[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 158 (Friday, August 15, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43696-43697]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-21655]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Plains Electric Generation and Transmission Cooperative, Inc.; 
Intent To Hold Public Workshops and Prepare an Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to conduct public scoping workshops and 
prepare an Environmental Assessment.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) intends to hold public 
scoping workshops and prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) in 
connection with possible RUS financing assistance relating to a project 
proposed by Plains Electric Generation and Transmission Cooperative, 
Inc. (Plains), of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The project consists of the 
construction, operation and maintenance of a 230 kV transmission line 
from a proposed substation near Gladstone in Colifax County, New 
Mexico, to the Walsenburg Substation in Huerfano County, Colorado.

DATES: RUS will conduct five public scoping workshops as follows:

September 17, 1997

4:00-8:00 p.m.--Walsenburg City Hall, 525 S. Albert Street, Walsenburg, 
Colorado 81089.

September 18, 1997

4:00-8:00 p.m.--Trinidad Community Center, 1309 Beashoar Drive, 
Trinidad, Colorado 81082.

September 22, 1997

4:00-8:00 p.m.-- Holiday Inn, 473 Clayton Road, Raton, New Mexico 
87740.

September 23, 1997

4:00-8:00 p.m.-- Springer Electric Cooperative, 420 Maxwell Avenue, 
Springer, New Mexico 87747.

September 24, 1997

4:00-8:00 p.m.--Clayton Air Park Convention Center, Cedar Road, 
Clayton, New Mexico 88415.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dennis E. Rankin, Engineering and 
Environmental Staff, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, 
S.W., Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250, telephone (202) 720-1784, or 
Rick Precek, Plains Electric Generation and Transmission Cooperative, 
Inc., P.O. Box 6551, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87197, telephone (505) 
889-7207.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Plains is proposing to construct 
approximately 115 miles of 230 kV transmission line from a new 
substation near Gladstone in Colifax County, New Mexico, to the 
Walsenburg Substation in Huerfano County, Colorado.
    Alternatives to be considered by RUS include no action, local 
generation, system alternatives, transmission alternatives and 
alternative routes.
    Comments regarding the proposed project may be submitted orally or 
in writing at the public scoping workshops or in writing no later than 
October 24, 1997, to RUS or Plains at the addresses provided in this 
notice.
    Plains and its consultant have prepared an Alternative Evaluation 
and Macro-Corridor Study for the project. The Alternative Evaluation 
and Macro-Corridor Study is available for public review at RUS or 
Plains at the addresses provided in this notice. The documents can also 
be reviewed at Springer Electric Cooperative, Inc., Springer, New 
Mexico 87747; Southwestern Electric Cooperative, Inc., Clayton, New 
Mexico 88145; and in the libraries in the towns of Walsenburg and 
Trinidad, Colorado, and Raton, Clayton and Springer, New Mexico.

[[Page 43697]]

    An Environmental Assessment will be prepared for the proposed 
project. Based on a review of the Environmental Assessment and other 
relevant information, RUS will determine if the preparation of an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is warranted. Should RUS determine 
that the preparation of an EIS is not warranted, it will prepare a 
Finding of No Significant Impact.
    Any final action by RUS related to the proposed project will be 
subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant Federal 
environmental laws and regulations and completion of environmental 
review procedures as prescribed by the Council on Environmental Quality 
Regulations and RUS Environmental Policies and Procedures.

    Dated: August 12, 1997.
Wally Beyer,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 97-21655 Filed 8-14-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P