[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 47 (Friday, March 8, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 9483]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-5567]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs


Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Proposed El 
Rancho Electric Substation, Santa Fe County, New Mexico

AGENY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of DEIS and public comment dates.

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SUMMARY: The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is for the 
proposed approval by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) of a one acre 
easement on Indian trust land of the Pueblo of San Ildefonso for the 
Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Cooperative). The parcel is 
located in the community of El Rancho, Santa Fe County, New Mexico. The 
Cooperative intends to construct, operate and maintain a 69/kV electric 
distribution substation and related facilities on the land.
    In a related action, the Rural Utilities Service (RUS, Department 
of Agriculture, is considering the approval of the advance of loan 
funds for construction of the facilities. The BIA is serving as the 
lead agency. The RUS is participating as a cooperating agency.
    This notice is published pursuant to Sec. 1503.1 of the Council on 
Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR, Parts 1500 through 1508) 
implementing the procedural requirements of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Department 
of Interior Manual (516 DM 1-6), and the environmental policies and 
procedures of the RUS; and is in the exercise of authority delegated to 
the Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs by 209 DM 8.
DATES: Written comments must arrive by May 7, 1996, at the address 
given below. We will consider all comments received during this period 
in preparing the Final EIS.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Mr. Charles Tippeconnic, Bureau of 
Indian Affairs, Albuquerque Area Office, Branch of Natural Resources, 
P.O. Box 26567, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87125-6567.
    If you would like a copy of this DEIS, please write Mr. Tippeconnic 
at the above address, or call (505) 766-3374. We have sent copies of 
the DEIS to all agencies and individuals who previously asked for them.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Charles Tippeconnic at the above 
address, or at (505) 766-3374.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Proposed Action would permit the 
Cooperative to construct a new 69/12.47 kV electric distribution 
substation and related facilities on 1.0 acre of land. Equipment within 
the substation would include terminal and switching equipment for the 
69 kV transmission line, a 69-12.47 kV, 10,000 kVA power transformer, 
one regulator bank, four electronic vacuum reclosers, a control house 
and supports for the bus work and low voltage terminations. The 
proposed project would also include the construction of a 69 kV 
transmission line and four underground distribution tie lines.
    The action is needed in order to meet the increasing demand for 
electrical power in the El Rancho service area. Service is now being 
supplied by a temporary substation, located approximately one and one 
half miles from the proposed project site. That substation is 
constantly operating at 100% of its 1500 kVA capacity, which is no 
longer sufficient to deliver reliable electric power. Moreover, a 
higher capacity substation is needed in the El Rancho area to serve as 
a backup source of power for a wider region.
    The No Action alternative would deny approval of the easement. This 
would not necessarily prohibit the Cooperative from upgrading its 
service, but would certainly result in higher consumer costs. The 
proposed substation site is optimal for the distribution of power 
within its load area. The operating costs increase with distance from 
this central point. Other alternatives to the proposed action include 
upgrading the existing substation, or constructing a new substation at 
one of five alternate locations.
    The significant issues identified and analyzed in the DEIS include 
cultural resources, aesthetic qualities, and existing and future land 
use.

    Dated: February 21, 1996.
Ada E. Deer,
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 96-5567 Filed 3-7-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-02-P