[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 171 (Friday, September 1, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53265-53266]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-22007]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc.; Finding 
of No Significant Impact

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of finding of no significant impact.

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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 impacts related to the construction, operation, 
and maintenance of a 230 kV transmission line and associated 
facilities. Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. 
(Tri-State), of Westminster, Colorado, is proposing to construct the 
project. The transmission line will extend from Walsenburg, Colorado, 
to an area near Gladstone, New Mexico. RUS will provide financing 
assistance for the project.

FOR FUTHER 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) 720-1953 or e-mail: [email protected].; or Karl 
Myers, Tri-State, P.O. Box 33695, Denver, Colorado 80233, telephone: 
(303) 452-6111 or e-mail: [email protected].

[[Page 53266]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The project will be approximately 115 miles 
in length and extend from Tri-State's existing Walsenburg Substation 
located at Walsenburg, Colorado, and interconnect to a proposed 
substation site near Gladstone, New Mexico. Facilities will be located 
in Huerfano and Las Animas Counties, Colorado, and Colfax County, New 
Mexico.
    Alternative Corridor 2 was identified in the Environmental 
Assessment as the preferred corridor. The northern section of the 
preferred corridor was subsequently modified based on additional public 
input as a result of the local permitting process in Las Animas County, 
Colorado. Based on its environmental assessment of the proposed 
project, RUS has concluded that the construction, operation and 
maintenance of the project will not have a significant impact on the 
quality of the human environment. Therefore, RUS will not prepare an 
environmental impact statement for this project.
    Copies of the FONSI have been sent to Federal, State, and local 
agencies and the public who have previously requested a copy. The FONSI 
can also be reviewed at libraries located in communities within the 
project area and at offices of San Isabel Electric Association in 
Pueblo, Walsenburg, and Trinidad, Colorado; Springer Electric 
Cooperative, Inc., in Springer, New Mexico; and Southwestern Electric 
Cooperative, Inc., in Clayton, New Mexico.

    Dated: August 23, 2000.
Blaine D. Stockton,
Assistant Administrator, Electric Program.
[FR Doc. 00-22007 Filed 8-31-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P