[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 123 (Tuesday, June 28, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37080-37083]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-12691]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Angeles National Forest, California, Antelope-Pardee 500-kV 
Transmission Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a joint environmental impact 
statement/report.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the USDA Forest Service, together 
with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), will prepare a 
joint Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Environmental Impact 
Report (EIR) in response to applications received from Southern 
California Edison for construction of a new 25.6-mile 500-kilovolt (kV) 
transmission line between the proponent's existing 220-kV Antelope and 
Pardee substations that are located in Los Angeles County, California. 
The Forest Service is the lead Federal agency for the preparation of 
this EIS/EIR in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) and all other applicable laws, executive orders, regulations, 
and direction. The CPUC is the lead State of California agency for the 
preparation of the EIS/EIR in compliance with the California 
Environmental Quality Act

[[Page 37081]]

(CEQA), California Public Resource Code Division 13, and all other 
applicable laws and regulations. Both agencies have determined an EIS/
EIR is needed to effectively analyze the proposal and evaluate impacts. 
The new 500-kV transmission line would replace the existing 100-foot 
right-of-way 66 kV-line along 17.5 miles of the proposed route. 
Approximately 13 miles of the Antelope-Pardee 500-kV Transmission 
Project would be located in a 160-foot right-of-way on National Forest 
System land (managed by the Angeles National Forest). Approximately 
three miles of the proposed project would be constructed in a new 
right-of-way outside of the Angeles National Forest. The proposed 
project also includes an expansion and upgrade of the Antelope 
Substation from 220 kV to 500 kV, and the relocation of several 
existing 66-kV subtransmission lines near the Antelope Substation. The 
USDA Forest Service and the CPUC invite written comments on the scope 
of this proposed project. In addition, the agencies give notice of this 
analysis so that interested and affected individuals are aware of how 
they may participate and contribute to the final decision.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by July 29, 2005. Two public information and scoping meetings are 
proposed to provide information about the proposed project to the 
public and to allow people to comment on the proposed project. The 
draft EIS/EIR is expected in September 2005 and the final EIS/EIR is 
expected in December 2005.

ADDRESSES: To request a copy of the draft or final EIS/EIR and/or to 
send written comments, please write to the Angeles National Forest and/
or California Public Utilities Commission, c/o Aspen Environmental 
Group, 30423 Canwood Street, Suite 215, Agoura Hills, CA 91301.
    E-mail communications are also welcome; however, please remember to 
include your name and a return address in the email message. E-mail 
messages should be sent to [email protected]. Information 
about this application and the environmental review process will be 
posted on the Internet at: http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/environment/info/aspen/antelopepardee/antelopepardee.htm. This site will be used to post 
all public documents during the environmental review process and to 
announce up-coming public meetings.
    Public meeting locations will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the following 
locations: Desert Inn Hotel, June 29, 2005, 44219 Sierra Highway, 
Lancaster, CA 93534; and Santa Clarita Activity Center, July 14, 2005, 
20880 Centre Point Parkway, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information related to 
the project on National Forest System land, contact Marian Kadota, 
Planning Forester, Forest Service, 6755 Hollister Avenue, Suite 150, 
Goleta, CA 93117; phone: (805) 961-5732. For additional information 
related to the project on non-National Forest System land, contact John 
Boccio, California Public Utilities Commission, 505 Van Ness Avenue, 
San Francisco, CA 94102; phone: (415) 703-2641. Project information can 
also be requested by leaving a voice message or sending a fax to the 
Project Information Hotline at (661) 215-5152.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Proposed Action

    Southern California Edison would construct, use, and maintain a new 
25.6-mile 500-kV transmission line between the proponent's existing 
220-kV Antelope and Pardee substations that are located in Los Angeles 
County, California. The proposed transmission line will cross 
approximately 13 miles of National Forest System land managed by the 
Angeles National Forest. To accomplish the proposed action, the Forest 
Service Responsible Official would have Southern California Edison 
remove a 66-kV transmission line (along with its ancillary 
improvements) and would authorize a 50-year term Special Use Easement 
for a 13-mile, 160-foot wide right-of-way, for construction, use, and 
maintenance of a portion of the 25.6-mile 500-kV line along that same 
transmission line route. The authorization will include ancillary 
improvements on National Forest System lands including towers, access 
roads to construct and maintain the line, and a fiber optical ground 
wire along the line as a secondary telecommunication path. This 
proposed action would involve lands managed by the Santa Clara/Mojave 
Rivers Ranger District, Angeles National Forest in portions of Sections 
within Township 5 North, Range 15 West; Township 5 North, Range 16 
West; Township 6 North, Range 14 West; and Township 6 North, Range 15 
West, San Bernardino Base and Meridian. This authorization would be 
part of the CPUC issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and 
Necessity to permit construction of the new 25.6-mile 500-kV 
transmission line along with the ancillary improvements.
    The proposed transmission system off National Forest System lands 
includes three miles of new right-of-way, the relocation of sections of 
66-kV and 12-kV facilities, and an expansion and upgrade of the 
Antelope Substation from 220 kV to 500 kV, including the physical 
expansion of the Antelope Substation by 31 acres. Ancillary 
improvements also include towers and the construction of two 
telecommunication paths between Antelope and Pardee substations. Lands 
other than National Forest System lands that would be impacted are 
located in portions of Sections within Township 4 North, Range 16 West; 
Township 7 North, Range 13 West; and, Township 7 North, Range 14 West, 
San Bernardino Base and Meridian. Construction activities associated 
with the proposed action would include grading areas to upgrade 
improvements to the Antelope Substation, 114 new towers, repairing 
existing access and spur roads along with the temporary use and 
construction of spur roads to approximately 20 tower locations, and the 
temporary use of approximately 24 new pulling locations and 15 new 
splicing locations.
    The transmission line would be initially energized at 220 kV with 
the intent to help accommodate up to 4,400 megawatts (MW) of potential 
wind generation located north of Antelope, California in the future by 
energizing the system to 500 kV.

Purpose and Need for Action

    The purpose for this action is to upgrade the transmission system 
from Antelope Substation located near Lancaster, California to the 
Pardee Substation located near Santa Clarita, California. The existing 
transmission path from the Antelope to Vincent (located south of 
Palmdale, California) substations is fully loaded (at capacity) and 
Southern California Edison has identified the need for additional 
transmission and substation facilities between the Antelope and Pardee 
substations. This upgrade is needed to aid in interconnecting and 
integrating energy generated from a proposed 201-MW wind project 
located 8.5 miles northwest of the Antelope Substation located near 
Lancaster, California into Southern California Edison's electrical 
system.

Background

    Southern California Edison has proposed that the construction of a 
500-kV transmission system would help to accommodate up to 4,400 MW of 
potential proposed wind generation that may be located north of 
Antelope, and would avoid the future construction, tearing down, and 
replacement of

[[Page 37082]]

multiple 220-kV facilities with 500-kV facilities. The proposed 500-kV 
transmission line would prevent overloading of the existing 
transmission facilities in order to allow the 201 MW to be safely 
transferred to serve system load.
    Under Sections 210 and 212 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824 
(i) and (k)) and Sections 3.2 and 5.7 of the California Independent 
System Operator's Tariff, Southern California Edison is obligated to 
interconnect and integrate this wind energy project into its system. In 
addition, the 2001 National Energy Policy goals are to increase 
domestic energy supplies, modernize and improve our nation's energy 
infrastructure, and improve the reliability of the delivery of energy 
from its sources to points of use. Executive Order 13212 encourages 
increased production and transmission of energy in a safe and 
environmentally sound manner. According to Executive Order 13212, for 
energy related projects, agencies shall expedite their review of 
permits or take other actions as necessary to accelerate the completion 
of such projects. The agencies shall take such actions to the extent 
permitted by law and regulations, and where appropriate. Based on the 
1987 Angeles National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, the 
proposed route is within a designated utility corridor. The proposal 
complies with the Angeles National Forest Land and Resources Management 
Plan, which requires utility companies to upgrade size of transmission 
facilties to maximum capacity within existing corridors before new 
utility corridors are considered.

Possible Alternatives

    Presently, the USDA Forest Service and the CPUC have identified 
preliminary action alternatives for consideration in the environmental 
analysis. The preliminary action alternatives include two other 
alternative routes for the proposed 500-kV transmission line, a 
construction alternative to locate all or portions of the proposed 
transmission line underground, and an alternative for the types and 
number of towers that would be used.
    The alternatives currently under consideration (besides the 
proposed action) are:
     The No-Action Alternative, under which the proposed 500-kV 
transmission line would not be constructed and no expansion activities 
at the Antelope Substation would occur.
     The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) 
Transmission Line Route Alternative that would construct the 500-kV 
transmission line along a 22.8-mile alternative route between the 
Antelope and Pardee substations. The route would travel within portions 
of the existing LADWP right-of-way, and would traverse the Angeles 
National Forest for 14.4 miles.
     The Non-National Forest System Land Alternative that would 
avoid National Forest lands. This alternative will be developed during 
the environmental review process.
     The Underground Alternative that would construct all or 
portions of the 500-kV transmission line underground along the proposed 
project route.
     The Tower, Conductor, and Voltage Alternative that would 
use single-circuit, 500-kV towers along the entire project route in 
place of the double-circuit, 500-kV towers that have been proposed 
along portions of the route.
    The final alternatives analyzed in detail will depend on the issues 
raised during public scoping and further investigation of the 
feasibility of alternatives.

Lead and Cooperating Agencies

    The USDA Forest Service and the CPUC will be joint lead agencies in 
accordance with 40 CFR 1501.5(b), and are responsible for the 
preparation of the EIS/EIR. The Forest Service will serve as the lead 
agency under NEPA. The CPUC will serve as the lead agency under CEQA.
    Scoping will determine if additional cooperating agencies are 
needed.

Responsible Official

    The Forest Service responsible official for the preparation of the 
EIS/EIR is Jody Noiron, Forest Supervisor, Angeles National Forest, 701 
N. Santa Anita Avenue, Arcadia, CA 91006.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The Forest Supervisor for the Angeles National Forest will decide 
whether or not to have Southern California Edison remove the 66-kV line 
(along with the ancillary improvements) and authorize a 50-year term 
Special Use Easement for a 13-mile, 160-foot wide right-of-way for 
contruction, use, and maintenance of a 500-kV line along that same 
transmission line route (or alternate route). The authorization will 
include ancillary improvements on National Forest System lands needed 
to maintain this system (e.g., towers, roads, communication equipment). 
If this alternative is approved, the Forest Supervisor will also decide 
what mitigation measures and monitoring will be required. The Forest 
Supervisor will only make a decision regarding impacts on National 
Forest System lands. The Forest Supervisor will not have a decision to 
make if the CPUC selects an alternative for the Antelope-Pardee 500-kV 
Transmission Project that does not involve National Forest System 
lands.

Scoping Process

    Public participation will be especially important at several stages 
during the analysis. The lead agencies will be seeking information, 
comments, and assistance from Federal, State, local agencies, and other 
individuals and organizations that may be interested in or affected by 
the proposed project. This input will be used in preparation of the 
draft EIS/EIR. The scoping process includes:
     Inviting the participation of affected Federal, State, and 
local agencies, and affected Native American tribes, the proponent of 
the action and other interested persons.
     Determining the scope and the significant issues to be 
analyzed in depth in the EIS.
     Identifying and eliminating from detailed study the issues 
that are not significant or that have been covered by prior 
environmental review.
     Indicating any public environmental assessments and other 
EISs that are being or will be prepared that are related to but are not 
part of the scope of this impact statement.
     Identifying potential environmental effects of the 
alternatives identified to date. Two scoping meetings are proposed to 
provide information about the proposed project to the public and to 
allow people to comment on the proposed project. The scoping meetings 
will be held on the following dates, locations and times: Desert Inn 
Hotel, June 29, 2005, 6:30 p.m., 44219 Sierra Highway, Lancaster, CA 
93534; Santa Clarita Activity Center, July 14, 2005, 6:30 p.m., 20880 
Centre Point Parkway, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.

Preliminary Issues

    A number of potential impacts were identified in the Proponent's 
Environmental Assessment Antelope Transmission Project, Segment 1 
issued by Southern California Edison on December 9, 2004. The following 
preliminary issues were identified in this report related to the 
proposed project: Visual impacts; air quality impacts; impacts to 
biological, cultural, and geological resources; impacts resulting from 
hazards and hazardous materials; impacts to hydrology and water 
quality; land use and noise impacts; impacts to public services and 
utilities; recreation impacts; and

[[Page 37083]]

impacts to traffic and transportation. Other issues identified are 
impacts to future forest management projects (e.g., fuel hazard 
reduction projects and fire fighting strategies), Electric and Magnetic 
Fields and Health Effects, and impacts from noxious weeds.

Permits or Licenses Required

    A 50-year term Special Use Easement for the construction, 
maintenance, and use of the 500-kV transmission line would be 
authorized to Southern California Edison by the Regional Director of 
Natural Resource Management of the Forest Service, and a Certificate of 
Public Convenience and Necessity would be issued by the California 
Public Utility Commission as part of this decision. Additional permits 
that may be required of Southern California Edison to construct the 
proposed project could include: A Permit to Operate issued by the South 
Coast Air Quality Management District, a National Pollutant Discharge 
Elimination System General Construction Permit issued by California's 
Regional Water Quality Control Board, a Section 404 Permit (per Section 
404 of the Clean Water Act) issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 
and a Streambed Alteration Agreement ( per Section 1601 of the 
California Fish and Game Code) issued by the California Department of 
Fish and Game.

Comment Requested

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process that guides the 
development of the EIS/EIR. The Forest Service is seeking public and 
agency comment on the proposed project to identify major issues to be 
analyzed in depth and assistance in identifying potential alternatives 
to be evaluated. Comments received to this notice, including the names 
and addresses of those who comment, will be considered as part of the 
public record on this proposed project, and will be available for 
public inspection. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and 
considered; however, those who submit anonymous comments will not have 
standing to appeal the subsequent decision under 36 CFR Part 215. 
Additionally, pursuant to 7 CFR 1.27(d), any person may request the 
agency to withhold a submission from the public record by showing how 
the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) permits such confidentiality. 
Persons requesting such confidentiality should be aware that, under the 
FOIA, confidentiality may be granted in only very limited 
circumstances, such as to protect trade secrets. The Forest Service 
will inform the requester of the agency's decision regarding the 
request for confidentiality. Where the request is denied, the agency 
will return the submission and notify the requester that the comments 
may be resubmitted, without names and addresses, within a specified 
number of days.

Early Notice of Importance of Public Participation in Subsequent 
Environmental Review

    A draft EIS/EIR will be prepared for comment. The comment period on 
the draft EIS/EIR will be 45 days from the date the Environmental 
Protection Agency publishes the notice of availability in the Federal 
Register.
    The Forest Service believes, at this early stage, that it is 
important to give reviewers notice of several court rulings related to 
public participation in the environmental review process. First, 
reviewers of draft EISs must structure their participation in the 
environmental review of the proposal so that it is meaningful and 
alerts an agency to the reviewer's position and contentions. Vermont 
Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 553 (1978). Also, 
environmental objections that could be raised at the draft 
environmental EIS stage but that are not raised until after completion 
of the final EIS may be waived or dismissed by the courts. City of 
Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 1016, 1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin 
Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). 
Because of these court rulings, it is very important that those 
interested in this proposed action participate by the close of the 45-
day comment period so that substantive comments and objections are made 
available to the Forest Service at a time when it can meaningfully 
consider them and respond to them in the final EIS/EIR.
    To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues 
and concerns on the proposed project, comments on the draft EIS/EIR 
should be as specific as possible. It is also helpful if comments refer 
to specific pages or chapters of the draft statement. Comments may also 
address the adequacy of the draft EIS/EIR or the merits of the 
alternatives formulated and discussed in the statement. Reviewers may 
wish to refer to the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for 
implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA at 40 CFR 1503.3 in 
addressing these points.

(Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22; Forest Service Handbook 
1909.15, Section 21)

    Dated: June 22, 2005.
Susan R. Swinson,
Acting Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 05-12691 Filed 6-27-05; 8:45 am]
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