[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 72 (Friday, April 13, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 19135]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-9175]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc.; Notice 
of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability of a draft environmental impact 
statement.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Forest Service (FS) has 
released for public review and comment a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (DEIS) for the Nucla--Telluride 115 kV Transmission Line 
Project. The project is proposed by Tri-State Generation and 
Transmission Association, Inc. (Tri-State), of Westminster, Colorado. 
The FS is the lead Federal agency in the environmental review process. 
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and the Bureau of Land Management 
(BLM) are serving as cooperating agencies.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dennis E. Rankin, Environmental 
Protection Specialist, RUS, Engineering and Environmental Staff, Stop 
1571, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-1571; Steve 
Wells, FS, Norwood Ranger District, P.O. Box 388, Norwood, Colorado 
81423; and Teresa Pfifer, BLM, Uncompahgre Field Office, 2465 South 
Townsend Avenue, Montrose, Colorado 81401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Tri-State has proposed a 115 kV transmission 
line in order to improve the reliability of power to Telluride and 
other surrounding communities, as well as increase the capacity of the 
regional transmission grid to transfer bulk power through southwestern 
Colorado. The 115 kV transmission line would replace and potentially 
relocate an existing 69 kV line that is owned and operated by San 
Miguel Power Association.
    The DEIS analyzes the impacts of a 115kV transmission line that has 
been proposed by Tri-State between the Nucla Substation in Montrose 
County, Colorado and either the Telluride or Sunshine Substations in 
San Miguel County, Colorado. The DEIS evaluates a number of routing 
alternatives and related system improvements between these substation 
connections. The DEIS also analyzes other energy options including 
distributed generation.
    The Federal agencies preferred alternative is a 115 kV transmission 
line project using the Nucla--Norwood Central Alternative and the 
Norwood--Sunshine Alternative corridors. FS, BLM, and RUS will issue 
final decisions regarding Tri-State's proposal at the conclusion of the 
environmental review process. Concurrent with the Federal review 
process, San Miguel and Montrose Counties will consider Tri-State's 
Special Use Permit applications.
    Copies of the DEIS are available for review at the following public 
libraries: Norwood Public Library, Telluride Public Library, Montrose 
Public Library, Nucla Public Library, and Naturita Public Library. 
Additional copies of the DEIS are also available at the FS-Norwood 
Ranger District, the FS-Supervisor's Office in Delta, and at the BLM 
Uncompahgre Field Office in Montrose.
    Public comments concerning the adequacy and accuracy of the DEIS 
will be accepted during a comment period ending May 31, 2001. Comments 
should be sent to Steve Wells, Forest Service at the address provided 
above.

    Dated: April 10, 2001.
Blaine D. Stockton,
Assistant Administrator, Electric Program, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 01-9175 Filed 4-12-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P