[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 245 (Thursday, December 20, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 65702]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-31352]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Western Area Power Administration


Havre-Rainbow Transmission Line Rebuild 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 
rebuild the Havre-Rainbow 161 kilovolt (kV) Transmission Line in 
central Montana. This will initially require replacement of structures. 
Eventually, conductors will be replaced and overhead groundwires and 
fiber optic cable may be added. The line lies north and west of the 
Missouri River and crosses the Marias and Teton Rivers near Loma, 
Montana, and the Big Sandy Creek near Big Sandy, Montana.
    In accordance with 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 a manner 
so as to avoid or minimize potential harm to or within the affected 
floodplain. The floodplain assessment will be included in the 
Environmental Assessment being prepared by Western, in accordance with 
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 no later than January 22, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Comments should be addressed to Mr. 
Theodore Anderson, Environmental Specialist, Upper Great Plains 
Customer Service Region, Western Area Power Administration, P.O. Box 
35800, Billings, Montana 59107-5800, 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: The existing Havre-Rainbow Transmission Line 
is approximately 103 miles long and approximately 60 years old. The 
action will entail the removal of the existing structures and 
reinstalling the new structures. At some time in the future Western may 
reconductor the line to 230-kV and install overhead groundwires and 
fiber optic cable. Most ground disturbances will take place where the 
structures are replaced, at the splice points, and at pulling sites of 
the possible future installation of conductor, overhead groundwire, and 
fiber optic cable. Access roads for the line exist and may need to be 
improved. There may also be a need for additional access trails or 
roads to individual structure locations. The work will take place over 
a 10-year period by an in-house workforce.
    The line crosses the Marias and Teton Rivers, at their confluence 
with the Missouri River near Loma, Montana, and Big Sandy Creek near 
Big Sandy, Montana. The line will affect lands mostly in private 
ownership (grazing and cultivated lands), but will also cross Indian 
allotted lands on the Rocky Boys Indian Reservation. There may also be 
lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and lands belonging to 
the State of Montana along the route.

    Issued: December 12, 2001.
Michael S. Hacskaylo,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 01-31352 Filed 12-19-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P