
• TRPA Project Permit
• CPUC Permit to Construct
• California Department of Fish and
Game
D Section 1602 Streambed Alteration
Agreement and
D Section 2081 Incidental Take Permit
• California Department of Forestry and
Fire Protection, Timber Harvest Plan
(for trees removed during project
construction)
• California State Water Resources
Control Board
D Water Quality Order No. 99–08—
National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) General
Permit for Stormwater Discharges
associated with construction activity
D Water Quality Order No. 2003–0003—
Statewide General Waste Discharge
Requirements for discharges to land
with a low threat to water quality.
• Lahontan Regional Water Quality
Control Board,
D Section 401 Water Quality
Certification,
D Board Order No. R6T–2007–0008—
Waiver of Waste Discharge
Requirements Related to Timber
Harvest and Vegetation Management
Activities,
D Board Order No. R6T–2005–2007—
Waste Discharge Requirements and
NPDES General Permit No.
CAG616002
D Board Order No. R6T–2008–0023—
Renewed Waste Discharge
Requirements and NPDES General
Permit for Limited Threat Discharges
to Surface Waters
• California Department of
Transportation Encroachment Permit
• Placer County and Nevada County
Special Use Permits/Modification to
Existing Special Use Permit
• Placer County Air Pollution Control
District Permit to Construct and
Permit to Operate
• Northern Sierra Air Quality
Management District Permit to
Construct and Permit to Operate
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• Town of Truckee Encroachment
Permit
Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the
scoping process, which guides the
development of the environmental
impact statement. Two public scoping
meetings will be conducted to provide
federal, state, and local agencies, and
individuals and organizations with the
opportunity to learn more about the
proposed action and to express oral
comments about the content of the EIS/
EIS/EIR, in addition to this opportunity
to submit written comments. The
scoping meetings will be held at the
following times and locations:
Meeting on April 17, 2012 beginning at
6 p.m. at the North Tahoe Event
Center, 8318 North Lake Boulevard,
Kings Beach, CA 96143
Meeting on April 19, 2012 beginning at
6 p.m. at the Truckee Ranger District
offices, 10811 Stockrest Springs Road,
Truckee, CA 96161
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 EIS/EIR/EIR.
Therefore, comments should be
provided prior to the close of the
comment period and should clearly
articulate the reviewer’s concerns and
contentions.
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.
Dated: April 3, 2012.
Nancy J. Gibson,
Forest Supervisor, Lake Tahoe Basin
Management Unit.
Dated: March 30, 2012.
Tom Quinn,
Forest Supervisor, Tahoe National Forest.
[FR Doc. 2012–8579 Filed 4–9–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Eastern Washington Cascades
Provincial Advisory Committee and the
Yakima Provincial Advisory Committee
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of Meeting.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Eastern Washington
Cascades Provincial Advisory
Committee and the Yakima Provincial
Advisory Committee that had been
scheduled to meet on April 12, 2012
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:26 Apr 09, 2012
Jkt 226001
from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Washington
State Parks office, 270 9th Street NE.,
East Wenatchee, WA has been replaced
with an open public meeting. During
this public meeting information will be
shared about the Forest Service Chief’s
10-Year Stewardship Challenge, Yakima
River Basin Integrated Water Resource
Management Plan, Holden Mine
Remediation progress, and an update on
the Forest Plan Revision. This meeting
is open to the public.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Direct questions regarding this meeting
to Clint Kyhl, Designated Federal
Official, USDA, Okanogan-Wenatchee
National Forest, 215 Melody Lane,
Wenatchee, Washington 98801, phone
509–664–9200.
Dated: April 3, 2012.
Clinton Kyhl,
Designated Federal Official, OkanoganWenatchee National Forest.
[FR Doc. 2012–8596 Filed 4–9–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
U.S. Census Bureau
Proposed Information Collection;
Comment Request; Current Population
Survey (CPS) School Enrollment
Supplement
U.S. Census Bureau.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Department of
Commerce, as part of its continuing
effort to reduce paperwork and
respondent burden, invites the general
public and other Federal agencies to
take this opportunity to comment on
proposed and/or continuing information
collections, as required by the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,
Public Law 104–13 (44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A)).
DATES: To ensure consideration, written
comments must be submitted on or
before June 11, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments
to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental
Paperwork Clearance Officer,
Department of Commerce, Room 6616,
14th and Constitution Avenue NW.,
Washington, DC 20230 (or via the
Internet at jjessup@doc.gov)
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection
instrument(s) and instructions should
be directed to Karen Woods, U.S.
Census Bureau, DSD/CPS HQ–7H110F,
Washington, DC 20233–8400, (301) 763–
3806.
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The Census Bureau plans to request
clearance for the collection of data
concerning the School Enrollment
Supplement to be conducted in
conjunction with the October 2012 CPS.
Title 13, United States Code, Section
182, and Title 29, United States Code,
Sections 1–9, authorize the collection of
the CPS information. The Census
Bureau and the Bureau of Labor
Statistics (BLS) sponsor the basic annual
school enrollment questions, which
have been collected annually in the CPS
for 50 years.
This survey provides information on
public/private elementary school,
secondary school, and college
enrollment, and on characteristics of
private school students and their
families, which is used for tracking
historical trends, policy planning, and
support.
This survey is the only source of
national data on the age distribution and
family characteristics of college students
and the only source of demographic
data on preprimary school enrollment.
As part of the federal government’s
efforts to collect data and provide timely
information to local governments for
policymaking decisions, the survey
provides national trends in enrollment
and progress in school.
II. Method of Collection
The school enrollment information
will be collected by both personal visit
and telephone interviews in conjunction
with the regular October CPS
interviewing. All interviews are
conducted using computer-assisted
interviewing.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0607–0464.
Form Number: There are no forms.
We conduct all interviews on
computers.
Type of Review: Regular submission.
Affected Public: Households.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
59,000.
Estimated Time per Response: 3.0
minutes.
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: 2,950.
Estimated Total Annual Cost: The
only cost to the respondents is that of
their time.
Respondents Obligation: Voluntary.
Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C.
Section 182, and Title 29, U.S.C.,
Sections 1–9.
IV. Request for Comments
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether
the proposed collection of information
E:\FR\FM\10APN1.SGM
10APN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 10, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21522-21526]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-8579]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit and Tahoe National Forest, CA;
Calpeco 625 and 650 Electrical Line Upgrade Project EIS/EIS/EIR
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a joint environmental impact
statement/report.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the USDA Forest Service (USFS),
Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU), together with the Tahoe
Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), and the California Public Utilities
Commission (CPUC) will prepare a joint Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS), EIS, and Environmental Impact Report (EIR) (EIS/EIS/EIR; the
nature of this type of document is described further below) to disclose
the impacts associated with the following proposed action: California
Pacific Electric Company (Calpeco) is proposing to upgrade their
existing 625 and 650 60 kV transmission lines to 120 kV in order to
maintain a safe and reliable electrical transmission system for the
north Lake Tahoe area, while accommodating currently-expected normal
growth in the area. The 650 line upgrade would involve rebuilding an
approximately 10-mile section of transmission line from Truckee
substation to the Kings Beach Diesel Generation Station. The majority
of this line would be replaced within its current alignment. The 625
line upgrade would include approximately 15 miles of line from the
Kings Beach Switching Station to the Tahoe City Substation. A
significant portion of the existing 625 Line would be realigned to a
location that parallels Mount Watson Road (also called Fiberboard
Highway), an existing National Forest System road. The USFS LTBMU is
the lead federal agency for the preparation of this EIS in compliance
with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and all other applicable
laws, executive orders, regulations, and direction; the TRPA is the
lead agency for preparation of an EIS in compliance with TRPA's Compact
and Code of Ordinances and all other applicable laws and regulations;
and the CPUC is the lead State of California agency for preparation of
an EIR in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) and all other applicable laws and regulations (hence the
document's designation as an EIS/EIS/EIR). All three agencies have
determined that an EIS/EIS/EIR is needed in order to effectively
analyze the proposal and evaluate impacts. In addition, the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers (USACE), as a federal cooperating agency, will be
responsible for the scope and content of the NEPA portion of the
environmental document as it pertains to lands within the
jurisdictional boundaries of the agency for the project. The USFS,
Tahoe National Forest will be responsible for the scope and content of
the NEPA portion of the environmental document as it pertains to lands
within the jurisdictional boundaries of that agency (outside of the
LTBMU).
The project is scheduled to be completed in three phases, with
initial construction beginning as early as 2013 and the final phase
planned for completion in 2019.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received
by May 10, 2012. The draft EIS/EIS/EIR is expected in January 2013 and
the final EIS/EIS/EIR is expected in July 2013.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Calpeco 625 and 650 Electrical Line
Upgrade Project, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, P.O. Box 5310,
Stateline, NV 89449, Attention: Wendy Jepson. Comments may also be sent
via email to wjepson@trpa.org, or via facsimile to 775-588-4527.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Rodman, Lands Officer, at 530-
543-2613 or email rrodmanjr@fs.fed.us. Additional project information,
including maps, is available on the LTBMU web site at https://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/ltbmu/landmanagement/projects under Calpeco
625 and 650 Electrical Line Upgrade Project.
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: On January 1, 2011, Calpeco purchased the
California electric service territory from Sierra Pacific Power
Company. The physical boundaries of the service territory include the
California Lake
[[Page 21523]]
Tahoe Basin and extend north to Portola and Loyalton and south to
Walker in Mono County. The service territory includes the north Lake
Tahoe electric transmission and distribution system.
The existing north Lake Tahoe transmission system is a loop
comprised of a series of 60 kV and 120 kV transmission lines running
from Truckee to Squaw Valley to Tahoe City to Kings Beach and then back
to Truckee. The following lines comprise this loop:
One 60 kV transmission line (609 Line) and one 120 kV
transmission line (132 Line) from Truckee to Squaw Valley
One 60 kV transmission line from Tahoe City to Squaw Valley
(629 Line)
One 60 kV transmission line from Kings Beach to Tahoe City
(625 Line)
One 60 kV transmission line from Truckee to Kings Beach (650
Line)
Electrical demand in the area served by Calpeco's north Lake Tahoe
system is the greatest during the winter months, and typically peaks
during the week between Christmas and the New Year holidays as a result
of electric heating and ski resort loads. During power outages in the
north Lake Tahoe area additional, or back-up power is provided by the
Kings Beach Diesel Generation Station, which is capable of providing 11
MVA (mega volt-amperes \1\) of additional capacity. It is currently the
only source of the system's ability to maintain the current maximum
system loads while experiencing an outage on any one of the four legs
of the system (single-contingency reliability).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ A volt-ampere (VA) is a unit used to express the power in an
electrical circuit and is very similar to a watt.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Purpose and Need for Action
The north Lake Tahoe electric system must be able to supply the
maximum load at adequate voltage levels and without overloading the
system components (``normal capacity''.) Even though the system will
not incur maximum load levels at all times, it must be capable of
supplying peak loads whenever they occur. The non-coincident peak
levels are the maximum loads incurred for this particular area.
Industry-accepted criteria also require the system to supply peak loads
with any one component out of service. This situation is referred to as
``reliable capacity'' and is why non-coincident peak levels are used to
determine capacity needs.
Calpeco is proposing the 625 and 650 Electrical Line Upgrade
Project for the purpose of maintaining a safe and reliable transmission
system for the north Lake Tahoe area, while accommodating currently-
expected normal growth in the area. Presently, the north Lake Tahoe
transmission system does not have adequate single-contingency
reliability, meaning, if one of several critical lines is lost as a
result of an intense storm event, fire, or downed trees, a severe and
sustained power outage could occur in the system service area.
Currently, the 625 Line experiences the most outages in the north Lake
Tahoe transmission system due to snow loading and downed trees. Single-
contingency reliability can be achieved by upgrading the 625 Line and
the 650 Line to 120 kV conductors and insulators to allow greater
capacity in each line. If one of the critical lines is lost, adequate
capacity would be available in the remaining lines to continue
providing service to the system. Utilizing steel poles to replace the
existing wood poles would enhance the reliability of the lines because
they are more resistant to damage, including from wildfire. Increasing
the reliability and resilience of the north Lake Tahoe system would
reduce the need to activate the Kings Beach Diesel Generation Station.
Due to limited total annual operating hours imposed by the facility's
permit to operate issued by the Placer County Air Pollution Control
District, the preferred use of the Kings Beach Diesel Generation
Station is to reserve the operating hours for multiple-contingency
events (outages on multiple legs of the system).
Additionally, significant portions of the 625 Line alignment have
no established roads allowing ready access to the polesa and conductor
(i.e., cable that carries the electricity). As a result, it is a
challenge to repair and maintain much of the 625 Line, especially in
the winter when heavy snow can further complicate access.
Proposed Action
The proposed action consists primarily of an upgrade of the 625 and
650 Lines and associated substations to 120 kV to allow the entire
transmission loop to operate at 120 kV, allowing for a total capacity
of 114 MVA. However, there are supporting elements to this primary
activity. The six primary components of the proposed project are
described below, followed by additional information on further elements
of project implementation.
Primary Project Components
1. Removal and Reconstruction of the Existing 625 Line
As part of the upgrade to 120 kV for the north Lake Tahoe system,
Calpeco is proposing to reconductor (i.e., old electrical line is
replaced with new line) and reroute the 625 Line with the objective
that the new conductor (i.e., wire along the towers) can accommodate
120 kV capacity and to align more closely with the existing roadways in
the Project area. The removal of the existing 625 Line would involve
approximately 15 miles of conductor and 341 wooden poles. The new 120
kV 625 Line would consist of 300 steel poles and 16 miles of new 397.5
thousand circular mil (MCM \2\) all aluminum (AA \3\) conductor within
a new 40-foot-wide permanent right-of-way. An approximately 10-mile
portion would generally parallel Mount Watson Road, a National Forest
System road also known as the Fiberboard Highway. This change is
intended to increase access for construction and maintenance
activities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ MCM stands for ``thousand circular mil'', a unit of
measurement used to express large conductor sizes. The acronym Kcmil
is also frequently used. The first ``M'' in MCM stands for the Roman
numeral for 1,000, the ``C'' stands for ``circular'', and the second
``M'' stands for ``mil''. A mil is a unit of measurement equal to
0.001 inches (i.e., one one-thousandth of an inch). MCM or Kcmil is
an area measurement and expresses the area of a cross section of a
cable (not a linear diameter or radius measurement). 1 MCM = 0.5067
square millimeters. Therefore, the 397.5 MCM AA conductor used for
the proposed project has a cross sectional area of 201.4 square
millimeters. The diameter of this conductor is approximately 0.72
inch.
\3\ The term ``all aluminum conductor'' indicates that the wire/
cable carrying electricity in the conductor is made entirely of
aluminum, as opposed to copper or some other material.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Rebuild of the Existing 650 Line
Approximately 10 miles of existing 650 Line would be rebuilt in its
existing right-of-way and alignment. This section would consist of
approximately 225 steel poles and 21 span-guy poles (these poles allow
guy wires to span objects such as roads and water features). Poles
would generally be placed 10 feet from the existing poles (which would
be removed, as would occur for all project elements where poles are
replaced), but in some areas new poles could be further from the
existing poles to best support the system design. The 650 Line would be
reconductored with 397.5 MCM AA conductor to allow transmission at a
120 kV capacity. Although the new conductor would be installed, it
would not be operated at 120 kV levels until all elements of the system
are completed.
[[Page 21524]]
3. Realignment of 650 Line Segments
Two minor segments of the 650 Line would be removed; the segment
originating at the Truckee Substation and the segment that currently
connects the Brockway Substation with the Kings Beach Switching Station
(which would be rebuilt as the Kings Beach Substation). Existing co-
located telecommunications and/or cable lines at the Truckee Substation
would be transferred to the new poles. At the Kings Beach/Brockway
Substations the existing poles with telecommunications/cable lines
would be left in place and poles would be topped (the extra height that
accommodated the 60 kV line would no longer be needed).
4. Rebuild of the Northstar Tap Into a Fold
A ``fold'' allows for electrical service to be maintained at a
substation in the event of an interruption in service on either side of
the transmission line feeding it. The existing 60kV Northstar Tap would
be rebuilt into a line fold tying into the existing terminals. This
activity would require replacement of approximately 14 wood poles with
steel poles and approximately 0.5 miles of 397.5 MCM AA conductor to
allow for the line tap reconfiguration to a fold.
5. Rebuild a 1.6 Mile Section of the Existing 132 Line
The 132 Line is an existing 120 kV line that extends from Truckee
to Squaw Valley. In the town of Truckee, approximately 32 poles would
be replaced and the line would be reconfigured to allow a double-
circuit configuration with the 650 Line and allow operation at 120 kV.
The new steel poles would generally be placed 10 feet from the current
wood pole locations.
6. Upgrade, Modification, and/or Decommissioning of Six Substations
and/or Switching Stations
The Northstar Substation and the Squaw Valley Substation, and the
North Truckee Switching Station would be modified to accommodate the
new 120 kV loop system. The Tahoe City Substation would be
reconstructed to operate at 120 kV. The Kings Beach Switching Station
would be rebuilt into a 120 kV substation, which would become the Kings
Beach Substation. Additionally, the Brockway Substation would be
decommissioned, equipment removed, and the land reclaimed. The future
use of this land is unknown at this time. All substation and switching
station improvements would take place within parcels owned by Calpeco,
and except for the Kings Beach Substation, all work would occur within
the existing fence lines of the facilities.
Other Project Components
Conductor
In most areas where reconductoring is proposed, the new conductor
(i.e., electrical transmission cable) would be of the same type as the
existing conductor; specifically, 397.5 MCM AA conductor. Therefore,
the new conductor would have the same appearance as the existing
conductor. An approximately 8.8-mile section of the 650 line between
Kings Beach and Martis Valley currently has aluminum core steel
reinforced (ACSR) conductor. However, the new 397.5 MCM AA conductor
installed as part of the project would not look appreciably different
from the existing ACSR conductor.
Transmission Poles
Calpeco would remove approximately 610 wood poles and replace them
with approximately 569 new steel poles. The new poles along the 650
Line and 132 Line would generally be located within approximately 10
feet of the locations of existing wooden poles. However, some poles may
be situated farther than 10 feet from the existing poles in order to
maximize the efficiency of pole placement and to avoid sensitive
resources or geological impediments. Some poles along the Northstar
Fold would be relocated south of the existing Northstar Tap at a
distance of 50 feet.
The new steel poles would be approximately 7 to 12 feet taller than
the existing wooden poles, which are approximately 52 feet above ground
level. On average, pole spacing would be 300 feet apart. In areas where
poles need additional stability, guy wires may be connected to the
poles. Diameter of the poles would vary between 15 inches to 19 inches
at the base for poles buried in the ground, and 3 feet to 6 feet at the
base for self-supporting poles that would be mounted on concrete
foundations. For the most part, telecommunication/cable lines that are
currently co-located on the existing wooden poles would be relocated
onto the new poles.
Right of Way Requirements
To accommodate construction, temporary right-of-ways would be
required for the new 625 Line, 650 Line, Northstar Fold, and 132 Line.
The total temporary right-of-way needed would be approximately 221
acres. Calpeco would negotiate with landowners for temporary rights-of-
way.
Calpeco currently holds easements from the USFS, USACE, Placer
County, and various public and private landowners whose properties are
crossed by the existing 625 Line, 650 Line, 132 Line, and Northstar
Fold. The existing easements are on average 30 feet wide, but would
need to be expanded to 40 feet for the 625 Line and 650 Line for
operation and maintenance purposes. Calpeco would negotiate with the
existing landowners in order to obtain a permanent easement of 40 feet
for the new 625 Line and 650 Line. No land acquisition would be needed
for the substation and switching station facilities because all new
facilities would remain on existing Calpeco-owned parcels.
Construction
Project construction would require access, staging areas, temporary
workspace, and involve various construction methods to install new
poles and string and tension new conductor.
Staging Areas
Up to seven staging areas, ranging from 0.2 acre to 3.4 acres,
would be required. The proposed staging areas are generally located in
areas with pre-existing soil disturbance; however, some would require
grading and vegetation removal. All locations would be fenced. Staging
areas would be placed in the Joerger Road area near Truckee; Northstar
Golf Course near SR 267; Kings Beach north of the Kings Beach Switching
Station; Sawmill Flats accessed from Mount Watson Road; the Former
Batch Plant accessed from Mount Watson Road; Fiberboard Highway
accessed from Mount Watson Road; and Tahoe City accessed from Jackpine
Street. Tree clearing would be required at the Kings Beach, Former
Batch Plant, and Fiberboard Highway sites. The Tahoe City and the
Joerger Road sites would also be used for helicopter landing areas.
Temporary Work Areas
Transmission line construction would require numerous work areas
for pole work, stringing sites, and crossing structures (wood poles
with netting placed over utilities and roadways for protection during
cable pulling). An estimated total of approximately 426 acres of
temporary disturbance for work areas would be required including
roughly 910 work areas for pole installation, 20 work areas for
crossing structures, and 78 work areas for stringing sites. Each pole
work area would require approximately 0.25 to 0.5 acre, each crossing
structure work area would require approximately 0.25 acre,
[[Page 21525]]
and each stringing site would require a partial 300-foot diameter
circle.
Grading and vegetation clearing would be required at most sites.
Work areas would typically be accessed by truck using existing roads or
new spur roads and the transmission line right of way; however in areas
were terrain limits access, use of all-terrain vehicles or approach on
foot may be required. Construction at the Tahoe City Substation would
require a temporary work area outside of the substation fence line on a
USFS-managed parcel.
Access and Spur Roads
Approximately six new spur roads ranging between 40 feet and 1,790
feet in length would be required for access from existing roads to the
transmission lines' right of way. Access roads requiring improvement
would be graded level and would generally be 12 feet to 25 feet wide.
Helicopter Access
Calpeco is proposing to remove the existing 625 Line by helicopter
if overland access is not feasible. Helicopters would also be used to
deliver and remove construction material from areas with rugged terrain
or environmentally sensitive areas. Helicopter landing areas have been
proposed at the Joeger Road Staging Area and Kings Beach Staging Area.
Phasing and Schedule
The proposed action would be constructed in three phases as
follows:
Phase 1: 650 Line Rebuild
Phase 1 includes rebuilding/reconductoring the 650 Line, 132/650
Line Double-Circuit, and upgrading the structures and conductor to 120
kV capacity from Truckee to North Star, and North Star to Kings Beach.
Phase 1 also involves rebuilding the existing 60 kV Northstar tap into
a line fold tying into the existing terminals, and the installation of
a transfer trip on the 609 Line and the installation of capacitor banks
at the Tahoe City Substation to address the immediate issue of low-
voltage conditions. This phase is the most critical for system
reliability and construction of elements of this phase could begin as
early as fall of 2013 with the improvements completed and in operation
in 2014.
Phase 2: Upgrade the 650 Line Terminations to 120 kV Operation
The purpose of Phase 2 is to enable the upgraded 650 Line to
operate at 120 kV. Phase 2 includes improvements to the North Truckee,
Northstar and Kings Beach substations. This phase would also include
the decommissioning of the Brockway Substation with a re-routing of the
14.4 kV distribution feeders to the Kings Beach Substation.
Construction of this phase is planned for completion in 2016.
Phase 3: 625 Line Reconductor and Relocation
Phase 3 involves the rebuild of the 625 Line and improvements to
complete the 120 kV loop. Phase 3 includes improvements to the Tahoe
City, Kings Beach, and Squaw Valley substation. Completion of Phase 3
would allow for the entire loop to operate at 120 kV, including the 629
Line between Truckee and Tahoe City that had previously been upgraded
with 120 kV facilities. Construction of this phase is planned to begin
in 2016 with completion and operation planned for 2019.
Possible Alternatives
The EIS/EIS/EIR will evaluate alternatives at an equal level of
detail. The alternatives likely to be evaluated generally include: (1)
A No Action Alternative; (2) the Proposed Action; (3) the Proposed
Action, but rebuilding the 625 line in its current location with a 40-
foot access road; and (4) the Proposed Action, but use of a double-
circuit line for the 625 and 650 Lines east of SR 267. Additional
alternatives may be identified that address significant issues brought
forward by agencies or the public during the scoping process.
Lead and Cooperating Agencies
The USFS LTBMU, TRPA, and CPUC will be joint lead agencies in
accordance with 40 CFR 1505.1(b) and are responsible for the
preparation of the EIS/EIS/EIR. The USACE will be a cooperating agency
responsible for ensuring compliance with the scope and content of the
NEPA portion of the joint EIS/EIS/EIR as it pertains to lands within
the jurisdictional boundaries of the agency.
Responsible Official
The USFS responsible officials for the preparation of the EIS/EIS/
EIR are Nancy Gibson, Forest Supervisor, Lake Tahoe Basin Management
Unit, and Tom Quinn, Forest Supervisor, Tahoe National Forest.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The Forest Supervisor for the LTBMU and the Forest Supervisor for
the Tahoe National Forest will decide whether to approve the proposed
action, an alternative to the proposed action, or take no action to
allow the upgrade of the Calpeco 625 and 650 transmission lines and any
related facilities on National Forest System lands managed by the USFS
within their respective jurisdictions. Once the decision is made, the
USFS will publish a record of decision to disclose the rationale for
project approval, approval of an alternative, or denial of approval.
Permits or Licenses Required
USFS Special Use Authorization and compliance with Section 7
of the Endangered Species Act and Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act
USACE Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, Individual or
Nationwide Permit
TRPA Project Permit
CPUC Permit to Construct
California Department of Fish and Game
[ssquf] Section 1602 Streambed Alteration Agreement and
[ssquf] Section 2081 Incidental Take Permit
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Timber
Harvest Plan (for trees removed during project construction)
California State Water Resources Control Board
[ssquf] Water Quality Order No. 99-08--National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for Stormwater Discharges
associated with construction activity
[ssquf] Water Quality Order No. 2003-0003--Statewide General Waste
Discharge Requirements for discharges to land with a low threat to
water quality.
Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board,
[ssquf] Section 401 Water Quality Certification,
[ssquf] Board Order No. R6T-2007-0008--Waiver of Waste Discharge
Requirements Related to Timber Harvest and Vegetation Management
Activities,
[ssquf] Board Order No. R6T-2005-2007--Waste Discharge Requirements and
NPDES General Permit No. CAG616002
[ssquf] Board Order No. R6T-2008-0023--Renewed Waste Discharge
Requirements and NPDES General Permit for Limited Threat Discharges to
Surface Waters
California Department of Transportation Encroachment Permit
Placer County and Nevada County Special Use Permits/
Modification to Existing Special Use Permit
Placer County Air Pollution Control District Permit to
Construct and Permit to Operate
Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District Permit to
Construct and Permit to Operate
[[Page 21526]]
Town of Truckee Encroachment Permit
Scoping Process
This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides
the development of the environmental impact statement. Two public
scoping meetings will be conducted to provide federal, state, and local
agencies, and individuals and organizations with the opportunity to
learn more about the proposed action and to express oral comments about
the content of the EIS/EIS/EIR, in addition to this opportunity to
submit written comments. The scoping meetings will be held at the
following times and locations:
Meeting on April 17, 2012 beginning at 6 p.m. at the North Tahoe Event
Center, 8318 North Lake Boulevard, Kings Beach, CA 96143
Meeting on April 19, 2012 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Truckee Ranger
District offices, 10811 Stockrest Springs Road, Truckee, CA 96161
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 EIS/EIR/EIR. Therefore, comments should be provided prior to the
close of the comment period and should clearly articulate the
reviewer's concerns and contentions.
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.
Dated: April 3, 2012.
Nancy J. Gibson,
Forest Supervisor, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.
Dated: March 30, 2012.
Tom Quinn,
Forest Supervisor, Tahoe National Forest.
[FR Doc. 2012-8579 Filed 4-9-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P