[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 39 (Wednesday, February 27, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8963-8964]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-4618]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Western Area Power Administration


Floodplain/Wetland Involvement at the Supply Creek Crossing for 
the Granby Pumping Plant-Marys Lake 69-kilovolt Transmission Line, 
Grand County, CO

AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of statement of findings.

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SUMMARY: This Floodplain/Wetland Statement of Findings for the Supply 
Creek Crossing, Granby Pumping Plant-Marys Lake 69-kilovolt (kV) 
Transmission Line was prepared in accordance with the U.S. Department 
of Energy's (DOE) Floodplain/Wetland Review Requirements. 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 reroute a 0.8 mile section of the Granby Pumping Plant-Marys Lake 
69-kV transmission line. The project is located in Grand County, 
Colorado, approximately 10 miles north of Granby. Western plans to 
remove eight wood-pole H-frame structures from the existing right-of-
way and relocate them farther to the west, a distance ranging from a 
few hundred feet to approximately 1,000 feet. All the proposed work 
will likely occur within a 100-year floodplain of Supply Creek. The 
existing transmission line and the proposed reroute cross a wetland 
associated with Supply Creek, and an irrigated meadow. Western has 
prepared a floodplain/wetland assessment and based on its findings, 
found no practicable alternative to avoiding the floodplain/wetlands of 
Supply Creek.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Rodney Jones, Environmental 
Specialist, Rocky Mountain Customer Service 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 relocate a 0.8 mile section of the Granby Pumping Plant-Marys Lake 
69-kV transmission line was prepared in accordance with DOE's 
Floodplain/Wetland Review Requirements 10 CFR part 1022. A notice of 
floodplain/wetland involvement was published in the Federal Register on 
November 23, 2001 (66 FR 226). A 15-day public review period following 
the publication of this statement of findings has been waived per 10 
CFR part 1022.18(c). No comments were received on the notice. There was 
one request for a copy of the floodplain/wetlands assessment.
    The Supply Creek Crossing is located approximately 2 miles to the 
south-southwest of the town of Grand Lake and 1 mile west of Shadow 
Mountain Lake in Grand County, Colorado. The project area encompasses 
portions of the south \1/2\ of section 11 and the northwest \1/4\ of 
section 14, T. 3 N., R.76 W. The property is privately owned. Current 
land use is ranching, grazing, and hay production. The Granby Pumping 
Plant to West Portal portion of the Granby Pumping Plant-Marys Lake 69-
kV transmission line was constructed in 1939. Due to the age of this 
transmission line, Western has routinely tested and replaced 
deteriorated wood-pole structures on the transmission line as needed. A 
landowner approached Western and requested that a section of the 
transmission line on his property be relocated to facilitate ongoing 
ranching operations. The relocation of the line will also benefit 
Western's operation and maintenance activities in a number of ways. The 
relocated line will be in an area that is less wet and more accessible 
for routine inspections and maintenance. Access to the existing section 
of transmission line for maintenance is difficult due to hay meadow 
irrigation and naturally wet conditions. Western plans to remove eight 
wood-pole H-frame structures from the existing right-of-way and 
relocate them farther to the west, a distance ranging from a few 
hundred feet to approximately 1,000 feet. Western is the lead Federal 
agency for a proposal to reroute a 0.8 mile section of the Granby 
Pumping Plant-Marys Lake 69-kV transmission line. This action is 
categorically excluded under DOE's National Environmental Policy Act 
Implementing Procedures (10 CFR part 1021).
    The reroute for the proposed project was selected because it avoids 
interfering with the landowner's ranching operations; and it moves the 
right-of-way into an area with relatively drier conditions than the 
existing right-of-way. Western could leave the line where it is and 
continue to replace deteriorating structures as needed. However, this 
would not solve the conflict with the landowner's planned ranch 
operations.
    The project will require construction activities within a 
floodplain and a wetland. This includes removing eight existing wood-
pole H-frame transmission line structures and installing eight similar 
structures within a new relocated right-of-way. The structures located 
at either end of the relocation may be modified, or reconstructed, at 
their existing location. Most construction activities would take place 
during the early months of 2002 when the ground is frozen to facilitate 
access in the extremely wet areas. This action would conform to 
applicable State or local floodplain protection standards.
    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. There is no 
practicable alternative to locating structures within the floodplain 
and wetlands of Supply Creek. Environmental impacts associated with the 
proposed project are expected to be minimal. Habitat within the 
southern two-thirds of the project area is native and tame pasture 
grasses with wet meadows. Supply Creek crosses under the line in the 
northern third of the property. The habitat in this area is an open-
canopy, willow/shrub. The open meadow and creek areas are either grazed 
or mowed at least annually. There are several ranch buildings east of 
the existing line, as well as a large developed residential area. 
Relocation of the line within the same meadow and wetland area will 
have minimal impact. Since construction activities are scheduled to 
commence during the winter, minimal impact to Supply Creek and its 
aquatic habitat, vegetation, and soils would result.
    The project would not affect existing flood characteristics. No 
watercourses or drainage patterns will be affected by the project. No 
construction will occur within Supply Creek. Flood storage volume will 
not be affected. No change in flood stage characteristics would occur.

[[Page 8964]]

    A small increased risk of pollution would 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.
    Steps will be taken to minimize harm to the 100-year floodplain of 
Supply Creek, and include restricting vehicular traffic to necessary 
construction equipment, refueling equipment, if necessary, outside the 
floodplain or the surrounding wet meadow, and preventing vehicles with 
leaks and seeps from entering the floodplain. Due to the need to 
complete the work before the ground thaws and maintain project 
effectiveness, the 15-day public review period following the 
publication of this statement of findings has been waived per 10 CFR 
part 1022.18(c).

    Dated: February 20, 2002.
Michael S. Hacskaylo,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 02-4618 Filed 2-26-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P