[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 18 (Wednesday, January 28, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4535-4536]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-01541]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Basin Electric Power Cooperative: Notice of Availability of an 
Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability of an Environmental Assessment.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) 
is issuing an Environmental Assessment (EA) in connection with 
potential impacts related to the proposed Big Bend to Witten 
Transmission Line Project by the Basin Electric Power Cooperative 
(Basin Electric). Basin

[[Page 4536]]

Electric is requesting RUS financial assistance for the proposed 
action.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received on or before 
February 27, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To obtain copies of the EA, or for 
further information, contact Richard Fristik, Senior Environmental 
Protection Specialist, USDA, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW., Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250-1571, Telephone: (202) 720-
5093, Email: [email protected].
    You may also contact Kevin L. Solie, Basin Electric Power 
Cooperative, Inc., 1717 East Interstate Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58503-
0564, Telephone: (701) 557-5495, Email: [email protected].
    The public may view a copy of the EA online at the following Agency 
Web site:
     http://www.usda.gov/rus/water/ees/ea.htm.
    The public may also view a copy of the EA at the following 
locations:
     Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., 
Room 2240, Washington, DC 20250.
     Basin Electric Power Cooperative, 1717 East Interstate 
Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58503-0564.
    Send questions and comments to Richard Fristik, Senior 
Environmental Protection Specialist, USDA, Rural Utilities Service at 
the address provided.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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) switchyard called Lower Brule Switchyard, 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 Switchyard. Construction at the Lower Brule Switchyard 
and Witten Substation will include communications facilities, a 
microwave relay tower, and an associated building. Western and the 
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) are cooperating agencies in preparation 
of the EA. The agencies and the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe have closely 
cooperated with each other to prepare the EA and address issues related 
to a portion of the proposed transmission line that crosses Indian 
trust lands.
    The network transmission system in South Dakota is not able to 
accommodate the next several years of projected load growth. The 
proposed action will strengthen the transmission network, improve 
transmission system reliability, and help meet future demand for 
electricity and economic development in the region. In addition to 
increasing the load serving ability for both Rosebud and West Central 
Electric Cooperatives, the Project would provide additional access to 
the regional high voltage transmission system.
    The proposed Big Bend to Witten line would enhance system 
reliability by providing an additional connection to the ``grid'' 
roughly midpoint along this east-west line. If a storm damaged a 
portion of the Fort Randall to Martin 115-kV line, the Big Bend to 
Witten line could provide power to the undamaged segments of the line. 
The proposed line would also provide a tap point for West Central near 
Reliance, which would enhance the reliability and stability of the West 
Central system. The tap point near Reliance would provide an additional 
power line to the Lower Brule Sioux Indian Reservation, which currently 
has only one older line, and would provide reliability and stability to 
power on the Reservation. In addition, future wind-generation 
facilities may be able to interconnect to the proposed line to convey 
power to West Central's markets. Lastly, the Project lends itself to 
additional build-out that supports Western's long-range plan for a 230-
kV system in southern South Dakota, and would provide increased load 
serving capacity such that the delivery needs of the projected network 
load could be met in a reliable manner.
    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). AECOM, an environmental consultant, prepared an EA for RUS that 
describes the project and assesses the proposed project's environmental 
impacts. RUS conducted an independent evaluation of the EA and believed 
it accurately assessed the impact of the proposed project. No 
significant impacts are expected as a result of the construction of the 
project.
    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 at 7 CFR part 1794.

    Dated: January 21, 2015.
Richard Fristik,
Acting Director, Engineering and Environmental Staff, Rural Utilities 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-01541 Filed 1-27-15; 8:45 am]
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