[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 98 (Friday, May 19, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 31878]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12653]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Berkeley Electric Cooperative, Inc; Notice of Availability of an 
Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of aailability of an Environmental Assessment.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 
is issuing an Environmental Assessment (EA) with respect to the 
potential environmental impacts related to the construction of a 115/
24.9 kV electric distribution substation by Berkeley Electric 
Cooperative. RUS may provide financing assistance for the project.

FOR FUTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Bob Quigel, RUS, Engineering and 
Environmental Staff, Stop 1571, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, 
Washington, DC 20250-1571, telephone: (202) 720-0468. Bob's e-mail 
address is [email protected]. Information is also available from Tom 
Meyers, Vice President of Engineering, at Berkeley Electric 
Cooperative, P.O. Box 1234, Monks Corner, South Carolina, 29461-1234, 
telephone (843) 761-8200.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The project consists of the construction of 
a 115/24.9 kV electric distribution substation located in Dorchester 
County, South Carolina, on the southern side of Ridge Road 
approximately 1000 feet east of the intersection of Parkers Ferry Road 
and Ridge Road. The fenced area for the substation will be 
approximately 7.5 acres. The fence surrounding the substation will be 7 
feet high and topped with 3 strands of barbed wire. A short gravel road 
will be constructed from Ridge Road to the substation site. 
Approximately 500 feet of overhead 115 kV transmission line will 
connect the substation to an existing transmission line south of 
Parkers Ferry Road. Three underground distribution feeder lines will 
connect the substation to Berkeley Electric Cooperative's electric 
distribution system.
    Berkeley Electric Cooperative submitted to RUS an environmental 
report which describes the project further and considers its potential 
environmental impacts. RUS has conducted an independent evaluation of 
the environmental report and believes that it accurately assesses the 
impacts of the proposed project. No adverse impacts are expected with 
the construction of the project. RUS has accepted the document as its 
Environmental Assessment and is making it available for public review.
    The EA can be reviewed at Berkeley Electric Cooperative's 
Headquarters Office at 414 North Highway 52, Moncks Corner, South 
Carolina 29461 and their Johns Island District Office located at 3351 
Maybank Highway, Johns Island, South Carolina 29455.
    Questions and comments should be sent to RUS at the address 
provided. RUS should receive comments on the EA in writing within 30 
days of the publication date of this notice to ensure that the comments 
are taken into consideration prior to RUS making its environmental 
determination.
    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: May 15, 2000.
Glendon D. Deal,
Acting Director, Engineering and Environmental Staff.
[FR Doc. 00-12653 Filed 5-18-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-U