Hot Springs to Anaconda Transmission Line Rebuild Project, 40094-40095 [2014-16243]

Download as PDF 40094 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 133 / Friday, July 11, 2014 / Notices explanation of the competitive injury to the submitting person which would result from public disclosure; (6) when such information might lose its confidential character due to the passage of time; and (7) why disclosure of the information would be contrary to the public interest. It is DOE’s policy that all comments may be included in the public docket, without change and as received, including any personal information provided in the comments (except information deemed to be exempt from public disclosure). Issued in Washington, DC, on July 8, 2014. Michele Torrusio, QER Secretariat, QER Interagency Task Force, U.S. Department of Energy. [FR Doc. 2014–16241 Filed 7–10–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Bonneville Power Administration Hot Springs to Anaconda Transmission Line Rebuild Project Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), Department of Energy (DOE). ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and notice of floodplain and wetland assessment. SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), BPA intends to prepare an EIS on its proposed rebuild of approximately 120 miles of existing 230-kiliovolt (kV) wood-pole transmission line that runs through Sanders, Lake, Missoula, Granite, Powell, and Deer Lodge counties, Montana. The deteriorated condition of the more than 60-year-old line compromises BPA’s ability to maintain reliable electric service, and poses a safety risk to the public and maintenance crews. With this notice, BPA is initiating the public scoping process for the EIS and is requesting comments about the potential environmental impacts it should consider as it prepares the EIS for the proposed project. In accordance with DOE regulations for compliance with floodplain and wetland environmental review requirements, BPA will prepare a floodplain and wetlands assessment that identifies, evaluates, and as appropriate, implements actions to avoid or minimize potential harm to or within any affected floodplains and wetlands. The assessment will be included in the EIS. DATES: Written comments are due to the address below by August 12, 2014. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 20:23 Jul 10, 2014 Jkt 232001 Comments may also be made at three EIS scoping meetings to be held on the 29th, 30th, and 31st of July, 2014 at the addresses below. ADDRESSES: Comments and suggestions on the proposed scope of the Draft EIS for this project and requests to be placed on the project mailing list may be mailed by letter to Bonneville Power Administration, Public Affairs—DKC–7, P.O. Box 14428, Portland, OR 97292– 4428. Or you may FAX them to 503– 230–3285; submit them on-line at www.bpa.gov/comment; or email them to comment@bpa.gov. Scoping meetings will be held in Montana from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the following locations: July 29, 2014 at the Missoula Fire Department, Station 4, 3011 Latimor Street, Missoula; on July 30, 2014 at the Dixon Senior Citizens Center, 106 3rd Street, Dixon; and on July 31, 2014 at the William K. Kohrs Memorial Library, 501 Missouri Avenue, Deer Lodge. At these informal, open-house meetings, BPA will provide project information and maps. Members of the project team will be available to answer questions and accept verbal and written comments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Corkran, Environmental Coordinator, Bonneville Power Administration—KEC–4, P.O. Box 3621, Portland, Oregon, 97208–3621; toll-free telephone number 1–800–622–4519; direct number 503–230–7646; fax number 503–230–5699; or email at dfcorkran@bpa.gov. You may also contact Chad Hamel, Project Manager, Bonneville Power Administration— TEP–TPP–1, P.O. Box 3621, Portland, Oregon, 97208–3621; toll-free telephone 1–800–622–4519; direct telephone 360– 619–6557; or email cjhamel@bpa.gov. Additional information can be found at the project Web site: www.bpa.gov/goto/ HotSpringsAnaconda. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BPA proposes to rebuild three existing woodpole transmission lines—the Hot Springs-Rattlesnake, RattlesnakeGarrison, and Garrison-Anaconda lines—that run consecutively from Hot Springs, Montana to Anaconda, Montana. No major work has been done on the lines since they were built in 1952. Many of the structures, the electric wire (conductor), and associated structural components (cross arms, insulators, and dampers) are physically worn and structurally unsound in places. The wood transmission poles have lasted beyond the expected 55 to 60 years and now need to be replaced due to age, rot, and deterioration. Rebuilding the deteriorated line would maintain reliable electrical service and PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 avoid risks to the safety of the public and maintenance crews. The project would include removing and replacing existing wood-pole structures and components, as well as the conductor; improving access roads and establishing temporary access where needed; removing trees adjacent to the line that may cause a threat to reliability; developing temporary staging areas for storage of project materials; and revegetating areas disturbed by construction activities. The existing structures would be replaced with structures of similar design within or near to their existing locations. The line would continue to operate at 230 kV. Proposed activities would also include the installation of new line disconnect switches at the Hot Springs and Garrison substations, and upgrading the existing fiber optic line that is attached to the Hot Springs-Rattlesnake and Rattlesnake-Garrison transmission line structures. Alternatives Proposed for Consideration: In addition to the Proposed Action, BPA will evaluate the No Action Alternative as well as any additional viable alternatives brought forward during the scoping process. Under the No Action Alternative, BPA would not rebuild the line and would make repairs on an as-needed or emergency basis. Public Participation and Identification of Environmental Issues: The potential environmental issues identified for most transmission line projects include land use, cultural resources, visual impacts, sensitive plants and animals, erosion/soils, wetlands, floodplains, and fish and water resources. The existing lines cross about 50 miles of the Flathead Indian Reservation, small portions of the Lolo and Beaverhead-Deer Lodge National Forests, several miles of State land, as well as private land. BPA has established a 30-day scoping period during which affected landowners, concerned citizens, special interest groups, local governments, and any other interested parties are invited to comment on the scope of the proposed EIS. Scoping will help BPA ensure that a full range of issues related to this proposal is addressed in the EIS, and also help identify significant or potentially significant impacts that may result from the proposed project. When completed, the Draft EIS will be circulated for review and comment, and BPA will hold at least one public comment meeting for the Draft EIS. BPA will consider and respond in the Final EIS to comments received on the Draft EIS. BPA’s subsequent decision will be documented in a Record of Decision. E:\FR\FM\11JYN1.SGM 11JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 133 / Friday, July 11, 2014 / Notices Issued in Portland, Oregon, on June 19, 2014. Elliot Mainzer, Administrator and Chief Executive Officer. [FR Doc. 2014–16243 Filed 7–10–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket Nos. CP14–504–000; PF14–3–000] tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC; Notice of Application Take notice that on June 23, 2014, Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company LLC (Transco), 2800 Post Oak Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77056, filed in the above referenced docket an application pursuant to section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA), and Part 157 of the Commission’s regulations requesting authorization to construct and operate the Rock Springs Expansion Project (Project), all as more fully set forth in the application which is on file with the Commission and open to public inspection. The filing is available for review at the Commission in the Public Reference Room or may be viewed on the Commission’s Web site web at https://www.ferc.gov using the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, contact FERC at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or call toll-free, (886) 208–3676 or TYY, (202) 502–8659. Any questions concerning this application may be directed to Bill Hammons, P.O. Box 1396, Houston, Texas 77251, by telephone at (713) 215– 2130. Specifically, the Project consists of approximately 11.17 miles, 20-inch diameter pipeline lateral, a 4,000 horsepower compression station, and appurtenant facilities in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and Cecil County, Maryland. Transco has executed a binding precedent agreement with ODEC for 100% of the capacity. The Project will enable Transco to provide 192 million cubic feet per day of incremental firm transportation capacity from Transco’s Station 210 Zone 6 Pool in Mercer County, New Jersey to Old Dominion Electric Cooperative’s (ODEC) proposed Wildcat Point Generating Facility in Cecil County, Maryland. Transco proposes that the firm transportation service will be rendered pursuant to Rate Schedule FT of Transco’s FERC Gas Tariff and Transco’s VerDate Mar<15>2010 20:23 Jul 10, 2014 Jkt 232001 blanket certificate under Part 284 (G) of the Commission’s regulations. The approximate cost for the Project is $79,476,150. On October 16, 2013, the Commission staff granted Transco’s request to utilize the Pre-Filing Process and assigned Docket No. PF14–3–000 to staff activities involved in the Project. Now, as of the filing of the June 23, 2014 application, the Pre-Filing Process for this project has ended. From this time forward, this proceeding will be conducted in Docket No. CP14–504– 000, as noted in the caption of this Notice. Pursuant to section 157.9 of the Commission’s rules (18 CFR 157.9), within 90 days of this Notice, the Commission staff will either: Complete its environmental assessment (EA) and place it into the Commission’s public record (eLibrary) for this proceeding; or issue a Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review. If a Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review is issued, it will indicate, among other milestones, the anticipated date for the Commission staff’s issuance of the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) or EA for this proposal. The filing of the EA in the Commission’s public record for this proceeding or the issuance of a Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review will serve to notify federal and state agencies of the timing for the completion of all necessary reviews, and the subsequent need to complete all federal authorizations within 90 days of the date of issuance of the Commission staff’s FEIS or EA. There are two ways to become involved in the Commission’s review of this project. First, any person wishing to obtain legal status by becoming a party to the proceedings for this project should, on or before the comment date stated below file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426, a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214 or 385.211) and the Regulations under the NGA (18 CFR 157.10). A person obtaining party status will be placed on the service list maintained by the Secretary of the Commission and will receive copies of all documents filed by the applicant and by all other parties. A party must submit seven copies of filings made in the proceeding with the Commission and must mail a copy to the applicant and to every other party. Only parties to the proceeding can ask for court review of Commission orders in the proceeding. However, a person does not have to intervene in order to have comments PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 40095 considered. The second way to participate is by filing with the Secretary of the Commission, as soon as possible, an original and two copies of comments in support of or in opposition to this project. The Commission will consider these comments in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but the filing of a comment alone will not serve to make the filer a party to the proceeding. The Commission’s rules require that persons filing comments in opposition to the project provide copies of their protests only to the party or parties directly involved in the protest. Persons who wish to comment only on the environmental review of this project should submit an original and two copies of their comments to the Secretary of the Commission. Environmental commentors will be placed on the Commission’s environmental mailing list, will receive copies of the environmental documents, and will be notified of meetings associated with the Commission’s environmental review process. Environmental commentors will not be required to serve copies of filed documents on all other parties. However, the non-party commentors will not receive copies of all documents filed by other parties or issued by the Commission (except for the mailing of environmental documents issued by the Commission) and will not have the right to seek court review of the Commission’s final order. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings of comments, protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the ‘‘eFiling’’ link at https:// www.ferc.gov. Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 7 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426. Comment Date: 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on July 24, 2014. Dated: July 3, 2014. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2014–16194 Filed 7–10–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P E:\FR\FM\11JYN1.SGM 11JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 133 (Friday, July 11, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40094-40095]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-16243]


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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Bonneville Power Administration


Hot Springs to Anaconda Transmission Line Rebuild Project

AGENCY: Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), Department of Energy 
(DOE). ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) and notice of floodplain and wetland assessment.
SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA), BPA intends to prepare an EIS on its proposed rebuild of 
approximately 120 miles of existing 230-kiliovolt (kV) wood-pole 
transmission line that runs through Sanders, Lake, Missoula, Granite, 
Powell, and Deer Lodge counties, Montana. The deteriorated condition of 
the more than 60-year-old line compromises BPA's ability to maintain 
reliable electric service, and poses a safety risk to the public and 
maintenance crews.
    With this notice, BPA is initiating the public scoping process for 
the EIS and is requesting comments about the potential environmental 
impacts it should consider as it prepares the EIS for the proposed 
project. In accordance with DOE regulations for compliance with 
floodplain and wetland environmental review requirements, BPA will 
prepare a floodplain and wetlands assessment that identifies, 
evaluates, and as appropriate, implements actions to avoid or minimize 
potential harm to or within any affected floodplains and wetlands. The 
assessment will be included in the EIS.

DATES: Written comments are due to the address below by August 12, 
2014. Comments may also be made at three EIS scoping meetings to be 
held on the 29th, 30th, and 31st of July, 2014 at the addresses below.

ADDRESSES: Comments and suggestions on the proposed scope of the Draft 
EIS for this project and requests to be placed on the project mailing 
list may be mailed by letter to Bonneville Power Administration, Public 
Affairs--DKC-7, P.O. Box 14428, Portland, OR 97292-4428. Or you may FAX 
them to 503-230-3285; submit them on-line at www.bpa.gov/comment; or 
email them to comment@bpa.gov. Scoping meetings will be held in Montana 
from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the following locations: July 29, 2014 
at the Missoula Fire Department, Station 4, 3011 Latimor Street, 
Missoula; on July 30, 2014 at the Dixon Senior Citizens Center, 106 3rd 
Street, Dixon; and on July 31, 2014 at the William K. Kohrs Memorial 
Library, 501 Missouri Avenue, Deer Lodge. At these informal, open-house 
meetings, BPA will provide project information and maps. Members of the 
project team will be available to answer questions and accept verbal 
and written comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Corkran, Environmental 
Coordinator, Bonneville Power Administration--KEC-4, P.O. Box 3621, 
Portland, Oregon, 97208-3621; toll-free telephone number 1-800-622-
4519; direct number 503-230-7646; fax number 503-230-5699; or email at 
dfcorkran@bpa.gov. You may also contact Chad Hamel, Project Manager, 
Bonneville Power Administration--TEP-TPP-1, P.O. Box 3621, Portland, 
Oregon, 97208-3621; toll-free telephone 1-800-622-4519; direct 
telephone 360-619-6557; or email cjhamel@bpa.gov. Additional 
information can be found at the project Web site: www.bpa.gov/goto/HotSpringsAnaconda.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BPA proposes to rebuild three existing wood-
pole transmission lines--the Hot Springs-Rattlesnake, Rattlesnake-
Garrison, and Garrison-Anaconda lines--that run consecutively from Hot 
Springs, Montana to Anaconda, Montana. No major work has been done on 
the lines since they were built in 1952. Many of the structures, the 
electric wire (conductor), and associated structural components (cross 
arms, insulators, and dampers) are physically worn and structurally 
unsound in places. The wood transmission poles have lasted beyond the 
expected 55 to 60 years and now need to be replaced due to age, rot, 
and deterioration. Rebuilding the deteriorated line would maintain 
reliable electrical service and avoid risks to the safety of the public 
and maintenance crews.
    The project would include removing and replacing existing wood-pole 
structures and components, as well as the conductor; improving access 
roads and establishing temporary access where needed; removing trees 
adjacent to the line that may cause a threat to reliability; developing 
temporary staging areas for storage of project materials; and 
revegetating areas disturbed by construction activities. The existing 
structures would be replaced with structures of similar design within 
or near to their existing locations. The line would continue to operate 
at 230 kV.
    Proposed activities would also include the installation of new line 
disconnect switches at the Hot Springs and Garrison substations, and 
upgrading the existing fiber optic line that is attached to the Hot 
Springs-Rattlesnake and Rattlesnake-Garrison transmission line 
structures.
    Alternatives Proposed for Consideration: In addition to the 
Proposed Action, BPA will evaluate the No Action Alternative as well as 
any additional viable alternatives brought forward during the scoping 
process. Under the No Action Alternative, BPA would not rebuild the 
line and would make repairs on an as-needed or emergency basis.
    Public Participation and Identification of Environmental Issues: 
The potential environmental issues identified for most transmission 
line projects include land use, cultural resources, visual impacts, 
sensitive plants and animals, erosion/soils, wetlands, floodplains, and 
fish and water resources. The existing lines cross about 50 miles of 
the Flathead Indian Reservation, small portions of the Lolo and 
Beaverhead-Deer Lodge National Forests, several miles of State land, as 
well as private land.
    BPA has established a 30-day scoping period during which affected 
landowners, concerned citizens, special interest groups, local 
governments, and any other interested parties are invited to comment on 
the scope of the proposed EIS. Scoping will help BPA ensure that a full 
range of issues related to this proposal is addressed in the EIS, and 
also help identify significant or potentially significant impacts that 
may result from the proposed project. When completed, the Draft EIS 
will be circulated for review and comment, and BPA will hold at least 
one public comment meeting for the Draft EIS. BPA will consider and 
respond in the Final EIS to comments received on the Draft EIS. BPA's 
subsequent decision will be documented in a Record of Decision.


[[Page 40095]]



    Issued in Portland, Oregon, on June 19, 2014.
Elliot Mainzer,
Administrator and Chief Executive Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014-16243 Filed 7-10-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P

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