Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Susquehanna to Roseland 500-kilovolt Transmission Line, Appalachian National Scenic Trail; Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Middle Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River, 53226-53227 [2012-20697]

Download as PDF EMCDONALD on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES 53226 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 170 / Friday, August 31, 2012 / Notices project site is located northeast of the intersection of U.S. Highway 7/US–441 and Sample Road. The property surrounds on three sides the existing Seminole Coconut Creek Trust Property, currently housing the Coconut Creek Casino. The Proposed Action consists of transferring the 45± acres of property and the subsequent development of a hotel/resort and other ancillary uses (Proposed Project). At full build-out, the proposed hotel/resort facility would total approximately 47,000 square-feet (sf) of retail space, 54,000 sf of dining, a 2,500 seat showroom, and a 1,000room hotel. The hotel tower would not exceed 275 feet above ground level. Access to the project site would be provided via one driveway along Sample Road, one driveway along SR– 7/US–441, and one driveway along NW 54th Avenue. The following alternatives are considered in the DEIS: • Alternative A—Proposed Project; Æ Sub-Alternative A–1—No Coconut Creek Approvals or Agreements; • Alternative B—Reduced Intensity Alternative; • Alternative C—No Action by Federal Government; Æ Sub-Alternative C–1—No Coconut Creek Approvals or Agreements. Environmental issues addressed in the DEIS include geology and soils, water resources, air quality, biological resources, cultural and paleontological resources, socioeconomic conditions (including environmental justice), transportation and circulation, land use, public services, noise, hazardous materials, aesthetics, cumulative effects, and indirect and growth inducing effects. Directions for Submitting Comments: Please include your name, return address, and the caption: ‘‘DEIS Comments, Seminole Tribe of Florida Fee-to-Trust Project,’’ on the first page of your written comments. Locations where the DEIS is Available for Review: The DEIS is available for review at the Broward County Northwest Regional Library located at 3151 University Drive, Coral Springs, Florida, 33065 and the City of Coconut Creek City Hall located at 4800 West Copans Road, Coconut Creek, Florida, 33063. The DEIS is also available online at: https://www.seminoleeis.com. To obtain a compact disk copy of the DEIS, please provide your name and address in writing or by voicemail to Chester McGhee, Environmental Protection Specialist, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Eastern Regional Office. Contact information is listed below in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice. Individual paper copies of the DEIS will be provided upon VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:22 Aug 30, 2012 Jkt 226001 payment of applicable printing expenses by the requestor for the number of copies requested. Public Comment Availability: Comments, including names and addresses of respondents, will be available for public review at the BIA mailing address shown in the ADDRESSES section of this notice, during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Before including your address, telephone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information— may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Authority: This notice is published pursuant to Sec. 1503.1 of the Council of Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508) and Sec. 46.305 of the Department of Interior Regulations (43 CFR part 46), implementing the procedural requirements of the NEPA of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4371, et seq.), and is in the exercise of authority delegated to the Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs by 209 DM 8. Dated: August 9, 2012. Donald E. Laverdure, Acting Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs. [FR Doc. 2012–21507 Filed 8–30–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–W7–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [MT–LLB05000–LL14300000–FQ0000; MTM 40412] Public Land Order No. 7792; Partial Revocation, Power Site Reserve No. 109; Montana Correction In notice document 2012–18888 appearing on pages 46111–46112 of the issue of Thursday, August 2, 2012 make the following correction: On page 46112, in the first column, in the 8th line from the top of the page, ‘‘Sec. 5, NE1⁄4; SW1⁄4.’’ should read ‘‘Sec. 5, NE1⁄4SW1⁄4.’’. [FR Doc. C1–2012–18888 Filed 8–30–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 1505–01–D PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [SDM 013790] Public Land Order No. 7793; Partial Revocation of Public Land Order No. 1535; South Dakota Correction In notice document 2012–18885 appearing on page 46112 of the issue of Thursday, August 2, 2012 make the following correction: On page 46112, in the second column, in the 22nd line from the bottom of the page, ‘‘NW1⁄4;SE1⁄4;.’’ should read ‘‘NW1⁄4SE1⁄4.’’. [FR Doc. C1–2012–18885 Filed 8–30–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 1505–01–D DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service [NPS–NER–HPPC–10888; 4320-pplb-318] Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Susquehanna to Roseland 500kilovolt Transmission Line, Appalachian National Scenic Trail; Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Middle Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River National Park Service, Interior. Notice of Availability. AGENCY: ACTION: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Council on Environmental Quality regulations, the National Park Service (NPS) has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) for the permit for the Susquehanna to Roseland 500kilovolt (kV) transmission line to pass through three units of the National Park System: The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and Middle Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River. This Final EIS describes and analyzes six alternatives for the transmission line that will guide the decision to grant or deny the construction and Right-of-Way (ROW) permits requested by the applicants. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and the Middle Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River are famed for the recreational, scenic, natural, and cultural resources they contain. Each year, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area receives 5.2 million recreational visitors, and the Delaware SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\31AUN1.SGM 31AUN1 EMCDONALD on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 170 / Friday, August 31, 2012 / Notices River is one of the primary recreational attractions in the park. Approximately 27 miles of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail occur within the boundaries of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area; the Appalachian National Scenic Trail attracts 4 million visitors each year. The existing transmission line ROW predates the establishment of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in 1937, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in 1965, and the Middle Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River in 1978. The applicants, PPL Electric Utilities Corporation and the Public Service Electric and Gas Company, request NPS permission to expand the size of the current ROW, access the ROW through existing natural and cultural areas, construct new and taller power line towers, and remove and replace the existing 230-kV Bushkill-to-Kittatinny (B–K) Line with a new double-circuit 500-kV transmission line (the S–R line). The purpose of the Final EIS is to respond to the applicants’ need in light of the purposes and resources of the affected units of the National Park System, as expressed in statutes, regulations, and policies. The NPS has developed the Final EIS under section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (as amended), and consistent with NPS laws, regulations, and policies, and the purposes of these three parks. The Final EIS describes and analyzes six alternatives (1, 2, 2b, 3, 4, and 5). The applicants have proposed construction of a 500-kV transmission line from the Susquehanna Substation (Berwick, Pennsylvania) to the Roseland Substation (Roseland, New Jersey). The construction and ROW permits would allow the construction through Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Middle Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River, and Appalachian National Scenic Trail in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The alternatives follow existing ROWs to reduce the impacts from construction and operation of the transmission line. Under Alternative 1 (no action), the permit to allow construction of the applicant’s proposal would be denied and current conditions would be presumed to continue. Alternative 2 (applicant’s proposed route) would cross approximately 4.3 miles of NPS lands along the existing B–K Line corridor and require the cleared ROW to be expanded to 350 feet wide. Alternative 2b (applicant’s alternate route) would follow the same route as Alternative 2, but would be constructed within the applicant’s existing deeded VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:22 Aug 30, 2012 Jkt 226001 ROW without expansion. Alternative 3 would cross approximately 5.4 miles of NPS lands along a different existing transmission line corridor and would require a ROW 350 feet in width. Alternative 4 would cross approximately 1.5 miles of NPS lands along another existing transmission line corridor and would require a ROW 350 feet in width. This alternative would not cross the Middle Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River. Alternative 5 would follow the same route as Alternative 4, but would not include a 0.6-mile stretch of NPS land west of the Bushkill substation. Alternative 2 is the NPS preferred alternative and Alternative 1 is the environmentally preferable alternative. The Final EIS analyzes the impacts of the alternatives in detail for geologic resources (including topography and paleontology), flood plains, wetlands, vegetation, landscape connectivity, wildlife habitat and wildlife, specialstatus species, rare and unique communities, archeological resources, historic structures, cultural landscapes, socioeconomics, infrastructure, access and circulation, visitor use and experience, visual resources, soundscapes, wild and scenic rivers, park operations, and health and safety. The Draft EIS was released in November 2011 and was available for public and agency review and comment beginning with publication of the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. Comments were accepted during the 60day public comment period. After this public review, NPS identified the preferred alternative and revised this document in response to public comments. The Final EIS is now available. Interested persons and organizations may obtain the Final EIS online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/dewa. A 30-day no-action period will follow this Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. After this period, the alternative or actions constituting the approved plan will be documented in a Record of Decision that will be signed by the Regional Director of the Northeast Region of the NPS. Notice of approval of the EIS would be published similarly. Dated: August 15, 2012. Dennis R. Reidenbach, Regional Director, Northeast Region, National Park Service. [FR Doc. 2012–20697 Filed 8–30–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312–JG–P PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 53227 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service [NPS–NERO–CEBE–11101; 4240–SZM] Notice of Public Meetings for Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park Advisory Commission National Park Service, Interior. Notice of Meetings. AGENCY: ACTION: Notice is hereby given in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act that meetings of the Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park Advisory Commission will be held to discuss the implementation of the Park’s general management plan. Date: September 20, 2012. Location: Warren County Government Center, 220 North Commerce Avenue, Front Royal, VA 22360. Date: December 20, 2012. Location: Strasburg Town Hall Council Chambers, 174 East King Street, Strasburg, VA 22657. Date: March 21, 2013. Location: Middletown Town Council Chambers, 7875 Church Street, Middletown, VA 22645. Date: June 20, 2013. Location: Warren County Government Center, 220 North Commerce Avenue, Front Royal, VA 22630. SUMMARY: Agenda The Commission meetings will consist of the following: 1. General Introductions 2. Review and approval of Commission Meeting Notes 3. Reports and Discussions 4. Old Business 5. New Business 6. Closing Remarks All meetings are open to the public and begin at 8:30 a.m. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diann Jacox, Superintendent, Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park, P.O. Box 700, Middletown, Virginia 22645, telephone (540) 868–9176. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: All meetings are open to the public. Topics to be discussed include: visitor services and interpretation—including directional and interpretive signage and visitor facilities, land protection planning, historic preservation, and natural resource protection. The Park Advisory Commission was designated by Congress to advise on the preparation and implementation of the park’s general management plan. Individuals who are interested in the E:\FR\FM\31AUN1.SGM 31AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 170 (Friday, August 31, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53226-53227]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-20697]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-NER-HPPC-10888; 4320-pplb-318]


Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Susquehanna to 
Roseland 500-kilovolt Transmission Line, Appalachian National Scenic 
Trail; Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Middle Delaware 
National Scenic and Recreational River

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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

SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 and the Council on Environmental Quality 
regulations, the National Park Service (NPS) has prepared a Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) for the permit for the 
Susquehanna to Roseland 500-kilovolt (kV) transmission line to pass 
through three units of the National Park System: The Appalachian 
National Scenic Trail, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and 
Middle Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River. This Final EIS 
describes and analyzes six alternatives for the transmission line that 
will guide the decision to grant or deny the construction and Right-of-
Way (ROW) permits requested by the applicants.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, 
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and the Middle Delaware 
National Scenic and Recreational River are famed for the recreational, 
scenic, natural, and cultural resources they contain. Each year, 
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area receives 5.2 million 
recreational visitors, and the Delaware

[[Page 53227]]

River is one of the primary recreational attractions in the park. 
Approximately 27 miles of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail occur 
within the boundaries of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area; 
the Appalachian National Scenic Trail attracts 4 million visitors each 
year.
    The existing transmission line ROW predates the establishment of 
the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in 1937, Delaware Water Gap 
National Recreation Area in 1965, and the Middle Delaware National 
Scenic and Recreational River in 1978. The applicants, PPL Electric 
Utilities Corporation and the Public Service Electric and Gas Company, 
request NPS permission to expand the size of the current ROW, access 
the ROW through existing natural and cultural areas, construct new and 
taller power line towers, and remove and replace the existing 230-kV 
Bushkill-to-Kittatinny (B-K) Line with a new double-circuit 500-kV 
transmission line (the S-R line). The purpose of the Final EIS is to 
respond to the applicants' need in light of the purposes and resources 
of the affected units of the National Park System, as expressed in 
statutes, regulations, and policies.
    The NPS has developed the Final EIS under section 102(2)(C) of the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (as amended), and consistent 
with NPS laws, regulations, and policies, and the purposes of these 
three parks. The Final EIS describes and analyzes six alternatives (1, 
2, 2b, 3, 4, and 5). The applicants have proposed construction of a 
500-kV transmission line from the Susquehanna Substation (Berwick, 
Pennsylvania) to the Roseland Substation (Roseland, New Jersey). The 
construction and ROW permits would allow the construction through 
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Middle Delaware National 
Scenic and Recreational River, and Appalachian National Scenic Trail in 
Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The alternatives follow existing ROWs to 
reduce the impacts from construction and operation of the transmission 
line.
    Under Alternative 1 (no action), the permit to allow construction 
of the applicant's proposal would be denied and current conditions 
would be presumed to continue. Alternative 2 (applicant's proposed 
route) would cross approximately 4.3 miles of NPS lands along the 
existing B-K Line corridor and require the cleared ROW to be expanded 
to 350 feet wide. Alternative 2b (applicant's alternate route) would 
follow the same route as Alternative 2, but would be constructed within 
the applicant's existing deeded ROW without expansion. Alternative 3 
would cross approximately 5.4 miles of NPS lands along a different 
existing transmission line corridor and would require a ROW 350 feet in 
width. Alternative 4 would cross approximately 1.5 miles of NPS lands 
along another existing transmission line corridor and would require a 
ROW 350 feet in width. This alternative would not cross the Middle 
Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River. Alternative 5 would 
follow the same route as Alternative 4, but would not include a 0.6-
mile stretch of NPS land west of the Bushkill substation. Alternative 2 
is the NPS preferred alternative and Alternative 1 is the 
environmentally preferable alternative.
    The Final EIS analyzes the impacts of the alternatives in detail 
for geologic resources (including topography and paleontology), flood 
plains, wetlands, vegetation, landscape connectivity, wildlife habitat 
and wildlife, special-status species, rare and unique communities, 
archeological resources, historic structures, cultural landscapes, 
socioeconomics, infrastructure, access and circulation, visitor use and 
experience, visual resources, soundscapes, wild and scenic rivers, park 
operations, and health and safety.
    The Draft EIS was released in November 2011 and was available for 
public and agency review and comment beginning with publication of the 
Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. Comments were accepted 
during the 60-day public comment period. After this public review, NPS 
identified the preferred alternative and revised this document in 
response to public comments.
    The Final EIS is now available. Interested persons and 
organizations may obtain the Final EIS online at  https://parkplanning.nps.gov/dewa. A 30-day no-action period will follow this 
Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. After this period, the 
alternative or actions constituting the approved plan will be 
documented in a Record of Decision that will be signed by the Regional 
Director of the Northeast Region of the NPS. Notice of approval of the 
EIS would be published similarly.

    Dated: August 15, 2012.
Dennis R. Reidenbach,
Regional Director, Northeast Region, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-20697 Filed 8-30-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-JG-P
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