[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 132 (Tuesday, July 12, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-16732]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: July 12, 1994]
VOL. 59, NO. 132
Tuesday, July 12, 1994
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Electrification Administration
Arizona Electric Power Cooperative, Inc.; Finding of No
Significant Impact
AGENCY: Rural Electrification Administration, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Electrification
Administration (REA) has amended its finding of no significant impact
(FONSI) dated February 3, 1993, with respect to the potential
environmental impact resulting from a proposal by Arizona Electric
Power Cooperative, Inc. (AEPCO), to construct and operate a new ash and
scrubber waste disposal facility adjacent to its Apache Generating
Station.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lawrence R. Wolfe, Chief,
Environmental Compliance Branch, Electric Staff Division, room 1246,
South Agriculture Building, Rural Electrification Administration,
Washington, DC 20250, telephone (202) 720-1784.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Apache Generating Station is located
approximately 11 miles southeast of the Town of Willcox in Cochise
County, Arizona. The proposed project consists of constructing a 285-
acre disposal facility that will include two ash pond cells, an
evaporation pond, and a scrubber sludge disposal pond. Due to site
topography, the above ground height of the disposal facility's exterior
dikes will range from 5 feet along the western border to 30 feet along
the eastern border. The dike side slopes and pond bottoms will be lined
with high density synthetic polyethylene flexible membrane liners.
Above ground pipelines will be used to sluice the ash and scrubber
wastes from the plant to the disposal facility. The facility is
designed as a no discharge system.
Alternatives considered to the proposed project included
reconstruction of the existing ash and sludge ponds (no action), total
conversion of the Station to burn natural gas, sale of the ash and
scrubber sludge, dry disposal of ash and scrubber sludge, and
construction of new disposal facilities at a different location. REA
considered these alternatives and concluded in a FONSI published in the
Federal Register on February 12, 1993 that constructing new ash and
scrubber waste disposal facilities at the AEPCO's proposed site was the
preferred alternative to ensure continued operation of the Apache
Station's coal-fired units and compliance with recent aquifer
protection legislation.
Subsequent to REA's previous action, an earth fissure was
identified within the boundaries of AEPCO's preferred site. This issue
was considered significant enough for the Arizona Department of
Environmental Quality (ADEQ) to require an onsite investigation. REA
decided to reevaluate the proposed project based on the results of that
investigation. The amended FONSI is based on a review of the following
information: (1) Combustion Waste Disposal Facility Fissure
Investigation; (2) Public Hearing Transcript on the draft Aquifer
Protection Permit (APP); (3) Responsiveness Summary prepared by the
ADEQ in response to public comments on the draft APP; (4) Final APP
issued on April 22, 1994; and (5) other permits and approvals issued
for the proposed facility and referenced in the FONSI. REA
independently evaluated the above listed documents and other available
information and believes that modified design and additional monitoring
requirements included in the APP will ensure that future expansion or
movement of the fissure and associated seepage from the ponds is
detected. These measures should preclude the potential for adverse
impacts to groundwater quality in the vicinity of the proposed
facility.
In accordance with REA Environmental Policies and Procedures for
Electric and Telephone Borrowers, 7 CFR Part 1794, AEPCO published
notices in the San Pedro Valley News Sun and the Willcox Range News on
May 5 and 12, 1994. The notices announced REA's decision to reassess
its FONSI determination of February 12, 1993, described the
documentation upon which the reassessment would be based, and
identified locations within Cochise County at which these materials
could be reviewed. The comments received did not identify any issues or
concerns relating to the project that: (1) had not been addressed by
the appropriate regulatory authority; or (2) had not been previously
brought to REA's attention.
A copy of the amended finding of no significant impact is available
for review at, or can be obtained from, REA at the address provided
herein or from Mr. Mark W. Schwirtz, Arizona Electric Power
Cooperative, Inc., 1000 South Highway 80, P.O. Box 670, Benson, Arizona
85602, during normal business hours.
Dated: July 1, 1994.
Adam M. Golodner,
Deputy Administrator, Program Operations.
[FR Doc. 94-16732 Filed 7-11-94; 8:45 am]
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