[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 46 (Monday, March 10, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 10825]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-5850]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service


Navajo Tribal Utility Authority; Finding of No Significant Impact

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 
has made a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) with respect to the 
potential environmental impact related to the construction, operation 
and maintenance of the Burnside Junction to Coalmine 115 kV 
Transmission Line Project proposed by the Navajo Tribal Utility 
Authority (NTUA) of Fort Defiance, Arizona.
    RUS has concluded that the environmental impacts from the proposed 
project would not be significant and that the proposed action is not a 
major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human 
environment. Therefore, the preparation of an environmental impact 
statement is not required.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dennis E. Rankin, Environmental 
Protection Specialist, RUS, Engineering and Environmental Staff, Stop 
1571, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-1571, telephone 
(202) 720-1784.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed 40-mile transmission line would 
extend from the Coalmine Substation located near Tse Bonito, New Mexico 
(east of Window Rock, Arizona) to tap an existing 69 kV transmission 
line in the vicinity of Burnside Junction (located west of Ganado, 
Arizona). The transmission line will be designed and built for 115 kV 
operation, but will initially be operated at 69 kV. The primary 
structure type would be H-frame structures located on a 100-foot right-
of-way.
    The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and its environmental consultant 
prepared an environmental assessment report (EAR) reflecting the 
potential impacts of the proposed facilities. The BIA EAR, which 
includes input from Federal, State and local agencies and the public, 
has been adopted as RUS's Environmental Assessment (EA) for the project 
in accordance with 7 CFR 1794.61. RUS has concluded that the EA 
represents an accurate assessment of the environmental impacts of the 
project. The proposed project should have no impact on cultural 
resources, floodplains, wetlands, important farmland and federally 
listed or proposed for listing threatened or endangered species or 
their critical habitat.
    Alternatives considered to the project included no action, 
localized generating facilities, wind and solar generation and 
alternative routes. RUS has considered these alternatives and concluded 
that the project as proposed meets the needs of NTUA to provide 
adequate service to the central section of the Navajo Nation.
    Copies of the EA and FONSI are available for review at RUS at the 
address provided herein; or can be reviewed at or obtained from the 
offices of NTUA, P.O. Box 170, Fort Defiance, Arizona 86504, telephone 
(520) 729-5721, during normal business hours.

    Dated: March 3, 1997.
Adam M. Golodner,
Deputy Administrator, Program Operations.
[FR Doc. 97-5850 Filed 3-7-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P