Tongass National Forest: Alaska, Kake to Petersburg Transmission Line Intertie, 43707-43709 [2014-17669]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Forest Service

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 144 (Monday, July 28, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43707-43709]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-17669]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Tongass National Forest: Alaska, Kake to Petersburg Transmission 
Line Intertie

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Corrected Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement; Correction

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SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, will prepare an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) on a proposal to construct, 
operate and maintain a new electrical transmission line intertie that 
would extend west across the Tongass National Forest from the 
Petersburg area to the community of Kake. The proposed action is to 
construct a new transmission line, and associated features, that would 
transmit power at either 69 or 138 kilovolt (kV) and consist of single 
wood-pole structures with horizontal post insulators, with average span 
of lengths between poles of 350 to 400 feet. The proposed project would 
also include a 24-strand fiber optic communication cable. Construction 
access would be via existing roads, temporary shovel trails and matting 
panels, and temporary access spurs, with helicopter support as needed. 
The proposed project would cross National Forest System (NFS) lands in 
the Petersburg Ranger District of the Tongass National Forest. The 
length of the proposed electrical transmission line is approximately 60 
miles and would follow a route identified as a Transportation and 
Utility Systems (TUS) land use designation (LUD) corridor; labeled 
``Potential Power Transmission Corridor'' on the 2008 Tongass National 
Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) LUD map. An 
estimated 59 percent, or 35.2 miles, of the overhead portion of the 
proposed transmission line would follow existing roads. No new road 
segments would be built; existing roads would be used for long-term 
maintenance access where possible.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by August 27, 2014. The draft environmental impact statement is 
expected September 2014 and the final environmental impact statement is 
expected May 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may comment on the project in the following ways: Send 
written comments to Petersburg Ranger District, Tongass National 
Forest, P.O. Box 1328, Petersburg, AK. 99833 ATTN: Kake-Petersburg 
Intertie Project or hand-delivered to 12 N. Nordic Drive, Petersburg, 
AK. Comments may also be sent via email to comments-alaska-tongass-petersburg@fs.fed.us, with ``Kake-Petersburg Intertie Project'' in the 
subject line. Comments can be sent via facsimile to 907-772-5995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposal and EIS 
should be directed to Tom Parker, Petersburg Ranger District, Tongass 
National Forest, P.O. Box 1328, Petersburg, AK 99833 or (907) 772-5974. 
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:
    Background: The Southeast Alaska Power Agency (SEAPA), the project 
proponent, is a joint action agency organized and existing pursuant to 
the laws of the State of Alaska. SEAPA's member utilities (Ketchikan, 
Wrangell and Petersburg) provide electric utility services to their 
respective service areas utilizing power generated by SEAPA's 
facilities. These three communities are part of SEAPA's interconnected 
network, which include the Swan Lake and Lake Tyee hydroelectric 
projects and approximately 175 miles of transmission line that span 
from Ketchikan to Petersburg. The proposed Kake to Petersburg Intertie 
(KPI) project would connect Kake to SEAPA's interconnected network and 
provide relatively low cost electricity to the community of Kake.

Purpose and Need for Action

    The community of Kake is presently served by an isolated electric 
system that depends upon high-cost, diesel generation. This isolated 
system is served by a diesel plant that consists of three diesel 
generators. High operation and maintenance expenses and high fuel costs 
make diesel generators costly to operate. In 2011, the full retail cost 
of power in Kake was more than five times the rate in the larger 
communities of Petersburg, Ketchikan, and Wrangell, and is currently 
subsidized for residential customers and public facilities through the 
State of Alaska's Power Cost Equalization (PCE) program, which is 
funded on an annual basis by

[[Page 43708]]

the State legislature. Commercial customers are not eligible to 
participate in the PCE program, who pay the full retail cost for power 
in Kake. The cost of electricity in Kake negatively affects the 
economic well-being of the community and is a disincentive to economic 
development.
    The need for this action is established by the Forest Service's 
responsibility under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) 
to respond to an application for a right-of-way (43 U.S.C. 1701).

Proposed Action

    The Forest Service proposes to issue a special use permit to 
authorize SEAPA to construct, operate, and maintain the proposed KPI 
Project across NFS lands. The Proposed Action would construct, operate 
and maintain a new electric transmission line and associated facilities 
to connect the community of Kake with the existing SEAPA interconnected 
network in Petersburg, AK. The transmission line would extend north and 
then west for approximately 60 miles. The line would be built to 
transmit either 69 or 138 kV and consist of single wood-pole structures 
with horizontal post insulators, with an average span length of 350 to 
400 feet between poles. The proposed transmission line would originate 
at the existing SEAPA substation south of Petersburg, and extend north 
and northeast toward Frederick Sound. The transmission line would cross 
Frederick Sound and the mouth of the Wrangell Narrows via a 1.2 mile 
horizontal directional bore that would place the cable below the 
seafloor. Once on Kupreanof Island, the transmission line would follow 
the TUS LUD Potential Power Transmission Corridor north through 
Inventoried Roadless Area 213 (Five Mile) and then west through 
Inventoried Roadless Areas 212 (Missionary) and 211 (North Kupreanof). 
From Inventoried Roadless Area 211, the transmission line would 
continue west and northwest to Kake where it would terminate at a new 
substation located near the existing powerhouse. The majority of the 
route is on NFS lands, the route also crosses lands owned by the Alaska 
Department of Natural Resources, the Sealaska Corporation, Kake Tribal 
Corporation, the City of Kake, and Petersburg Borough.

Possible Alternatives

    The previous Notice of Intent (NOI) for the Kake-Petersburg 
Intertie Transmission Line (May 7, 2010; Federal Register Vol. 75, No. 
88, pg. 25195-25197) identified a Center-South route as one of two 
alternatives to the Proposed Action. This route would connect to the 
existing Tyee transmission line, approximately 8 miles south of 
Petersburg, and requires a tap or switch yard. This route crosses 
Wrangell Narrows, proceeds west across the Lindenberg Peninsula, 
crosses Duncan Canal and continues northwest to terminate in Kake at a 
new substation located near the existing powerhouse. As with the 
Proposed Action, the majority of the project would fall on National 
Forest System lands but would also cross over lands owned and managed 
by the Borough of Petersburg, Sealaska Corporation, Kake Tribal 
Corporation, and the city of Kake.
    In addition to the Center-South route, the previous NOI identified 
two Northern Route options: Options 1 and 2. The Northern Route, Option 
1 started at the existing SEAPA substation south of Petersburg and 
followed an existing gravel road 3.5 miles east-northeast to Frederick 
Sound, near Sandy Beach Park. From there, Option 1 crossed Frederick 
Sound via a 3.1-mile-long submarine cable that would come ashore near 
Prolewy Point on the east shore of Kupreanof Island. This proposed 
crossing is the only difference between this option and the Proposed 
Action. Like the Center-South route, this option is being considered as 
an alternative to the Proposed Action.
    The Northern Route, Option 2 originated at the same existing SEAPA 
substation, but proceeded north along Mitkof Highway to near the 
narrowest point of the Wrangell Narrows. Crossing the Wrangell Narrows, 
via a horizontal directional bore or buried cable that would extend 
approximately 1,400 feet, this option then continued north overhead, 
past the city of Petersburg and across Petersburg Creek. This route has 
been eliminated from further consideration due to the potential impacts 
on the unroaded character of the city of Kupreanof, and potential 
impacts to Petersburg Creek, an important area for fish and wildlife, 
recreation and tourism and subsistence.

Responsible Official

    Forrest Cole, Forest Supervisor, Tongass National Forest, Federal 
Building, Ketchikan, AK 99901.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The Forest Supervisor is the responsible official for this action 
and will decide whether or not to permit the construction of the 
proposed electric transmission line across NFS lands, as well as the 
route that will be followed, and any mitigation measures and/or 
monitoring, as appropriate. The decision will be based on the 
information disclosed in the EIS. The responsible official will 
consider comments, responses, the disclosure of environmental 
consequences, and applicable laws, regulations and policies in making 
the decision and will state the rationale in the Record of Decision.

Preliminary Issues

    The Proposed Action and the Center-South route both cross through 
inventoried roadless areas. Road building is not anticipated. However, 
if the construction of the transmission line is allowed, it will reduce 
the inventoried acres and could affect roadless values. Preliminary 
issues identified through scoping for this project included concerns 
that the unroaded character of the city of Kupreanof would be affected 
by the presence of a nearby electric transmission line which could have 
impacts on the quality of life for the residents. Concerns were also 
expressed about potential impacts to Petersburg Creek, an important 
area for fish and wildlife, recreation and tourism, and subsistence 
activities. These two issues have been mitigated by dropping the 
Northern Route, Option 2 as an alternative.

Permits or Licenses Required

    Forest Service: Special use permit to construct, operate and 
maintain the proposed transmission line across NFS lands. Permits to 
survey the authorized right-of-way.
    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Approval of discharge of dredged or 
fill material into the waters of the United States (404 of the Clean 
Water Act). Approval of construction or work in navigable of the United 
States which includes Wrangell Narrows and Duncan Canal, depending on 
the alternative selected.
    EPA: Stormwater discharge permits.
    U.S. Coast Guard: Coordination to ensure appropriate clearance for 
lines over water; generally handled through the Corps' permitting 
authority.
    Federal Aviation Administration: Notice of proposed construction.
    Alaska DNR: Authorization for occupancy and use of tidelands and 
submerged lands. Right-of-way to construct the proposed transmission 
line. ANILCA 906(k) compliance.
    ADEC: Certificate of Reasonsable Assurance. Certification of 
compliance with the Alaska Water Qualtiy Standards. Solid Waste 
Disposal Permit.
    ADF&G: Habitat protection permits addressing conditions and timing 
of stream crossings and maintenance of

[[Page 43709]]

vegetation. Title 16 fish habitat permit for any disturbance of 
anadromous fish streams.

Scoping Process

    This NOI re-initiates the scoping process, which guides the 
development of the EIS. Public participation will be especially 
important at several points during the analysis. The Petersburg Ranger 
District is seeking information and comments from Federal, State, and 
local agencies, tribal organizations, individuals, businesses and 
organizations that may be interesed in, or affected by, the proposed 
project. This project was originally scoped under the NOI on May 7, 
2010. This correction notice is filed since the Proposed Action has 
changed. Additionally the project was originally scoped under the 36 
CFR 215 Notice, Comment and Appeal Procedures. The 215 appeal 
procedures have been replaced by the Project-Level Pre-decisional 
Administrative Review Process, 36 CFR Part 218 as of March 27, 2013. 
The ``objection process'' allows parties who have submitted timely, 
specific written comments during Forest Service-announced public 
comment periods, such as this scoping period or when the Draft EIS goes 
out for public comment, to object to the decision being drafted. No 
public meetings are to be held with the release of this NOI. Public 
meetings will be held in Petersburg and Kake in conjunction with the 
release of the Draft EIS in September.
    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. 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 during the earlier scoping period are part of the project 
record and do not need to be re-submitted.

    Dated: July 18, 2014.
Forrest Cole,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2014-17669 Filed 7-25-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P