[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 53 (Monday, March 21, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 13540]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5446]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Availability of a Record of Decision on the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement for the Arrowhead-Weston Transmission 
Line River Crossing/Right-of-Way Request, Saint Croix National Scenic 
River

AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

SUMMARY: Pursuant to Sec.  102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, Public Law 91-190, 83 Stat. 852, 853, as codified 
as amended at 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service (NPS) 
announces the availability of the record of decision for the Arrowhead-
Weston Transmission Line River Crossing/Right-Of-Way Request. On 
February 23, the Director, Midwest Region, approved the record of 
decision for the crossing/right-of-way (ROW) request. Specifically, the 
NPS has selected the preferred alternative (alternative 1: Long-span 
option) as described in the final environmental impact statement (EIS). 
Under the selected action, the NPS will issue a 120-foot wide ROW 
permit to Minnesota Power, Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, and 
American Transmission Company (the Applicants) to allow for 
construction and operation of alternative 1: Long-span option, which is 
a double-circuited, alternating current, 161 and 345-kilovolt 
transmission line crossing of the Namekagon River, a segment of the 
Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway (Riverway).
    The selected action and four other alternatives were analyzed in 
the draft and final EIS. The full range of foreseeable environmental 
consequences was assessed. Among the alternatives the NPS considered, 
the selected action best provides a combination of limiting impacts in 
the crossing area and providing enhancements throughout the Riverway. 
The NPS believes the preferred alternative allows for a transmission 
line crossing of the Namekagon River while minimizing and compensating 
for impacts to the Riverway. The river crossing will have no impact on 
the free-flowing characteristics of the Namekagon River and is 
consistent with the park's general management plan which calls for new 
crossings to be consolidated in existing crossings. The preferred will 
allow supporting structures to be set back from line-of-sight of the 
river, and will require less ground, vegetation, and ongoing 
maintenance disturbances. The compensatory mitigation package will 
eliminate up to eight distribution line crossings, provide noise 
abatement measures on a nearby stretch of the Riverway, and provide 
funds for studies and activities to enhance scenery and recreation 
along the Riverway.
    The record of decision includes a statement of the decision made, 
synopses of other alternatives considered, the basis for the decision, 
the rationale for why the selected action is the environmentally 
preferred alternative, a finding on impairment of park resources and 
values, and an overview of public involvement in the decisionmaking 
process.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Jill Medland, Saint Croix National 
Scenic Riverway, 401 Hamilton Street, P.O. Box 708, Saint Croix Falls, 
Wisconsin 54024; phone 715 483-3284, extension 609. Copies of the 
record of decision may be obtained from the contact listed above.

    Dated: February 22, 2005.
Ernest Quintana,
Regional Director, Midwest Region.
[FR Doc. 05-5446 Filed 3-18-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-96-P