[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 14, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1828-1829]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-682]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Bonneville Power Administration


Raymond-Cosmopolis Transmission Line Rebuild Project

AGENCY: Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), Department of Energy 
(DOE).

ACTION: Notice of floodplain and wetlands involvement.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces BPA's proposal to rebuild the Raymond-
Cosmopolis 115-kilovolt transmission line in western Washington State. 
The proposed rebuild is needed to increase transmission line capacity 
and to address safety and reliability concerns because the transmission 
line is old, physically worn, and structurally unsound in some areas. 
The 18.3-mile-long transmission line traverses wetlands and floodplains 
located in both Pacific and Grays Harbor Counties.

DATES: Comments are due to the address below no later than January 29, 
2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to Communications, Bonneville Power 
Administration--KC-7, P.O. Box 12999, Portland, Oregon 97212. Internet 
address: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Kimberly St.Hilaire--KEC-4, 
Bonneville Power Administration, P.O. Box 3621, Portland, Oregon, 
97208-3621, phone number 503-230-5361, fax number 503-230-5699.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with DOE regulations for 
compliance with floodplain and wetlands environmental review 
requirements, BPA will prepare a floodplain and wetlands assessment and 
will perform this proposed action in a manner so as to avoid or 
minimize potential harm to or within the affected floodplain and 
wetlands. The assessment will be included in the environmental 
assessment being prepared for the proposed project in accordance with 
the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. A floodplain 
statement of findings will be included in any finding of no significant 
impact that may be issued following the completion of the environmental 
assessment.
    Floodplains. Six existing structures are located within the 100-
year floodplains of three waterways within the project area, as 
depicted on Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) maps. 
Impacts to floodplains would include the removal of existing structures 
and construction of proposed structures within floodplains, road 
construction, and road improvements. During the design phase, efforts 
were made to avoid impacts to floodplains

[[Page 1829]]

and to minimize them by moving structures and roads out of floodplains 
where possible.
    Two structures are located within the floodplain of Lower Salmon 
Creek. These existing structures would be removed without excavation 
(cut at ground level) and replaced within the floodplain. The holes 
that would be augered to imbed the tubular steel structures would be 
several feet larger in diameter than the base of the structure, which 
would be less than 70 inches in diameter. No road construction or road 
improvements are proposed with the Lower Salmon Creek floodplain.
    Within the North River floodplain, one existing structure is on the 
floodplain boundary and one area of roadwork is proposed within the 
floodplain. Structure 121, on the floodplain boundary, would be moved 
10 feet, placing it just outside the floodplain. Road improvements 
would be made within the southern portion of the floodplain (north of 
Structure 120). Roadwork would extend up a slope at the edge of the 
floodplain. The area where roadwork would be done is separated from the 
main floodplain area by a county road (North River Road). Road 
improvements would include rocking and widening approximately 250 feet 
of the existing road, and also installing a culvert and gate at the 
edge of the existing county road.
    Within the Little North River floodplain, three existing structures 
are located within the floodplain or on the floodplain boundary and one 
area of roadwork is proposed. Structure 136, adjacent to an existing 
access road, would be removed and the proposed structure would be 
constructed at the edge of the floodplain boundary. Roadwork is 
proposed just south of Structure 136. Roadwork would consist of 
improvements to the existing road to provide improved access to this 
structure. The road would be rocked and widened. Structure 142 is 
within the floodplain and would be replaced within the floodplain 
within several feet of the existing structure. Structure 143 is at the 
edge of the floodplain on FEMA maps, but because it is approximately 
100 feet in elevation higher than the elevation of the Little North 
River, it is very unlikely that it would be inundated during a 100-year 
flood event. This structure will be moved to the north, placing it 
outside but very near the floodplain boundary.
    Wetlands. Wetlands determination and delineation work was conducted 
within the project area in August of 2002. This investigation 
identified numerous wetland areas within or crossing the transmission 
line right-of-way. Nine existing structures are within wetlands, but 
only two of the proposed structures would be in wetlands. Other 
existing and proposed structures are near wetlands, but direct impacts 
to wetlands would be avoided where possible by restricting access to 
these areas during construction.
    During the design phase, the transmission line was realigned 
outside the existing right-of-ways in two areas to avoid wetlands. 
Structures 34 and 35 would be moved to the west to avoid a large 
wetland area around Structure 35. Structures 91, 92, 93, and 94 would 
be moved to the west because existing Structures 92 and 93 are within 
the wetlands associated with Joe Creek and no access exists to these 
structures.
    During the design phase of the project, impacts to wetlands were 
avoided where possible, by relocating individual structures and roads 
in adjacent uplands within the existing right-of-way. In some areas it 
was not possible to relocate structures into adjacent uplands because 
the wetlands are too extensive to avoid them. In other areas, roads or 
approaches would traverse wetlands because there is no other route that 
avoids wetlands. Where wetlands could not be avoided by roads, efforts 
were made to minimize the impacts to wetlands by locating as much of 
the road as possible in adjacent upland or by proposing to construct 
temporary roads.
    The impact on wetlands from removing nine existing structures would 
be low. Removal of existing structures could cause minor and temporary 
damage to wetland vegetation and soils. Structures in wetlands would be 
cut at the base with no soil disturbance and lifted or dragged out of 
the wetland area. Some structures would be left in place if landowners 
agree.
    Impacts on wetlands from installing new structures in wetlands are 
expected to be moderate and mostly temporary. Proposed Structures 28 
and 72 would be erected in wetlands; both would be suspension 
structures, the type of structures that require the smallest 
disturbance area. Permanent disturbance of wetlands would be limited to 
the portions of wetlands that are excavated or filled to embed the 
structure base.
    Impacts to wetlands from constructing access roads are limited to a 
few areas where there are no alternatives because there are no uplands 
adjacent to the structures. Approaches (short spur roads) within 
wetlands would be constructed to access Structures 28 and 72. Between 
Structures 15 and 16, a stream and associated wetland area would be 
crossed by creating a ford (rocky area). Structures 47 and 48 can only 
be accessed by traversing a large emergent wetland. Impacts to wetlands 
would be minimized by creating a temporary access road on geotextile 
fabric, and then removed and restored once construction is complete.
    Construction of structures and roads near wetlands could 
temporarily disturb wetland areas, with the size of disturbance area 
dependent on the type of structure. Efforts would be made to avoid 
construction activities within wetlands and to minimize impacts by 
restricting work while wetland soils are not dry.
    Maps and further information are available from BPA at the address 
above.

    Issued in Portland, Oregon, on January 6, 2003.
Thomas C. McKinney,
NEPA Compliance Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-682 Filed 1-13-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P