[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 81 (Monday, April 28, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22376-22377]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-10375]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Western Area Power Administration


Cheyenne-Miracle Mile 115-Kilovolt Transmission Line Rebuild 
Project, Laramie, Albany, and Carbon Counties, WY

AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of floodplain/wetland involvement.

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SUMMARY: The 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 rebuild 140 miles of the Cheyenne-
Miracle Mile 115-kilovolt (kV) transmission line located in Laramie, 
Albany, and Carbon counties, Wyoming. Western plans to rebuild the 
segment of line between Cheyenne and Seminoe, Wyoming. A number of 
floodplains associated with small drainages are crossed by the existing 
transmission line. Some of

[[Page 22377]]

these floodplains have transmission line structures located within a 
100-year floodplain. Western will incorporate an assessment of 
floodplains/wetlands in the Environmental Assessment being prepared for 
the project, and would perform the proposed actions in a manner so as 
to avoid or minimize potential harm to or within the affected 
floodplains/wetlands.

DATES: Comments on the proposed floodplain/wetland action are due to 
the address below no later than May 13, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Mr. Jim Hartman, 
Environmental Manager, Rocky Mountain 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, Environmental 
Specialist, Rocky Mountain Region, Western Area Power Administration, 
P.O. Box 3700, Loveland, CO 80539-3003, telephone (970) 461-7371, e-
mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposal to rebuild the Cheyenne-Miracle 
Mile 115-kV transmission line between Cheyenne and Seminoe, Wyoming, 
would involve construction activities within floodplains and wetlands. 
Most of this line (139.69 miles) was constructed as part of the 
Seminoe-Cheyenne transmission line in 1939; the remaining 6.60 miles 
were reconstructed by Western and placed into service in February 1992. 
The Seminoe-Cheyenne segment of the line was constructed with wood pole 
H-frame structures.
    Due to age and weather exposure of this facility, many of the 
transmission line structures and related hardware have deteriorated. 
The line is presently 64 years old. Because of its age the potential 
for structural failures and power outages has increased.
    The existing transmission line right-of-way (ROW) width is 75 feet. 
Depending on which design alternative is selected, the maximum 
transmission line ROW width acquired would be 125 feet. The 
transmission line crosses primarily private land, although there are 
some public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the 
State of Wyoming. Based on a review of Federal Emergency Management 
Agency floodplain hazard maps, Western has determined that a number of 
100-year floodplains associated with small drainages are crossed by the 
existing transmission line. Some structures fall within the boundaries 
of these floodplains, and would be replaced under the proposed action.
    As the lead Federal agency, Western will prepare an Environmental 
Assessment for the proposed project, in compliance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and regulations promulgated by the 
Council on Environmental Quality for implementing the procedural 
provisions of NEPA (40 CFR part 1500-1508) and the DOE NEPA 
Implementing Procedures (10 CFR part 1021). The Environmental 
Assessment will examine the proposed construction activities in 
floodplains/wetlands, in accordance with DOE's Floodplain/Wetland 
Review Requirements (10 CFR part 1022).
    It is Western's goal to rebuild the Cheyenne-Miracle Mile 
transmission line in a manner that minimizes impacts to the natural, 
human, and cultural environments while improving our ability to 
maintain and operate the transmission line in a safe and 
environmentally sound manner. To the extent possible, the proposed 
rebuild would use the existing transmission line corridor and 
established trails and roads for access.
    Maps and further information are available from Western from the 
contact above.

    Dated: April 11, 2003.
Michael S. Hacskaylo,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 03-10375 Filed 4-25-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P