[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 61 (Thursday, March 29, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17173-17174]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-7745]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Western Area Power Administration


Notice of Floodplain/Wetlands Involvement for the Charlie Creek-
Williston Transmission Line Fiber Optic Overhead Ground Wire 
Installation Project

AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of floodplain/wetlands involvement.

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SUMMARY: The Western Area Power Administration (Western) intends to add 
new fiber optic communication capabilities to the existing Charlie 
Creek-Williston 115-kilovolt (kV) Transmission Line in west central 
North Dakota. This will require rebuilding many of the existing wood 
pole H-frame structures to carry the additional weight. The line 
crosses two major drainages in the area--the Little Missouri River on 
lands managed by the National Park Service, and the Missouri River 
south of Williston, North Dakota.
    Following the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Floodplain/Wetland 
Review Requirements (10 CFR part 1022), Western will prepare a 
floodplain assessment and will perform the proposed actions in ways 
that avoid or minimize potential harm to or within the affected 
floodplain. The floodplain assessment will be included in an 
Environmental Assessment being prepared by Western, under the 
provisions of the DOE National Environmental Policy Act Implementing 
Procedures (10 CFR part 1021).

DATES: Comments on the proposed floodplain action are due to the 
address below by May 1, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Mr. Theodore Anderson, 
Environmental Specialist, Upper Great Plains Region, Western Area Power 
Administration, P.O. Box 35800, Billings, Montana 59107-5800, e-mail 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information on DOE 
Floodplain/Wetlands Environmental Review

[[Page 17174]]

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: The Charlie Creek-Williston 115-kilovolt 
(kV) Transmission Line is approximately 72 miles long, approximately 50 
years old, and has an existing 100-foot right-of-way. Fiber optic 
communications will be added by installing a new overhead ground wire 
with a fiber optic cable as a replacement for one of the existing 
overhead ground wires. The other existing overhead ground wire will be 
replaced with a new, conventional ground wire at the same time. To 
carry the added weight of the new cable, a number of transmission 
structure upgrades are required. A total of 514 wood poles on the 
existing H-frame structures will be replaced with poles that are 5 feet 
taller. This will prevent the heavier cable from sagging into the 
conductor wire. As part of the transmission line rebuild, all 
insulators on the line will be replaced.
    Most of the line is on private land (grazing and cultivated lands), 
but it also crosses lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service (Little 
Missouri National Grasslands) and the National Park Service (Theodore 
Roosevelt National Park North Unit). The line crosses McKenzie and 
Williams counties, and will pass near Watford City, North Dakota.
    The action will entail removing existing poles and reinstalling 
new, taller poles. Once the poles are replaced, the existing overhead 
ground wire will be removed and the new fiber and conventional cables 
installed. Along the route, splice points will also be established 
where the lengths of the fiber optic cable will be fused together. The 
splice points will be used for pulling the cable through the 
structures. Most ground disturbances will occur where the structures 
are replaced, and at the splicing and pulling sites. Access roads for 
the line exist and may need to be improved. There may be a need for 
additional access trails or roads to some structure locations. Western 
employees will perform this work over 3 years.

    Dated: March 20, 2001
Michael S. Hacskaylo,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 01-7745 Filed 3-28-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P