[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 112 (Wednesday, June 11, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31785-31786]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-15234]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Proposed Perkins--Manistique 138 kV Transmission Line Project
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice; intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
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SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service will prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) to analyze and disclose the effects of a proposal by
Wisconsin Electric Power Company WEPCO and Edison Sault Electric (ESE)
to construct a 24 mile, 138 kV transmission line in Delta county,
Michigan. The project area includes portions of the Hiawatha National
Forest (HNF), Rapid River/Manistique Ranger Districts.
DATES: Written comments concerning the scope of the analysis (issues,
preliminary alternatives, etc.) must be received in writing by July 11,
1997.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments and suggestions to Mr. William F.
Spinner, Forest Supervisor, Hiawatha National Forest, 2727 Lincoln
Road, Escanaba, Michigan, 49829.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Technical questions regarding the proposed action and EIS should be
directed to Ms. Patty Beyer, Project Coordinator, (906) 228-9681.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: WEPCO/ESE propose to construct, operate, and
maintain a 138 kV double circuit transmission line from the existing
Perkins Substation one mile west of Perkins, Michigan to the proposed
Indian Lake Substation one mile northwest of Manistique, Michigan. The
proposed 24 mile route lies adjacent to the Lakehead Oil Company
pipeline right-of-way. The Substation locations are outside the
boundaries of the Hiawatha National Forest. The Federal Land and Policy
Act allows the use of national forest lands for electric transmission
rights-of-way. The Hiawatha National Forest Land and Resource
Management Plan allows for utility right-of-ways within management
areas crossed by the proposed project.
WEPCO/ESE have identified a lack of adequate electric transmission
facilities serving Delta and Schoolcraft counties in the Upper
Peninsula of Michigan,
[[Page 31786]]
presently an ESE service territory. The Michigan Public Service
Commission has determined the existing service is inadequate in three
areas, including load growth, reliability, and electrical transmission
system reinforcement. WEPCO/ESE's load growth has nearly exceeded
capacity and its need for reliable service and additional capacity to
meet peak system demand is urgent. The purpose for constructing the
project is to increase reliability of service and provide an additional
source of power to the customers served within WEPCO/ESE service area.
Permits or licenses required to implement the proposed action
include: right-of-way easement from the Michigan Department of Natural
Resources, wetland permits and erosion control standards from the
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Section 404 determination
and permit from the US Army Corps of Engineers, road crossing permits
from Delta and Schoolcraft counties and the Michigan Department of
Transportation, railroad crossing permits from the Wisconsin Central
Railroad, approval of Interchange Agreement from the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity
from the Public Service Commission, Act 69 approval from the Michigan
Public Service Commission, Section 106 Review by the Michigan State
Historic Preservation Office and a Wild and Scenic River Determination
from the USDA Forest Service.
The USDA Forest Service is serving as lead federal agency for the
preparation of an EIS that will evaluate the purpose, need, and routing
alternatives on the Hiawatha National Forest for the proposed project.
The decision to be made is whether to allow the use of portions of the
Hiawatha National Forest for siting a transmission line facility. The
USDA Forest Service has invited other affected agencies to participate
in the environmental process. Preliminary issues associated with this
proposal include construction across two designated wild and scenic
rivers, aesthetic effects, health and safety concerns from
electromagnetic fields, impacts to wetlands from construction and
effective wetland restoration, disturbances to threatened, endangered
and sensitive plant and animal habitat, noxious weed control,
recreation access to roads, rivers, and trails during construction and
the commitment of forest resources over the long term.
The public is invited to attend meetings to be held June 17, 18,
and 19, 1997, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the township hall in
Nahma, the Omni Center in Rapid River, and the township hall in Cooks,
Michigan, respectively. In additional meeting will be held June 17 at
the Nahma township hall from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The purpose of the
workshop-style meetings, is to share project information and identify
public issues and concerns. To assist the Forest Service in identifying
and considering issues and concerns on the proposed action, written
comments on the proposal should be as specific as possible. Please note
that written comments made on the proposal will be regarded as public
information. Anticipated publication date for the Draft EIS is November
1997 and the Final EIS in early 1998.
Dated: June 5, 1997.
William F. Spinner,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 97-15234 Filed 6-10-97; 8:45 am]
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