[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 22 (Thursday, February 1, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 8587]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-2764]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Western Area Power Administration


Floodplain/Wetlands Statement of Findings for the Boyd-Valley 
115-kV Transmission Line Rebuild and Upgrade Project

AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.

ACTION: Floodplain/Wetlands statement of findings.

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SUMMARY: This Floodplain/Wetlands Statement of Findings for the Boyd-
Valley 115-kilovolt (kV) Transmission Line Rebuild and Upgrade Project 
was prepared following the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) 
Floodplain/Wetland Review Requirements (10 CFR part 1022). Western Area 
Power Administration (Western) is the lead Federal agency rebuilding 
and upgrading 2 miles of Western's existing Boyd-Valley 115-kV 
transmission line, that is connected to Platte River Power Authority's 
(PRPA) Boyd and Valley 115-kV substations. This project is located in 
Loveland, Colorado. PRPA plans to replace Western's existing H-frame 
wood pole 115-kV single-circuit transmission line with two new circuits 
constructed on double-circuit single-pole steel structures. The rebuild 
and upgrade will use the same right-of-way as the existing transmission 
line. This work falls within a class of action that normally does not 
require preparation of an environmental assessment or environmental 
impact statement under the Department of Energy's National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Implementing Procedures (10 CFR part 
1021).
    Based on the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) 
Flood Insurance Maps, the project area is within the 100-year 
floodplain (base flood) for the Big Thompson River. Approximately 1 
mile of the project right-of-way is located within the designated 100-
year floodplain.
    Western prepared a floodplain/wetlands assessment describing the 
effects, alternatives, and measures designed to avoid or minimize 
potential harm to, or within, the affected floodplain and wetlands. 
Western will allow 15 days of public review after publication of this 
statement of findings before implementing the proposed action.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Rodney Jones, Environmental 
Specialist, Rocky Mountain Region, Western Area Power Administration, 
P.O. Box 3700, Loveland, CO 80539-3003, telephone (970) 461-7371, e-
mail [email protected]. For further information on DOE Floodplain/
Wetlands Environmental Review Requirements, contact: Ms. Carol M. 
Borgstrom, Director, NEPA Policy and Compliance, EH-42, U.S. Department 
of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20585, 
telephone (202) 586-4600 or (800) 472-2756.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This statement of findings for the proposal 
to rebuild and upgrade the Boyd-Valley transmission line was prepared 
following 10 CFR part 1022. A notice of floodplain involvement was 
published in the Federal Register on December 27, 2000 (65 FR 81858). 
No comments were received on the proposed floodplain/wetlands action. 
The proposal to rebuild and upgrade the Boyd-Valley transmission line 
would involve construction activities within the floodplain, including 
removal of 1 mile of the existing 115-kV wood pole H-frame transmission 
line and construction of 1 mile of new double-circuit single-pole steel 
transmission line. The floodplain/wetlands assessment examined the 
proposed rebuild and upgrade of the transmission line. The existing 
transmission line right-of-way is located within the 100-year 
floodplain. Previous stream bank stabilization and gravel mining 
operations have modified the floodplain in the project area. New 
transmission line structures associated with the rebuild would be 
located in approximately the same locations as the existing structures. 
There are no alternatives that would avoid rebuilding the transmission 
line within the floodplain. No watercourses or drainage patterns would 
be affected by implementing the project. No construction will occur 
within the river. Flood storage volume will not be affected. The 
transmission will span both the Big Thompson River and Big Thompson 
Ditch at the same locations as the existing transmission line.
    During construction, sediments might be added to local drainages 
due to soil runoff, and oil or fuel might spill from malfunctioning 
equipment. Standard construction practices will be used to avoid or 
minimize effects to floodplain areas in the project area. These 
procedures include minimizing the size of the disturbance area to 
install the new transmission line structures, stream bank erosion 
control, measures to avoid or minimize soil erosion and sedimentation, 
and minimizing the potential for spills during construction activities 
and long-term line maintenance.
    The rebuilt transmission line will span wetlands and riparian areas 
associated with the Big Thompson River and the nearby ditches. No 
disturbances to the banks or channels of surface waters are planned. 
Bank stabilization and historic gravel mining operations have 
previously modified much of the wetland areas in the project area. 
During construction, temporary, short-term minor effects will occur to 
the existing wetland/riparian habitat in the areas where the new 
transmission line structures are constructed. Because the new 
structures will be located at the approximate locations of the existing 
structures, the amount of wetland/riparian habitat affected by 
implementation of the project will be negligible. The disturbance areas 
associated with the project have been previously disturbed by 
construction of the existing transmission line, and the ongoing 
maintenance activities within the existing transmission line right-of-
way. Other than standard construction practices, no special mitigation 
measures are recommended. The action will conform to applicable State 
or local floodplain protection standards.

    Dated: January 19, 2001.
Michael S. Hacskaylo,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 01-2764 Filed 1-31-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P