[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 117 (Monday, June 19, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35266-35268]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-9585]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Western Area Power Administration


Construction and Operation of the Trinity Public Utility District 
Direct Interconnection Project, Trinity County, CA

AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
and conduct scoping meetings; Notice of Floodplain and Wetlands 
Involvement.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Western Area Power Administration (Western), Department of 
Energy (DOE), intends to prepare an environmental impact statement 
(EIS) to construct and operate proposed power transmission facilities 
in Trinity County, California. The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the 
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will participate in the preparation of 
the EIS, which will address the proposed removal of about 5.3 miles of 
12-kilovolt (kV) distribution line, and the construction and operation 
of about 16 miles of new 60-kV transmission line, a tap structure and 
associated equipment, and a new switchyard. Input for the scope of the 
EIS may be provided in writing or at a scoping meeting in the project 
area.

DATES: Open-house public scoping meetings will be held:
    1. July 10, 2006, 3 p.m.-7 p.m., Weaverville, CA.
    2. July 11, 2006, 3 p.m.-7 p.m., Redding, CA.
    The public scoping period starts with the publication of this 
notice in the Federal Register and will end at midnight on July 19, 
2006. The Draft EIS is expected to be available in October 2006 and the 
Final EIS in April 2007. Western's Record of Decision (ROD) is expected 
in May 2007. The Draft EIS, Final EIS, and ROD will be issued only 
after Western's Administrator approves these documents.

ADDRESSES: The meeting locations are:
    1. Weaverville--Victorian Inn, 1709 Main Street, Weaverville, CA 
96093.
    2. Redding--Oxford Suites, 1967 Hilltop Drive, Redding, CA 96002.
    Written comments regarding the scoping process should be addressed 
to Ms. Cherie Johnston-Waldear, Western Area Power Administration, 
Sierra Nevada Region, 114 Parkshore Drive, Folsom, CA 95630-4710; fax 
(916) 985-1934; or e-mail [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mark Wieringa, National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Document Manager, Western Area Power 
Administration, Corporate Services Office, P.O. Box 281213, Lakewood, 
CO 80228-8213; fax (720) 962-7263, or e-mail [email protected] for 
information about the proposed project, to be added to the project 
mailing list, or to receive a copy of the Draft EIS. For general 
information on DOE's NEPA review procedures or status of a NEPA review, 
contact Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom, Director of NEPA Policy and Compliance, 
EH-42, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20585, telephone (202) 586-4600 or (800) 472-2756.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Western is a power marketing agency of DOE 
that markets Federal electric power to statutorily defined customers 
including project use, municipalities, irrigation districts, and Native 
American tribes. Western initially proposed to prepare an Environmental 
Assessment (EA) for the proposed Trinity Public Utility District (PUD) 
Direct Interconnection Project on February 25, 2005. The USFS expressed 
concerns regarding potential impacts to the northern spotted owl and 
designated critical habitat and on Late Successional Reserve forest 
areas. Based on a review of the USFS concerns, Western determined to 
prepare an EIS, with USFS and BLM as cooperating agencies.
    The EIS will address the environmental impacts of the removal of 
about 5.3 miles of existing 12-kV distribution line and the 
construction and operation of about 16 miles of new 60-kV transmission 
line, a tap structure and associated equipment, and a new switchyard in 
Trinity County. Western's EIS process will comply with NEPA (42 U.S.C. 
4321-4347, as amended), Council on Environmental Quality regulations 
for implementing NEPA (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] parts 1500-
1508) and DOE NEPA implementing procedures (10 CFR part 1021). Because 
the proposed project may involve action in floodplains, the EIS will 
include a floodplain assessment and floodplain statement of findings 
following DOE regulations for compliance with floodplain and wetlands 
environmental review (10 CFR part 1022).

Purpose and Need

    Western proposes to establish a direct connection between Western's 
Central Valley Project (CVP) and Trinity PUD at a higher voltage to 
strengthen power deliveries and enhance reliability of service. 
Delivery of CVP power to Trinity County, in part, is authorized by the 
Trinity River Division Act.

Proposed Project Description

    The proposed project would include (1) removal of about 5.3 miles 
of old 12-kV distribution line from Trinity Power

[[Page 35267]]

Plant at Trinity Dam to a tap point about 0.75 mile west of Lewiston 
Dam and construction of a new 60-kV transmission line to replace the 
12-kV line on an expansion of the existing right-of-way (ROW), (2) 
construction of a tap structure with three-way switch equipment on the 
new 60-kV transmission line at the location near Lewiston Dam and a 
radial 1.2 miles tap line south to the existing Lewiston Substation on 
Trinity Dam Road, parallel to an existing distribution line, and (3) 
construction of a new 60-kV transmission line on a new ROW from the tap 
point west about 8.5 miles to the proposed new Weaverville Switchyard, 
which would be located about two miles south of Weaverville on the east 
side of Highway 299. Western will use the EIS scoping process to 
explore and refine any reasonable alternatives to the proposed route.
    The new single-circuit 60-kV line would be constructed on single 
poles with steel reinforced aluminum conductors on horizontal line post 
insulators. An overhead ground wire or a fiber optic cable for remote 
operation of the transmission line would be mounted above the 
conductors. The poles would be 50 to 100 feet high, and the span 
between poles would average 350 feet. Specific spans could range from 
100 to 500 feet. On average, there would be 17 poles per mile of 
transmission line, with approximately 272 poles required for the entire 
project. Pole heights, locations, and span lengths would vary depending 
on terrain and topography; structural limitations; cost; visual 
considerations; existing and proposed land uses; crossings of roads, 
canals, and other overhead lines; and other features specific to the 
project. Each pole would be set 8 to 10 feet deep in an augured hole, 
backfilled with excavated material. Some locations would not be 
accessible by vehicles on the ground; at these locations holes would be 
hand-dug and the poles flown in and set by helicopter.
    The proposed new transmission line would require an 80-foot wide 
ROW. Generally the ROW would be acquired by Western as a utility 
easement; the underlying land owner or land manager would retain their 
existing ownership. Existing access roads and logging roads would be 
used to the extent possible for construction access, with a total of 
approximately two miles of new access roads required. These would 
primarily be short spurs from existing access roads to structure 
locations which would be restored after construction and not maintained 
as permanent roads. ROW clearing for the transmission line and new 
roads would require cutting trees. Western would enter into a timber 
contract with the landowner or land management agency for commercial 
timber produced from ROW clearing activities. Slash would be chipped 
for soil stabilization or piled for later burning in accordance with 
landowner or manager requirements.
    Additional details on the individual segments follow:

Segment 1--Trinity Power Plant to Lewiston Tap

    Segment 1 would consist of about 5.3 miles of new 60-kV 
transmission line between Trinity Substation at Trinity Power Plant and 
the tap point west of Lewiston Dam. Except for the last couple of spans 
to the tap point, and dropping off the hill east of the fish hatchery, 
the new line would be centered on an existing ROW presently occupied by 
a Trinity PUD 12-kV distribution line. This existing line would be 
removed and the ROW expanded to 80 feet in width to accommodate the 
larger transmission line. The old poles are not chemically treated and 
would be left along the edge of the ROW, reutilized by the landowner or 
manager, or cut up and placed in the slash piles for burning according 
to the preference of the landowner or manager. Hardware, conductors, 
and insulators would be removed from the ROW and reutilized or 
recycled.
    Segment 1 would require about 90 new poles, four pulling sites, and 
0.5 mile of access road. This segment passes through steep and rugged 
terrain, mostly within the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, with 
portions inside the Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area, both 
administered by the USFS. About 1.0 mile is administered by the Bureau 
of Reclamation, 0.5 mile is owned by Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI), 
and 0.25 mile is private land.

Segment 2--Lewiston Tap to Lewiston Substation

    Segment 2 would consist of constructing approximately 1.2 miles of 
new 60-kV transmission line between Lewiston Tap and Lewiston 
Substation within a new ROW parallel to an existing Trinity PUD 
distribution line. This radial feed would begin at the Lewiston Tap 
structure at the termination of Segment 1 and proceed south to Trinity 
PUD's existing Lewiston Substation on Trinity Dam Road north of 
Lewiston. The tap structure would be a steel pole with a three-way 
switch to accommodate the incoming Segment 1 line from Trinity 
Substation, the Segment 2 tap line to Lewiston Substation, and the 
outgoing Segment 3 line to the new Weaverville Substation. Existing 
access roads would be used, with only very short spurs from the 
existing parallel distribution line access road to the new structure 
locations as needed.
    Segment 2 would require about 20 new poles, two pulling sites, and 
0.3 mile of access road. This segment would cross a mix of National 
Forest, SPI, BLM, and private land as it parallels the Trinity River on 
the west bank.

Segment 3--Lewiston Tap to Weaverville Switchyard

    Segment 3 would consist of about 8.5 miles of new 60-kV 
transmission line in a new ROW starting at Lewiston Tap. The line route 
would proceed west and northwest, then generally southwest to the site 
of the proposed new Weaverville Switchyard, located about two miles 
south of the center of Weaverville on the east side of Highway 299. 
Most of the area that would be crossed is also steep and rugged terrain 
similar to Segment 1. Existing access and logging roads would be used 
to the extent possible, with new roads limited to spurs to reach 
individual structure locations. Inaccessible areas would be reached by 
helicopter.
    Segment 3 would require about 144 new poles, six pulling sites, and 
1.2 miles of new access road. This segment would pass through land 
mostly owned by SPI, with much of the remaining property managed by 
BLM. About 0.25 mile is privately owned. Although this area is also 
rugged terrain, the route follows an existing SPI main access road 
along a ridge for much of its length avoiding the steeper areas and 
minimizing the need for new access roads.

Weaverville Switchyard

    The proposed new Weaverville Switchyard would be constructed about 
two miles south of the center of Weaverville on the east side of 
Highway 299. This facility would have a footprint of approximately 90 
by 110 feet, which would be located next to an abandoned section of old 
Highway 299. The old highway section would be used for access to the 
new switchyard. Two spur lines would connect the switchyard with a 60-
kV transmission line nearby, presently owned by the Pacific Gas and 
Electric Company. This 60-kV transmission line would be acquired by the 
Trinity PUD. The spur lines would replace one span of the existing 
line, thus looping the line in and out of the proposed new switchyard. 
The site is forested and would be obtained from BLM. Any commercial 
timber resulting from clearing the site would be

[[Page 35268]]

purchased from BLM under one of the timber contracts.

Alternatives

    An alternative alignment of the tap line from Lewiston Tap to 
Lewiston Substation was identified, and an alignment crossing above 
Lewiston Dam was also explored. Western will use input from the public 
scoping process to determine if other alternatives should be developed 
and analyzed.

No Action Alternative

    Under the No Action alternative, none of the proposed facilities 
would be constructed, and the existing 12-kV distribution line would be 
left in place.

Agency Responsibilities

    Western has determined an EIS is required, in light of concerns 
about potential impact on northern spotted owls, their designated 
critical habitat, and on Late Successional Reserve forest. Western will 
be the lead Federal agency for preparing the EIS, as defined in 40 CFR 
1501.5. In addition, USFS and BLM have been designated cooperating 
agencies. Western invites interested agencies, tribes, organizations, 
and members of the public to submit comments or suggestions to assist 
in identifying environmental issues and in determining the proper scope 
of the EIS. Western will invite other Federal, State, and local 
agencies, and tribal governments with jurisdiction by law or special 
expertise, with respect to environmental issues, to be cooperating 
agencies on the EIS, as defined in 40 CFR 1501.6. Such agencies also 
may make a request to Western to be a cooperating agency. Designated 
cooperating agencies have certain responsibilities to support the NEPA 
process, as specified in 40 CFR 1501.6 (b).

Environmental Issues

    This notice is to inform agencies and the public of the proposed 
project and solicit comments and suggestions for consideration in 
preparing the scope of the EIS. To help the public frame its comments, 
this notice contains a list of potential environmental issues Western 
has tentatively identified for analysis. These issues include:
    1. Impacts on protected, threatened, endangered, or sensitive 
species of animals or plants or their critical habitats;
    2. Impacts on other biological resources;
    3. Impacts on land use, recreation, and transportation;
    4. Impacts on floodplains and wetlands;
    5. Impacts on cultural or historic resources and tribal values;
    6. Impacts on human health and safety;
    7. Impacts on air, soil, and water resources (including air 
quality, surface water impacts, and ground water impacts);
    8. Visual impacts; and
    9. Socioeconomic impacts and disproportionately high and adverse 
impacts to minority and low-income populations.
    This list is not intended to be all-inclusive or to imply any 
predetermination of impacts. Western invites interested parties to 
suggest specific issues within these general categories, or other 
issues not included above, to be considered in the scope of the EIS.

Public Participation

    Opportunities for public participation are planned for the entire 
EIS process. Western anticipates the EIS process will take about 12 
months and will include open-house public scoping meetings; 
consultation and involvement with appropriate Federal, State, and local 
agencies, and tribal governments; public review and hearings on the 
published Draft EIS; a review and comment period; a published Final 
EIS; and publication of a ROD. The USFS and BLM will publish separate 
RODs on their agency decisions. Additional informal public meetings 
could be held in the proposed project area if public interest and 
issues indicate a need. Western will mail newsletters to the mailing 
list developed for the proposed project to communicate project status 
and developments. Anyone may request to be placed on the mailing list.
    Western will hold a 30-day scoping period to ensure interested 
members of the public, representatives of groups, and Federal, state, 
and local agencies, and tribal governments have an opportunity to 
provide input on the scope of alternatives and issues that will be 
addressed in the EIS. As part of the scoping period, Western will hold 
public open-house scoping meetings near the project area. Interested 
individuals and groups are invited to attend anytime between 3 p.m. and 
7 p.m. according to the dates and locations noted above. The open-house 
scoping meetings will be informal, with Western representatives 
available for one-on-one discussions with attendees.
    Attendees will have the opportunity to view maps of the proposed 
transmission line route, learn about the NEPA process and the proposed 
schedule, suggest changes and improvements to the proposed project, and 
obtain additional information. Written comments regarding environmental 
issues, alternatives, and other scoping issues may be turned in at the 
scoping meetings or may be provided by fax, e-mail, U.S. Postal 
Service, or other carrier to the Western contact provided under 
Addresses above. To be assured consideration, all comments or 
suggestions regarding the appropriate scope of the document must be 
received by July 19, 2006.
    Comments on the proposed project may, however, be submitted at any 
time during the consultation and comment period of the EIS process.

    Dated: June 13, 2006.
Michael S. Hacskaylo,
Administrator.
 [FR Doc. E6-9585 Filed 6-16-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P