[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 12, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20311-20312]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-8719]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Basin Electric Power Cooperative: Notice of Intent To Hold Public 
Scoping Meetings and Prepare an Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to hold public scoping meetings and prepare an 
Environmental Assessment (EA).

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) intends to hold public 
scoping meetings and prepare an Environmental Assessment with Scoping 
(EA) to meet its responsibilities under the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) and 7 CFR part 1794 in connection with potential 
impacts related to a proposed project by Basin Electric Power 
Cooperative (Basin Electric). The proposed Big Bend to Witten 
Transmission Line Project (proposed action) consists of an 
approximately 70-mile long 230-kV single-circuit transmission line, a 
new Western Area Power Administration (Western) substation called Lower 
Brule Substation, an addition to the existing Witten Substation, and 
approximately two miles of 230-kV double-circuit transmission line 
between Big Bend Dam and the new Lower Brule Substation. It is 
anticipated that some communication facility additions or enhancements 
may be necessary for the project including radio towers and buildings 
at Lower Brule Substation, Witten Substation, and one or two 
intermediate sites. Basin Electric is requesting RUS financial 
assistance for the proposed action.

DATES: RUS will conduct public scoping meetings in an open house format 
to provide information and solicit comments for the preparation of the 
EA. The scoping meetings will be held on the following dates: The 
American Legion Post 179, 109 North 5th Avenue, Reliance, SD, on 
Tuesday April 26, 2011, 4-7 p.m.; The Holiday Inn Express and Suites, 
1360 East Highway 44, Winner, SD, on Wednesday April 27, 2011, 4-7 p.m.

ADDRESSES: To send comments or request additional information, contact: 
Mr. Richard Fristik, Senior Environmental Protection Specialist, USDA, 
Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 1571, 
Washington, DC 20250-1571. Telephone: (202) 720-5093 or e-mail: 
[email protected].
    A Macro Corridor and Alternative Evaluation Study has been prepared 
for the proposed project. The document is available for public review 
prior to and during the public scoping meetings. The report is 
available at the RUS address provided in this notice and on the 
agency's Web site at: http://www.usda.gov/rus/water/ees/ea.htm, the 
offices of Basin Electric and the following repositories:

Kennebec Public Library, 203 S Main, Kennebec, SD 57544
Tripp County Library--Grossenburg Memorial, 442 Monroe Street, Winner, 
SD 57580

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The network transmission system in South 
Dakota is not able to accommodate projected load growth by 2014. The 
major impact is the addition of the pumping station loads associated 
with the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. Seven pumping stations are 
proposed to be located in South Dakota. The two pumping stations to be 
connected to the Witten Substation and Gregory Substation would have a 
large impact on the network transmission system. These substations are 
located in a relatively remote area from a network transmission 
perspective and therefore do not have a strong redundant transmission 
connection. The existing Western 115-kV line between the Mission 
Substation and the Fort Randall Substation is not able to reliably 
accommodate the ultimate pump station build-out load level. An outage 
of the Fort Randall to Gregory 115-kV line would result in operating 
voltage criteria violations in the areas of Mission and Gregory, SD. 
The addition of the Big Bend to Witten 230-kV transmission line would 
provide an increase in the load serving capacity such that the delivery 
needs of the projected network load can be met in a reliable manner.
    The proposed action consists of an approximately 70-mile long 230-
kV single circuit transmission line, a new Western Substation called 
Lower Brule Substation, an addition to the existing Witten Substation, 
and approximately two miles of 230-kV double-circuit transmission line 
between Big Bend Dam and the new Lower Brule Substation. Lower Brule 
Substation would be a new facility, to be built by Western, near Big 
Bend Dam on the Missouri River. Western would also construct, own, and 
operate approximately two miles of double circuit transmission line 
between Big Bend Dam and the new Lower Brule Substation. The Witten 
Substation is owned by Rosebud Electric Cooperative and is near the 
town of Witten, SD. Basin Electric would build and own the addition to 
the Witten Substation. It is anticipated that some communication 
facility additions or enhancements may be necessary for the project 
including radio towers and buildings at Lower Brule Substation, Witten 
Substation, and one or two intermediate sites.
    Basin Electric is seeking financing from RUS for its ownership of 
the proposed project. Before making a decision to provide financing, 
RUS is required to conduct an environmental review under NEPA in 
accordance with RUS's Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR Part 
1794). Western has agreed to be a cooperating agency in preparation of 
the EA. Government agencies, private organizations, and the public are 
invited to participate in the planning and analysis of the proposed 
action. Representatives from RUS, Western and Basin Electric will be 
available at the scoping meetings to discuss the environmental review 
process, describe the proposed action, discuss the scope of 
environmental issues to be considered, answer questions, and accept 
comments. Comments regarding the proposed action may be submitted 
(orally or in writing) at the public scoping meetings or in writing by 
May 27, 2011, at the Rural Utilities Service address provided in this 
notice. From information provided in the Macro Corridor and 
Alternatives Evaluation Study Report, from government agencies, private 
organizations, and the public, Basin Electric Power Cooperative will 
prepare an environmental analysis to be submitted to RUS for review. 
RUS will review the environmental analysis and determine the 
significance of the

[[Page 20312]]

impacts of the proposal. If accepted, the document will be adopted as 
the environmental assessment (EA) for the proposal. RUS's EA would be 
available for review and comment for 45 days. Should RUS determine, 
based on the EA for the proposal, that impacts associated with the 
construction and operation of the proposal 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 proposal 
area.
    If at any point in the preparation of an EA, RUS determines that 
the proposed action will have a significant effect on the quality of 
the human environment, the preparation of an Environmental Impact 
Statement will be required. Any final action by RUS related to the 
proposed action 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 RUS's Environmental Policies and Procedures.

    Dated: April 5, 2011.
Mark S. Plank,
Director, Engineering and Environmental, Staff, Rural Utilities 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-8719 Filed 4-11-11; 8:45 am]
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