[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 141 (Monday, July 24, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 37871]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-18066]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service


South Mississippi Electric Power Association; Finding of No 
Significant Impact

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of finding of no significant impact.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 
has made a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) with respect to its 
action related to the construction of the 230 kV Waynesboro-Missionary 
Transmission Line Project by South Mississippi Electric Power 
Association (SMEPA). The FONSI is the conclusion of an Environmental 
Assessment prepared by RUS. The Environmental Assessment is based on a 
environmental analysis submitted to RUS by SMEPA. RUS conducted an 
independent evaluation of the environmental analysis and concurs with 
its scope and content.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lawrence R. Wolfe, Chief, 
Environmental Compliance Branch, Electric Staff Division, RUS, South 
Agriculture Building, Ag Box 1569, Washington, DC 20250, telephone 
(202) 720-1784.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 230 kV Waynesboro-Missionary 
Transmission Line Project consists of the construction of 36 miles of 
230 kV transmission line. The project will originate at the existing 
West Waynesboro Substation located in Wayne County, Mississippi, 
traverse through the southwest corner of Clarke County, Mississippi, 
and terminate at the proposed Missionary Substation to be located in 
the eastern part of Jasper County, Mississippi.
    The transmission will be designed and constructed for 230 kV 
operation but, will be initially operated at 161 kV. It will be 
supported by H-frame structures. The proposed width of the right-of-way 
is 125 feet. The maximum span between transmission line support 
structures will be 1,200 feet. Most poles used for tangent structures 
will be either pressure-treated wood or concrete. Steel poles may be 
used for inaccessible areas or where unusually tall or high strength 
structures will be needed. Angle support structures will be a three-
pole design and will be made of concrete or steel.
    The West Waynesboro Substation will be upgraded to accommodate the 
new transmission line. This upgrade will involve the installation of 
one 161 kV circuit breaker, two 161 kV group-operated switches, 161 kV 
lightning arresters, associated steel support structures, bus 
conductors, and relaying equipment.
    The proposed Missionary Substation will be designed and constructed 
for 230 kV operation but, will initially be operated at 161 kV. The low 
side of the substation will be designed and constructed for 69 kV 
operation. The major equipment to be included at the substation will be 
two 30/40/50 MVA autotransformers, two 230 kV gas circuit breakers, a 
control house, and a self-supporting communication tower. Approximately 
12 acres of land will be cleared and fenced to accommodate this 
substation.
    Also to be included as part of this project will be the extension 
of an existing communications system to allow data and voice 
communications between the Missionary Substation and SMEPA's 
Headquarters Control Center located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The 
main features of this extension will be the installation of a 270-foot 
self-supporting tower, a 9 by 15 foot communications shelter, and a 
small liquid propane gas powered stand-by generator. This expansion 
will be within the boundaries of Southern Pine Electric Power 
Association's Heildlberg Substation located in Heidleberg, Mississippi. 
It will take up about 0.15 acres of the existing 3.7 acre substation 
site.
    The alternatives of no action, upgrading existing substations with 
a new capacitor configuration, construction of another substation and 
transmission line in addition to the one proposed, and alternative 
transmission line routes were considered.
    Copies of the environmental assessment and FONSI are available for 
review at, or can be obtained from, RUS at the address provided herein 
or from Mr. Joey Ward, South Mississippi Electric Power Association, 
P.O. Box 15849, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, telephone (601) 268-2083. 
Interested parties wishing to comment on the adequacy of the 
Environmental Assessment should do so within 30 days of the publication 
of this notice. RUS will take no action that would approve clearing or 
construction activities related to this transmission line project prior 
to the expiration of the 30-day comment period.

    Dated: July 17, 1995.
Adam M. Golodner,
Deputy Administrator, Program Operations.
[FR Doc. 95-18066 Filed 7-21-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P