[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 203 (Friday, October 21, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61246-61247]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-21083]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Georgia Transmission Corporation; Notice of Availability of an 
Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability of an Environmental Assessment for 
public review.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 
proposes to prepare an Environmental Assessment related to possible 
financial assistance to Georgia Transmission Corporation (GTC) for the 
construction of approximately 4.4 miles of 230 kilovolt transmission 
line, a 230/25 kilovolt transmission substation, and a 230 kilovolt 
switching station. The proposed 230-kilovolt transmission line and 
substation projects would be located in Gwinnett County, Georgia. GTC 
is requesting RUS provide financing for the proposed project.
    A less than 0.1 acre portion of the project will be located in a 
wetland. Alternatives, including no action, were considered; however, 
no practicable alternatives were identified that would avoid having an 
impact on the wetland. Comments or suggestions for mitigating impacts 
to the wetland are welcome.

DATES: Written comments on this Notice must be received on or before 
November 21, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be sent to: Stephanie Strength, 
Environmental Protection Specialist, USDA, Rural Development, Utilities 
Programs, Engineering and Environmental Staff, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250-1571. Telephone: (202) 
720-0468 or e-mail [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Strength, Environmental 
Protection Specialist, USDA, Rural Development, Utilities Programs, 
Engineering and Environmental Staff, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250-1571. Telephone: (202) 720-0468 or e-
mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Georgia Transmission Corporation proposes to 
construct a 230 kilovolt transmission line between the Jim Moore 
Substation (located on Auburn Road (SR324), 3.2 miles north of Dacula, 
Georgia, and 14.3 miles northwest of Auburn, Georgia) to the Old 
Freeman Mill Road Switching Station (located 2 miles northeast of 
Dacula, Georgia and 0.2 miles south of State Highway 29 (Winder 
Highway) on Old Freemans Mill Road. The transmission line connects the 
Old Freeman Mill switching station in-line with the existing 
Lawrenceville-Winder Primary 230 kilovolt Transmission Line to the 
proposed Jim Moore Road 230/25 kilovolt transmission substation. 
Concrete or steel poles ranging in height from 85 to 115-feet would 
support the conductors and would require a right-of-way of 25 to 100 
feet. The approximate length of the transmission line is 4.4 miles. It 
is anticipated that the transmission line and substations would be in 
service by the summer of 2006.
    Alternatives considered by RUS and Georgia Transmission Corporation 
include: (a) No action, (b) alternative transmission improvements, and 
(c) alternative transmission line corridors. An environmental report, 
which describes the project further and discusses anticipated 
environmental impacts thereof has been prepared by Georgia Transmission 
Corporation.
    The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) has accepted the ER as its 
environmental assessment (EA) of the project and is available for 
public review. The Report is available for public review at RUS at the 
address provided in this notice, or at the Georgia Transmission 
Corporation, 2100 East Exchange Place, Tucker, Georgia 30084.
    Questions and comments should be sent to RUS at the address 
provided. RUS should receive comments on the EA in writing by November 
21, 2005 to ensure that they are considered in the environmental impact 
determination.
    Should RUS determine, based on the Environmental Assessment of the 
project, that the impacts of the construction and operation of the 
transmission projects would not have a significant environmental 
impact, it will prepare a Finding of No Significant Impact. Public 
notification of a Finding

[[Page 61247]]

of No Significant Impact would be published in the Federal Register and 
in newspapers with a circulation in the project area.
    Any final action by RUS related to the proposed project will be 
subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant Federal, 
State and local environmental laws and regulations and completion of 
the environmental review requirements as prescribed in the RUS 
Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR part 1794).

    Dated: October 17, 2005.
Glendon D. Deal,
Director, Engineering and Environmental Staff, USDA/Rural Development/
Utilities Programs.
[FR Doc. 05-21083 Filed 10-20-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P