[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 48 (Thursday, March 11, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11592-11593]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-5426]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Golden Valley Electric Association, Inc.; Notice of Finding of No 
Significant Impact

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of finding of no significant impact.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 
has made a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for a project 
proposed by Golden Valley Electric Association, Inc., (GVEA) of 
Fairbanks, Alaska. The project consists of constructing a 138kV 
transmission line between the GVEA North Pole Power Plant, North Pole, 
Alaska, and the Carney Substation, which is approximately 22 miles 
southeast of North Pole.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nurul Islam, Environmental Protection 
Specialist, U.S. Department of Agriculture, RUS, Engineering and 
Environmental Staff, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20250-1571, telephone (202) 720-1414, Fax: (202) 720-0820, e-mail: 
[email protected]. Information is also available from Mr. Greg 
Wyman, Manager of Construction Services, GVEA, PO Box 71249, Fairbanks, 
Alaska 99707-1249, telephone (907) 451-5629. His e-mail address is: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: GVEA proposes to construct the North Pole to 
Carney Substation 138kV Transmission Line Project, which is 
approximately 22 miles in length. The primary purpose of the facility 
is to meet the projected future increases in regional power 
requirements and to improve the quality of service to existing 
customers. To accommodate the new transmission line, a new substation 
would be built next to the existing North Pole Power Plant which is 
located near the Williams Alaska Petroleum Refinery. In addition, GVEA 
would modify the existing Carney Substation to provide an additional 
breaker to allow for termination of the transmission line. The 
modification of the Carney Substation work would take place within the 
existing substation footprint. The proposed transmission line would be 
single circuit, with three-phase, constructed to operate at a voltage 
of 138 kV and supported by wood-pole, H-frame structures that would be 
approximately 75 ft. in height. The line would be constructed within a 
right-of-way that would be approximately 100 ft. in width.
    Alternatives to the proposed project are discussed in detail in the 
environmental assessment (EA). They include no action, load management, 
purchase of power, upgrading of the existing line, construction of a 
new transmission line, substation locations, etc. Based on the 
analysis, the construction of a new transmission line, a new substation 
at the North Pole Power Plant, and modifications to the Carney 
Substation were found to meet the purpose and need for the project.
    GVEA submitted an environmental report (ER) to RUS, which addresses 
the potential environmental impacts of the project. The ER includes 
input from federal, state, and local agencies. RUS has reviewed and 
accepted the ER as RUS' EA for the project in accordance with RUS' 
Environmental Policies and Procedures, 7 CFR 1794.41. The EA was made 
available to Federal, State, and local government agencies for their 
review and comments. GVEA published notices of the availability of the 
EA for public review in the Fairbanks Daily News Miner on January 17 
and 18, 2004. The EA was also made available for public review at the 
Noel Wien Public Library, North Pole City Library, and RUS office in 
Washington, DC. The 30-day comment period on the EA for the project 
ended on February 20, 2004. The Department of Natural Resources, Office 
of the Habitat Management and Permitting (OHMP); Office of the History 
and Archaeology; Bureau of Land Management (BLM); and the

[[Page 11593]]

Alyeska Pipeline Service Company (APSC) have commented on the project. 
No public comments were received on the EA.
    A Habitat Permit from the OHMP will be required for equipment 
crossings and snow ramp/ice road construction over the anadromous 
streams. GVEA will obtain all necessary permits including the Habitat 
Permit from OHMP. The BLM would be responsible for issuing an 
authorization for third party use of military reservation lands that 
would be withdrawn for use other than military purposes under Pub. L. 
105-65. The State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) of Alaska 
recommended an archaeological survey of the final route for the 
transmission line. GVEA will conduct an archaeological survey and the 
survey report will be made available to SHPO for review and comment. No 
construction related activities will be undertaken prior to final 
approval from SHPO and RUS. GVEA has agreed to consult with APSC on 
final routing of the transmission line when it would be necessary 
either to cross or be near the pipeline.
    Any final action by RUS related to the proposed project will be 
subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant Federal 
environmental laws and regulations and completion of environmental 
review procedures as prescribed by the 7 CFR part 1794, RUS 
Environmental Policies and Procedures.

    Dated: March 4, 2004.
Blaine D. Stockton,
Assistant Administrator, Electric Program, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 04-5426 Filed 3-10-04; 8:45 am]
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