[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