[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 85 (Thursday, May 1, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 24040]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-9580]


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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 (EA) for 
Public Review.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an Agency delivering the 
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development 
Utilities Programs, hereinafter referred to as Rural Development and/or 
the Agency, has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) related to 
possible financial assistance to Georgia Transmission Corporation (GTC) 
for the construction of approximately 38.7-miles of 500 kilovolt (kV) 
transmission line that would connect Georgia Power Company's existing 
Thomson Primary 500/230/115/46 kV Substation to Georgia Power Company's 
existing Warthen 500 kV Switching Station. GTC is requesting Rural 
Development provide financial assistance for the proposed project 
located in McDuffie, Warthen, Glascock and Washington Counties, 
Georgia.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received on or before 
June 2, 2008.

ADDRESSES: To obtain copies of the EA, or for further information, 
contact: Stephanie Strength, Environmental Protection Specialist, USDA, 
Rural Development Utilities Programs, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250-1571, phone (202) 720-0468, e-mail 
[email protected] or Gayle Houston, Environmental and 
Regulatory Coordinator, GTC, 2100 East Exchange Place, Tucker, Georgia 
30084-5336, phone (770) 270-7748, e-mail [email protected]. A 
copy of the EA may be viewed online at the Agency's Web site: http://www.usda.gov/rus/water/ees/ea.htm and at the following locations:

Jefferson Electric Membership Cooperative, Highway 17 North, Wrens, GA 
30833, (706) 547-2167.
Washington Electric Membership Corporation, 238 Harris Street, 
Sandersville, GA 31082, (478) 552-5552.
Glascock County Public Library, 738 Railroad Avenue, Gibson, GA 30810, 
Phone: 706-598-9837.
Harlem Library, 375 North Louisville Street, Harlem, GA 30814, Phone: 
706-556-9795.
Hancock County Library, 403 East Broad Street, Sparta, GA 31087, Phone: 
706-444-5389.
Rosa M. Tarbutton Memorial Library, 314 South Harris Street, 
Sandersville, GA 31082, Phone: 478-552-6324.
Thomson McDuffie County Library, 338 Main Street, Thomson, GA 30824, 
Phone: 706-595-1341.
Warren County Library, 101 Warren Street, Warrenton, GA 30828, Phone: 
706-465-2656.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: GTC proposes to construct a 38.7-mile, 500 
kV Transmission Line on a 150-foot right-of-way with structures 80 to 
150-feet out-of-ground to distribute power to the Augusta, Georgia 
area. The preferred route is the alternative with the least impact to 
the environment and communities in the area. The preferred route begins 
at the existing Thomson 500/230/115/46 kV Substation located at the 
intersection of Randall-Davis Road and Davis Road in Thomson, GA and 
follows an existing 46 kV Transmission Line southwest for approximately 
one mile. The route then turns in a westerly direction for 36 miles, 
crossing the Little Ogeechee River. The route turns northwest and 
terminates at the existing Warthen Switching Station located at 1600 
Mills Lindsay School Road, Warthen, Georgia.
    The EA concludes that the proposed Thomson-Warthen 500 kV 
Transmission Line would not have a significant impact on the human, 
cultural or natural environment.
    Rural Development has reviewed and accepted the document as its EA 
of the proposed project. The EA is available for public review at 
addresses provided above in this Notice. Written questions and comments 
should be sent to USDA Rural Development at the mailing or e-mail 
addresses provided above in this Notice. Rural Development should 
receive comments on the EA in writing by June 2, 2008 to ensure that 
they are considered in its environmental impact determination.
    Should USDA Rural Development determine, based on the EA of the 
proposed project, that the impacts of the construction and operation of 
the project would not have a significant environmental impact, it will 
prepare a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). Public notification 
of a FONSI would be published in the Federal Register and in newspapers 
with circulation in the project area.
    Any final action by Rural Development 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 in Rural 
Development's Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR Part 1794).

    Dated: April 22, 2008.
Mark S. Plank,
Director, Engineering and Environmental Staff, USDA/Rural Development/
Utilities Programs.
[FR Doc. E8-9580 Filed 4-30-08; 8:45 am]
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