[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 2 (Tuesday, January 4, 1994)]
[Notices]
[Pages 303-304]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-93]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: January 4, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Western Area Power Administration

 

Floodplain Statement of Findings for the Fort Morgan North 
Tapline Project, Morgan County, CO

AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.

ACTION: Floodplain statement of findings.

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SUMMARY: This is a floodplain statement of findings for the Fort Morgan 
North Tapline Project prepared in accordance with 10 CFR part 1022. 
Western Area Power Administration (Western) proposes to construct 3 
miles of new 115-kilovolt (kV) tapline in Morgan County, Colorado. The 
tapline would connect Western's existing Beaver Creek-Weld 115-kV 
transmission line with Morgan County Rural Electric Association's 
(MCREA) new Fort Morgan North Substation. The Fort Morgan North Tapline 
would cross the floodplain of the South Platte River in Morgan County, 
Colorado. Western prepared a floodplain and wetlands assessment 
describing the effects, alternatives, and measures designed to avoid or 
minimize potential harm to or within the affected floodplain. This 
action is categorically excluded under the DOE's National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) Implementing Procedures (10 CFR part 1021). Western 
will endeavor to allow 15 days of public review after publication of 
the statement of findings before implementing the proposed action.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Stephen A. Fausett, Area Manager, Western Area Power 
Administration, Loveland Area Office, P.O. Box 3900, Loveland, CO 
80539-3003, (303) 490-7200 FAX (303) 490-7213.
    For further information on general DOE floodplain/wetlands 
environmental review requirements contact: Carol M. Borgstrom, 
Director, Office of NEPA Oversight, EH-25, U.S. Department of Energy, 
1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-4600 or 
(800) 472-2756.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a floodplain statement of findings 
for the Fort Morgan North 115-kV Tapline Project prepared in accordance 
with 10 CFR part 1022. A notice of floodplain and wetlands involvement 
was published in the Federal Register (FR) on October 4, 1993 (58 FR 
51623). Western is proposing to construct 3 miles of 115-kV tapline 
between Western's existing Beaver Creek-Weld 115-kV transmission line 
and MCREA's proposed new Fort Morgan North Substation. The tapline 
would be single circuit and would be constructed on single wood-pole 
structures. Approximately 13 wood-pole structures and two span 
structures (steel H-frame design) would be located within the 
floodplain of the South Platte River. Existing access is available 
along most of the proposed tapline right-of-way. New access trails may 
be required to access span structures located on either side of the 
river crossing. No construction would occur within the river. The 
tapline would span the active channel of the South Platte River. 
Approximately 600 square feet of riparian woodland would be removed on 
either side of the river for the construction of the two span 
structures. This would be a direct long-term impact. About 0.8 acre 
would be maintained as riparian shrubland as a result of project 
maintenance and would also be a direct long-term impact. Approximately 
2 acres would be temporarily affected during construction for equipment 
and construction material staging and would be a minor short-term 
impact. No watercourses or drainage patterns would be altered by the 
project. Flood storage volume would not be affected. The action would 
conform with applicable State or local floodplain protection standards. 
This action is categorically excluded under the DOE's NEPA Implementing 
Procedures (10 CFR part 1021).
    Western will endeavor to allow 15 days of public review after 
publication of the statement of findings prior to implementing the 
proposed action.

    Issued at Golden, Colorado, December 20, 1993.
William H. Clagett,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 94-93 Filed 1-3-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-M