[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 178 (Thursday, September 13, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47650-47651]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-22973]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Western Area Power Administration


Casper Creek Crossing, Spence-Thermopolis 230-kV and Alcova-
Copper Mountain 115-kV Transmission Lines

AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of Floodplain Statement of Findings.

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SUMMARY: This Floodplain Statement of Findings for the Casper Creek 
Crossing, Spence-Thermopolis 230-kilovolt (kV) and Alcova-Copper 
Mountain 115-kV Transmission Lines was prepared in accordance with the 
U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Floodplain/Wetland Review 
Requirements (10 CFR part 1022). Western Area Power Administration 
(Western), a power marketing agency of the U.S. Department of Energy 
(DOE), is the lead Federal agency for a proposal to make repairs and 
correct erosion problems at the Casper Creek Crossing for the Spence-
Thermopolis 230-kV and Alcova-Copper Mountain 115-kV

[[Page 47651]]

Transmission Lines. This project is located in Natrona County, Wyoming, 
approximately 40 miles west of Casper, Wyoming. Western plans to 
replace an existing culvert crossing at the Casper Creek with a rock 
filled gabion type structure. Approximately 50 yards downstream, 
additional rock filled gabion type structures will be placed in the 
creek. A crossing at Casper Creek is necessary to provide access for 
transmission line inspection and transmission line maintenance. All 
proposed work will occur within the floodplain of the Middle Fork 
Casper Creek.
    Western prepared a floodplain assessment describing the effects, 
alternatives, and measures designed to avoid or minimize potential harm 
to or within the affected floodplain. This action is categorically 
excluded under DOE's National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
Implementing Procedures (10 CFR part 1021). A 15-day public review 
period will be provided before the action is taken.

DATES: Comments on the floodplain action are due September 28, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to Mr. Rodney Jones, Environmental 
Specialist, Rocky Mountain Customer Service Region, Western Area Power 
Administration, P.O. Box 3700, Loveland, CO 80539-3003; fax: (970) 461-
7213, e-mail [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Rodney Jones, at the above 
address, telephone (970) 461-7371. 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 make repairs and correct erosion problems at the Casper Creek 
Crossing for the Spence-Thermopolis 230-kV and Alcova-Copper Mountain 
115-kV Transmission Lines was prepared in accordance with 10 CFR part 
1022. A notice of floodplain involvement was published in the Federal 
Register (FR) on June 25, 2001 (66 FR 33678). The State of Wyoming, 
Office of Federal Land Policy, responded to the notice stating that no 
State agencies brought up concerns to be addressed in the floodplain 
assessment. The State of Wyoming requested a copy of the floodplain 
assessment when it was completed.
    The Casper Creek Crossing is located at the Middle Fork Casper 
Creek, in Natrona County, Wyoming, in T.3 N., R. 86 W., Sections 3 and 
4. The road used to access and maintain Western's Spence-Thermopolis 
230-kV and Alcova-Copper Mountain 115-kV Transmission Lines has been 
washed out by flows within the Middle Fork Casper Creek. Since 
construction of the power lines, the culverts at the stream crossings 
have been washed out and replaced numerous times. After each wash out, 
it was necessary to move the stream crossings further upstream to avoid 
the deeply incised stream channel. The proposed project would construct 
drop structures and a stream crossing that are designed to stabilize 
the stream channel, dissipate stream flow velocities during peak flow 
events, minimize erosion, restore stream banks to reasonable slopes, 
and allow continued access by Western to inspect and maintain its 
transmission lines.
    Drop structures would be placed at two locations on the Middle Fork 
Casper Creek. The uppermost location will be approximately 350 feet 
west (upstream) of the transmission line's rights-of-way. A series of 
three drop structures is anticipated at the uppermost location. The low 
water crossing, consisting of riprap, will be located immediately 
upstream of first drop structure. Drop structures will also be placed 
at or near the original road crossing (downstream) directly below the 
existing power lines. A series of four drop structures is anticipated 
at the downstream location.
    The drop structures will be constructed of one-quarter inch thick 
steel plate, rock riprap, gabion wire, silt liner, and steel pipe. 
Additionally, riprap will be placed upstream and downstream of the drop 
structures to provide grade stabilization upstream and downstream of 
the drop structures. The stream banks between the upper and lower drop 
structures will be contoured and vegetated. Slopes along this stream 
reach will be cut back to a 2 to 1 slope ratio (2:1) or less. Upon 
completing the bank contouring, the slopes will be seeded with native 
vegetation to promote slope stability.
    Western considered an alternative to the proposed project that 
would involve reinstallation of larger culverts at the present crossing 
site. However, given the past experience with culverts washing out 
during heavy rain events, this was not considered a long-term solution 
to the problem. Repeated culvert washouts were contributing to stream 
bank erosion and stream channel degradation downstream.
    Environmental impacts associated with the proposed project are 
expected to be minimal. Based on the hydrology of the Middle Fork 
Casper Creek and apparent lack of hydrophytic vegetation and hydric 
soils, wetlands are not present at the site. Implementation of the 
proposed project will stabilize the stream channel, dissipate stream 
flow velocities, stabilize stream banks, and maintain the chemical, 
physical, and biological integrity of the Middle Fork Casper Creek. 
Direct and indirect impacts to other resources (e.g., wildlife and air 
quality) are expected to be negligible as well.
    The project is located within the boundaries of a National Register 
of Historic Places-eligible archaeological site. Through a conversation 
between the Western Historic Preservation Officer and the Wyoming State 
Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), Western contracted to perform 
archaeological testing to determine if this project will have an effect 
on the eligibility of the site. A field visit indicated that it is 
unlikely intact buried features are located in the project area. An 
extensive augering program will be done within the area to be impacted 
along the creek, as well as along the access road to the east. Western 
will consult with the SHPO on the findings of this augering program 
prior to implementation of the project.
    The construction of the project would not affect existing flood 
characteristics. No measurable change in flood stage is anticipated. 
Construction activities, which will take approximately 14 days to 
complete, will be scheduled during late summer to early fall, under low 
flow conditions. The action conforms to all applicable State and local 
floodplain protection standards.
    A small increased risk of pollution could result from having 
construction equipment working in the floodplain. This includes the 
risk of accidental oil or fuel spills from malfunctioning equipment. 
Given the size of equipment involved and the amount of potential spill 
material, this risk is considered very low. If a spill were to occur it 
would be minor and could be readily contained and cleaned up.

    Dated: September 5, 2001.
Michael S. Hacskaylo,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 01-22973 Filed 9-12-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P