[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 118 (Tuesday, June 21, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-15004]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: June 21, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 

Appalachian Power Company Transmission Line Construction-
Cloverdale, Virginia, to Oceana, West Virginia. Jefferson National 
Forest, Appalachian National Scenic Trail, the New River, and R.D. 
Bailey Lake Flowage Easement Land. Virginia Counties of Botetourt, 
Roanoke, Craig, Montgomery, Pulaski, Bland, and Giles and the West 
Virginia Counties of Monroe, Summers, Mercer, and Wyoming

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Revised Notice--Revises the publication date for the draft and 
final environmental impact statements; establishes the date, time and 
location of four public meetings; changes the telephone number and 
address of the USDA Forest Service, Jefferson National Forest; defines 
the study area the agencies are using in developing alternatives to the 
proposed action; and changes the responsible official for the National 
Park Service.

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service will prepare a draft and final 
environmental impact statement on a proposed action to authorize the 
Appalachian Power Company to construct a 765,000-volt transmission line 
across approximately twelve miles of the Jefferson National Forest, as 
well as portions of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, the New 
River (at Bluestone Lake) and R.D. Bailey Lake Flowage Easement Land 
(at Guyandotte River).
    The federal agencies have identified a study area in which 
alternatives to the proposed action will be developed. The study area 
includes land located in the Virginia counties of Botetourt, Roanoke, 
Craig, Montgomery, Pulaski, Bland and Giles and the West Virginia 
counties of Monroe, Summers, Mercer and Wyoming.
    The Appalachian Power Company proposal involves federal land under 
the administrative jurisdiction of the USDA Forest Service (Jefferson 
National Forest), the USDI National Park Service (Appalachian National 
Scenic Trail) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (New River and R.D. 
Bailey Lake Flowage Easement Land).
    The Forest Service will be the lead agency and is responsible for 
the preparation of the environmental impact statement. The National 
Park Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be cooperating 
agencies in accordance with 40 CFR Sec. 1501.6.
    In initiating and conducting the analysis the federal agencies are 
responding to the requirements of their respective permitting processes 
and the need for the Appalachian Power Company to cross federal lands 
with the proposed transmission line.
    The Forest Service additionally will assess how the proposed 
transmission line conforms to the direction contained in their Land and 
Resource Management Plan (LRMP). Changes in the LRMP could be required 
if the transmission line is authorized across the Jefferson National 
Forest.
    The total length of the electric transmission line proposed by the 
Appalachian Power Company is approximately 115 miles.
    The original notice indicated that the dates, times, and locations 
for public meetings would be made known to the public through the 
Federal Register. The following public meetings have been scheduled to 
provide the public with an update on the federal analysis and to review 
alternative transmission line corridors. The public meetings will begin 
at 7:00 pm and end at 9:00 p.m. at the following locations:

July 12, 1994, New Castle High School, Route 615, New Castle, Virginia
July 13, 1994, Narrows High School, 115 Woodland Avenue, Narrows, 
Virginia
July 14, 1994, Union High School, School Street, Union, West Virginia
July 15, 1994, Waiteville Community Center, Ray Siding Road, 
Waiteville, West Virginia

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Frank Bergmann, Forest Service Project Coordinator, Jefferson National 
Forest. The address and telephone number are changed from 210 Franklin 
Road SW, Caller Service 2900, Roanoke, Virginia, 24001/(703) 982-4348 
to 5162 Valleypointe Parkway, Roanoke, Virginia, 24019/(703) 265-6005.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Appalachian Power Company has submitted 
an application to the Jefferson National Forest for authorization to 
construct a 765,000-volt electric transmission line across 
approximately twelve miles of the National Forest. Portions of the 
Appalachian National Scenic Trail, the New River (at Bluestone Lake), 
and R.D. Bailey Lake Flowage Easement Land (at Guyandotte River) would 
also be crossed by the proposed transmission line.
    Studies conducted by the Appalachian Power Company and submitted to 
the Virginia State Corporation Commission, as part of its application 
and approval process, indicate a need to reinforce its extra high 
voltage transmission system by the mid-to-late 1990s in order to 
maintain a reliable power supply for projected demands within its 
service territory in central and western Virginia and southern West 
Virginia.
    A study to evaluate potential route locations of the proposed 
transmission line has been prepared for Appalachian Power Company 
through a contract with Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State 
University (VPI) and West Virginia University (WVU). The information 
gathered by VPI and WVU, along with other information collected during 
the analysis process, will be utilized in the preparation of the 
environmental impact statement. General information about the 
transmission line route proposal is available from the Jefferson 
National Forest.
    The decisions to be made following the environmental analysis are 
whether the Forest Service, the National Park Service, and the U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers will authorize Appalachian Power Company to 
cross the Jefferson National Forest, the Appalachian National Scenic 
Trail, and the New River and R.D. Bailey Lake Flowage Easement Land, 
respectively, with the proposed 765,000-volt transmission line and, if 
so, under what conditions a crossing would be authorized.
    In preparing the environmental impact statement a range of routing 
alternatives will be considered to meet the purpose and need for the 
proposed action. A no action alternative will also be analyzed. Under 
the no action alternative APCO would not be authorized to cross the 
Jefferson National Forest, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, the 
New River or R.D. Bailey Lake Flowage Easement Land. The alternatives 
developed by VPI and WVU will also be considered.
    The federal analysis will include an analysis of the effects of the 
proposed transmission line along the entire proposed route as well as 
all alternative routes which are considered in detail.
    The significant issues identified for the federal analysis are 
listed below:

--The construction and maintenance of the 765kV transmission line and 
the associated access roads and right-of-way may (1) affect soil 
productivity by increasing soil compaction and erosion; (2) affect 
geologic resources (karst areas, Peters, Lewis, Potts Mountains, 
Arnolds Knob) and unique geologic features like caves through blasting, 
earthmoving or construction machinery operations; and (3) result in 
unstable structural conditions due to the placement of the towers.
--The construction and maintenance of the 765kV transmission line and 
the associated access roads and right-of-way may (1) degrade surface 
and ground water quality due to the application of herbicides; (2) 
degrade surface and ground water quality because of sedimentation 
resulting from soil disturbance and vegetation removal; (3) reduce the 
quantity of ground and spring water due to the disturbance of aquifers 
resulting from blasting, earthmoving or construction machinery 
operation; and (4) adversely affect the commercial use of ground and 
surface waters due to herbicide contamination and sedimentation.
--The construction and maintenance of the 765kV transmission line and 
the associated access roads and right-of-way may affect existing 
cultural resources, and historic structures and districts through the 
direct effects of the construction and maintenance activities and by 
changing the existing resource setting.
--The operation and maintenance of the 765kV transmission line and the 
associated access roads and right-of-way may adversely affect human 
health through (1) direct and indirect exposure to herbicides and (2) 
exposure to electromagnetic fields in induced voltage.
--The construction of the 765kV transmission line may adversely affect 
the safety of those operating aircraft at low altitudes or from 
airports located near the transmission line.
--The operation of the 765kV transmission line may (1) adversely affect 
communication by introducing a source of interference; (2) increase 
noise levels for those in close proximity to the line.
--The construction, operation and maintenance of the 765kV transmission 
line and the associated access roads and right-of-way may (1) adversely 
affect trails (including the Appalachian Trail) and trail facilities by 
facilitating vehicle access through new road construction and the 
upgrading of existing roads; and (2) reduce hiker safety by 
facilitating vehicle access to remote trail locations.
--The construction, operation and maintenance of the 765kV transmission 
line and the associated access roads and right-of-way may affect 
hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, boating and birding opportunities 
and experiences because (1) the setting in which these pursuits take 
place may be altered; and (2) the noise associated with the operation 
of the line may detract from the backcountry or recreation experience.
--The construction and operation of the 765kV transmission line and the 
associated access roads and right-of-way may affect local communities 
by (1) reducing the value of private lands adjacent to the line; (2) 
decreasing tax revenues due to the reductions in land value; and (3) 
influencing economic growth, industry siting, and employment.
--The construction, operation and maintenance of the 765kV transmission 
line and the associated access roads and right-of-way may (1) conflict 
with management direction contained in resource management plans and 
designations; (2) affect the uses that presently occur on and adjacent 
to the proposed right-of-way; (3) affect the wild, scenic and/or 
recreational qualities of the New River; (4) affect sensitive land uses 
like schools, churches, and community facilities; (5) affect the 
cultural attachment residents feel toward Peters Mountain; and (6) 
affect the scenic and/or recreational qualities of the Appalachian 
National Scenic Trail (Appalachian Trail).
--The construction, operation and maintenance of the 765kV transmission 
line and the associated access roads and right-of-way may adversely 
affect the visual attributes of the area because the line, the 
associated right-of-way, and access roads may (1) alter the existing 
landscape; and (2) conflict with the standards established for scenic 
designations.
--The construction, operation and maintenance of the 765kV transmission 
line and the associated access roads and right-of-way may affect 
wildlife, plant and aquatic populations, habitat and livestock because 
(1) habitat are created, changed or eliminated; (2) herbicides are used 
and herbicides may be toxic; (3) the transmission line presents a 
flight hazard to birds; (4) electromagnetic fields and induced voltage 
may be injurious.

    The following permits and/or licenses would be required to 
implement the proposed action:

--Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (Virginia State 
Corporation Commission)
--Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (West Virginia Public 
Service Commission)
--Special Use Authorization (Forest Service)
--Right-of-Way Authorization (National Park Service)
--Section 10 Permit (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
--Right-of-Way Easement (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
--Consent to Easement (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

    Other authorizations may be required from a variety of Federal and 
State agencies.
    Public participation will occur at several points during the 
federal analysis process. The first point in the analysis was the 
scoping process (40 CFR Sec. 1501.7). The Forest Service has collected 
information, comments, and assistance from Federal, State and local 
agencies, the proponent of the aciton, and other individuals or 
organizations who are interested in or affected by the electric 
transmission line proposal. This input will be utilized in the 
preparation of the draft environmental impact statement. The scoping 
process included, (1) identifying potential issues, (2) identifying 
issues to be analyzed in depth, (3) eliminating insignificant issues or 
those which have been covered by a relevant previous environmental 
analysis.
    Public participation was solicited through contacts with known 
interested and/or affected groups, and individuals; news releases; 
direct mailings; and/or newspaper advertisements. Public meetings were 
also held to hear comments concerning the Appalachian Power Company 
proposal and to develop the significant issues to be considered in the 
analysis. Similar public participation opportunities will be provided 
throughout the federal analysis process.
    The draft environmental impact statement is expected to be filed 
with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and available for public 
review by February 28, 1995. This revises the September 1, 1994 date 
previously announced. At that time, EPA will publish a notice of 
availability of the draft environmental impact statement in the Federal 
Register. The comment period on the draft environmental impact 
statement will be 45 days from the date the EPA publishes the notice of 
availability in the Federal Register.
    Reviewers need to be aware of several court rulings related to 
public participation in the environmental impact statement review 
process. First, reviewers of draft environmental impact statements must 
structure their participation in the environmental review of the 
proposal so that it is meaningful and alerts an agency to the 
reviewer's position and contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. 
v. NRDC, 435 U.S.C. 519, 553 (1978). Also, environmental objections 
that could be raised at the draft environmental impact statement stage 
but that are not raised until after completion of the final 
environmental impact statement may be waived or dismissed by the 
courts. City of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 1016, 1022 (9th Cir. 1986) 
and Wisconsin Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp. 1334, (E.D. Wis. 
1980). Because of these court rulings, it is very important that those 
interested in this proposed action participate by the close of the 45-
day comment period so that substantive comments and objections are made 
available to the Forest Service at a time when it can meaningfully 
consider them and respond to them in the final environmental impact 
statement.
    To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues 
and concerns on the proposed action, comments on the draft 
environmental impact statement should be as specific as possible. It is 
also helpful if comments refer to specific pages or chapters of the 
draft statement. Comments may also address the adequacy of the draft 
environmental impact statement or the merits of the alternatives 
formulated and discussed in the statement. (Reviewers may wish to refer 
to the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for implementing 
the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act at 
40 CFR Sec. 1503.3 in addressing these points.)
    After the comment period ends on the draft environmental impact 
statement, the comments will be analyzed, considered, and responded to 
by the three federal agencies in preparing the final environmental 
impact statement. The final environmental impact statement is expected 
to be filed with the EPA and available for public review by August 1, 
1995. This revises the February 1, 1995 date previously announced.
    The responsible officials will consider the comments, responses, 
environmental consequences discussed in the final environmental impact 
statement, and applicable laws, regulations, and policies in making a 
decision regarding this document. The responsible officials will 
document their decisions and reasons for their decisions in a Record of 
Decision.
    The responsible official for the Forest Service is Joy E. Berg, 
Forest Supervisor, Jefferson National Forest. The address is changed 
from 210 Franklin Road SW, Caller Service 2900, Roanoke, Virginia 24001 
to 5162 Valleypointe Parkway, Roanoke, Virginia 24019. The responsible 
official for the National Park Service is changed from John Byrne to 
Don King, Acting Project Manager--Appalachian National Scenic Trail, 
National Park Service, Harpers Ferry Center, Harpers Ferry, West 
Virginia 25425. The responsible official for the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers is Colonel Earle C. Richardson, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 
Huntington District, 508 8th Street, Huntington, West Virginia 25701-
2070.

    Dated: June 10, 1994.
Joy E. Berg,
Forest Supervisor, Jefferson National Forest.
[FR Doc. 94-15004 Filed 6-20-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M