[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 145 (Tuesday, July 29, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44532-44533]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-19251]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Bonneville Power Administration


Kangley-Echo Lake Transmission Line Project

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

ACTION: Notice of availability of Record of Decision (ROD).

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of the ROD to construct 
the proposed Kangley-Echo Lake Transmission Line Project in King 
County, Washington, based on the Kangley-Echo Lake Transmission Line 
Project Final Environmental Impact Statement (DOE/EIS-0317-S1, June 
2003). BPA has decided to implement the Proposed Action (Alternative 1) 
identified in the environmental impact statement, which consists of 
constructing a new 9-mile 500-kilovolt (kV) transmission line from a 
tap point on an existing 500-kV line near Kangley, Washington, to BPA's 
Echo Lake Substation. BPA is taking this action to continue to provide 
reliable power to customers throughout the Northwest and to other 
regions and Canada as population grows.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the ROD and EIS may be obtained by calling toll-
free 1-888-276-7790. The ROD and EIS are also available on BPA's 
Transmission Business Line Web site, http://www.transmission.bpa.gov/projects.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Gene Lynard, Environmental Project 
Manager, Bonneville Power Administration--KEC-4, P.O. Box 3621, 
Portland, Oregon, 97208-3621; toll-free telephone number 1-800-282-
3713; direct telephone number 503-230-3790; fax number 503-230-5699; or 
e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Proposed Action, construction of a new 
500-kV transmission line from Kangley, Washington, to Echo Lake 
Substation, will be constructed next to an existing 500-kV line. Five 
miles of the route will go through the Cedar River Municipal Watershed 
(CRW). In addition, Echo Lake Substation will be expanded about three 
acres to the east and new equipment will be installed to accommodate 
the new line. The Proposed Action will primarily use 500-kV single-
circuit steel lattice structures averaging about 135 feet high. In the 
CRW, where the line crosses the Cedar River, two 500-kV double-circuit 
lattice structures will be used to hold the new 500-kV line and the 
existing 500-kV line. BPA will purchase easements for a new 150-foot-
wide right-of-way (ROW) for the new line (except at the Cedar River 
crossing where BPA will use its existing ROW). Clearing of tall-growing 
vegetation within the ROW will be required to insure reliable 
transmission service. As part of the Proposed Action, BPA has decided 
to construct new spur roads, upgrade existing access roads, and remove 
from service some existing roads; and install fiber optic cable on the 
new line and part of the existing

[[Page 44533]]

500-kV line into Raver Substation. The Proposed Action also includes a 
commitment to a variety of mitigation measures described in the 
mitigation section.

    Issued in Portland, Oregon, on July 21, 2003.
Stephen J. Wright,
Administrator and Chief Executive Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-19251 Filed 7-28-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-U