[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 178 (Wednesday, September 15, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56094-56096]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-23066]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Western Area Power Administration
[DOE-EIS 0398]
Delta-Mendota Canal Intertie Project
AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of Record of Decision and Floodplain Statement of
Findings.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Western Area Power
Administration (Western), plans to authorize a new interconnection and
design, construct, own, operate, and maintain a new 69-kilovolt (kV)
transmission line and fiber optic cable for delivery of project use
power as part of the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation,
Mid-Pacific Region's (Reclamation) Delta-Mendota Canal (DMC)/California
Aqueduct Intertie (Intertie) project. The Intertie, including the
interconnection to Western's system and transmission line and fiber
optic cable, was analyzed in a Reclamation Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) with the Final EIS dated and released in November 2009.
The EIS was developed in compliance with the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA).
Reclamation issued a Record of Decision (ROD) dated December 28,
2009, to proceed with the Intertie, described as its Proposed Action in
the EIS. The Intertie would be located in Alameda County, California,
and involves constructing and operating a pumping plant, a pipeline
connection between the DMC and the California Aqueduct at Mile 7.2 of
the DMC and Mile 9 of the California Aqueduct, a switchyard, access
roads, and the transmission line. Reclamation served as the lead agency
in the preparation of the NEPA documents for this project. Western, in
accordance with the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations
for Implementing NEPA (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508) and DOE NEPA
Implementing Procedures (10 CFR Part 1021), served as a cooperating
agency. Western adopted the EIS in March 2010 (DOE/EIS-0398) to meet
its NEPA responsibilities for its transmission actions in support of
the Intertie.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David Young, Environmental
Protection Specialist, Western Area Power Administration, Sierra Nevada
Region, 114 Parkshore Drive, Folsom, CA 95630-4710; telephone (916)
353-4542; e-mail [email protected]. Copies of the Draft EIS and Final EIS
are available online at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=1014. For general information about the DOE
NEPA process, visit the DOE NEPA Program Web site at http://nepa.energy.gov/ or contact Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of
NEPA Policy and Compliance, GC-54, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585; telephone (800) 472-
2756.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the Intertie is to improve
the DMC conveyance conditions that restrict the C.W. ``Bill'' Jones
Pumping Plant to less than its original-design authorized pumping
capacity of 4,600 cubic feet per second (cfs) and to improve
operational flexibility for operation, maintenance, and emergency
activities. A lack of operational flexibility presently compromises the
ability of the Central Valley Project, owned and operated by
Reclamation, and the State Water Project to respond to emergencies,
conduct necessary system maintenance, and provide capacity to respond
to environmental opportunities in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River
Delta (Delta). The amount, timing, and location of water deliveries
from the DMC, apparent canal subsidence, siltation, the facility
design, and other factors have resulted in a mismatch between designed/
authorized Jones Pumping Plant export capacity and DMC conveyance
capacity.
The primary project component of the Intertie would be a pumping
plant with four electrically-powered pumping units having a total
pumping capacity of 467 cfs although the maximum average monthly
pumping is expected to be around 400 cfs. Water would be withdrawn from
the DMC through a conventional-style intake structure and pumped uphill
a vertical distance of about 50 feet through belowground pipelines and
be discharged into the California Aqueduct. The pipeline would be
located between the DMC and the California Aqueduct at Mile 7.2 of the
DMC and Mile 9 of the California Aqueduct; all Intertie facilities
would be in Alameda County, California. A switchyard would be located
northwest of the pumping plant. The Intertie would be owned by
Reclamation and operated by the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water
Authority (Water Authority).
Reclamation completed the EIS process and issued a ROD on December
28, 2009, authorizing the construction of the Intertie (Reclamation's
Proposed Action and Preferred Alternative, also referred to as
Alternative 2).
Western's Purpose and Need
Western's purpose and need for the proposed action is a result of
Reclamation's request for an interconnection with Western's system.
Reclamation requires a reliable electrical connection and power supply
to run the Intertie pumps. Western's Open Access Transmission Service
Tariff describes all conditions necessary for access to its
transmission system. Western provides an interconnection to its
transmission system if there is sufficient available capacity, while
considering transmission system reliability and power delivery to
existing customers, and the applicant's objectives.
Western's Proposed Action
Western plans to authorize a new interconnection and design,
construct, own, operate, and maintain a new 69-kV transmission line and
fiber optic cable for delivery of project use power as part of
Reclamation's DMC Intertie project. Western would construct the new
4.5-mile-long 69-kV transmission line and fiber optic cable between its
existing Tracy Substation and Reclamation's new DMC Intertie pumping
plant switchyard. The transmission line would run parallel to the DMC
for approximately 4.5 miles and would be constructed entirely on the
west side of the canal and within the existing previously disturbed
canal right-of-way.
The transmission line would be constructed using approximately 51
wood poles and 25 glue laminate poles which would be placed in augered
holes in the spoil piles that border the canal from its construction.
The holes would be no more than 3 feet, 5 inches in diameter and
approximately 14 feet in depth, supporting poles approximately 61 feet
tall. A crane using the existing access and maintenance road along the
canal would be used to set the transmission structures. Although span
lengths will vary according to ground and alignment conditions, it is
estimated that the average span length across straight segments of the
transmission line would be approximately 300 feet. The existing access
and maintenance road would be realigned where necessary to accommodate
transmission line structures, but the upgraded access road
[[Page 56095]]
would remain on the spoil area and within the canal right-of-way.
The majority of the soil extracted from augered holes would be
backfilled and compacted to support the poles. The remainder would be
placed back onto the spoil piles. Wood poles would be free standing
without guy wires. Conductor, fiber optic cable, and optical ground
wire would be strung on these poles. Transmission line installation
would result in a permanent ground disturbance of approximately 3 to 13
square feet for each pole; the total permanent ground disturbance for
the entire transmission line would be 0.005 to 0.02 acre. These
estimates are based on a permanent ground disturbance diameter of 2 to
4 feet for each pole.
The fiber optic cable would provide a communications link between
the substation and the switchyard. Western would install a new load
break disconnect at the Tracy Substation to provide reliability and
flexibility for the new power service. Western would also install a new
fused disconnect on the new transmission line to provide protection for
the line and flexibility for other electrical service.
Alternatives Considered
Reclamation evaluated four alternatives in their Intertie EIS,
including No Action, with the transmission line being included as a
component in two of the evaluated action alternatives. Due to the
locations of the Tracy Substation, the DMC, and Reclamation's
switchyard, locating the transmission line along the DMC was an obvious
opportunity to consolidate project facilities and minimize possible
environmental impacts. This route kept the new transmission line within
the existing canal right-of-way and on a previously disturbed area, the
side-cast spoil from the original construction of the DMC. The route
also allowed use of the existing canal access and maintenance road to
be used for construction and future maintenance of the transmission
line. A cursory review indicated that any potential alternative
transmission line routes would impact other landowners, add to the
overall length of the line, likely impact previously undisturbed areas,
and clearly increase overall potential impacts to environmental
resources. Given the opportunity to use the existing canal right-of-way
and minimize environmental impacts, no other transmission alignment
options were developed for the Intertie project.
Environmentally Preferred Alternative
Reclamation identified their Alternative 4 (Virtual Intertie) as
the Environmentally Preferred Alternative. This alternative relied on
temporary facilities and would not require Western to construct the
transmission line. However, this alternative did not meet all of
Reclamation's objectives and needs; therefore, Reclamation made the
decision to implement their Preferred Alternative (Alternative 2) that
includes the transmission line component.
Public Involvement
A Notice of Intent announcing the preparation of an EIS was
published in the Federal Register on July 12, 2006. Reclamation issued
a news release on July 20, 2006, seeking public input on preparation of
an EIS for the Intertie project. Two scoping meetings were held to
solicit written comments about the scope of the environmental review. A
Sacramento meeting was held August 1, 2006, and a Stockton meeting was
held August 3, 2006. Comments were received and incorporated as
appropriate into the EIS. Additionally, a scoping report was prepared.
Reclamation filed a Notice of Availability for the Draft EIS in the
Federal Register on July 17, 2009. The Draft EIS was circulated for
public review for 45 days, during which time Reclamation held two
public hearings (August 4 and 5, 2009). No oral comments were received
during these hearings, but 10 written comments were received during the
public review period. All written comments were incorporated into the
Final EIS which was released on November 20, 2009, and circulated for
public review for 30 days.
Environmental Impacts
The scoping process and prior litigation revealed several areas of
controversy surrounding the Intertie. The Intertie is controversial as
it relates to diversions from the Delta and construction of facilities
near the Transmission Agency of Northern California's California-Oregon
Transmission Project. In the past several years, virtually any project
proposal to change diversions in the Delta has been met with great
resistance from a variety of agencies, organizations, and landowners
depending on the specific proposal. Reclamation, in coordination with
Western and the Water Authority, addressed each of the identified areas
of controversy in the Intertie EIS through changes in the project,
impact assessment, and inclusion of measures required for Endangered
Species Act (ESA) compliance. No controversy or substantive
environmental impacts were identified associated with Western's action
of constructing the transmission line and related activities, primarily
because of the selection of the route along the DMC, as described above
under the heading ``Alternatives Considered.''
Consultation
As part of the development of the Intertie, Reclamation coordinated
with several agencies, including U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS), California Department of Water Resources (DWR), the State
Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), and Western and the Water
Authority as cooperating agencies. Reclamation's ROD, which was signed
on December 28, 2009, is available online at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=1014. Reclamation coordinated
with USFWS for development of the Coordination Act Report and
consultation under Section 7 of the ESA and with DWR to obtain right-
of-way access on the California Aqueduct. The SHPO concurred with
Reclamation's finding that the Intertie would have no adverse effect on
historic properties pursuant to 36 CFR 800.5(a). Reclamation's
consultations and the Intertie EIS satisfy Western's NEPA compliance
documentation requirements for the interconnection and construction,
operation, and maintenance of the new transmission line and fiber optic
cable for delivery of power for the Intertie.
Mitigation
Reclamation and Western adopted all practicable means to avoid or
minimize adverse effects on the environment that would result from the
implementation of the Intertie. Where feasible and appropriate,
Reclamation and Western will implement mitigation measures as specified
in Reclamation's ROD. The ROD includes a summary of all the
environmental commitments and mitigation for the Intertie, specifies
the party responsible for implementation, and provides a time frame for
completion. Reclamation and Western will ensure that the environmental
commitments and mitigation measures are effectively implemented and
completed according to schedule during design, construction, and
operation as required.
Floodplain Statement of Findings
In accordance with 10 CFR 1022, the Intertie EIS considered the
potential impacts of the Intertie on floodplains and wetlands. Section
4.2 ``Vegetation and Wetlands'' of the EIS includes a map of all
wetland resources and drainage features in the study area. Flood hazard
areas identified on the
[[Page 56096]]
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps
are identified as a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). SFHA is defined
as the area that will be inundated by the flood event having a one
percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. The one
percent annual chance flood is also referred to as the base flood or
100-year flood. According to FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map 06077c07457,
the majority of the Intertie study area is located within Zone X with a
small portion located within Zone AE. There are no practical means of
avoiding floodplain areas. Implementation of environmental commitments
and mandatory compliance with applicable floodplain management
standards as set forth by FEMA will ensure the Intertie does not
substantially alter the normal drainage patterns, affect runoff rates,
or contribute to the impedance of flood flows.
The Intertie study area contains Seasonal, Emergent marsh, Alkali
wetlands, and Perennial, Intermittent, and Ephemeral drainages. Clean
Water Act Section 404 regulates the discharge of dredged and fill
materials into waters of the United States. Waters of the United States
refers to oceans, bays, rivers, streams, lakes, ponds and wetlands. EIS
Section 4.2 ``Vegetation and Wetlands'' includes an evaluation of the
Intertie impacts on wetlands and determined that none of the Intertie
alternatives would result in the discharge of dredged or fill material
into any wetland or water. Western will coordinate with Reclamation to
ensure compliance with all applicable floodplain and wetland protection
standards and requirements applicable to the construction, operation,
and maintenance of the transmission line.
Decision
Western's decision is to interconnect the Intertie to Western's
system and design, construct, own, operate, and maintain a new 69-kV
transmission line, fiber optic cable, disconnects, and related
equipment in support of Reclamation's decision to construct the
Intertie as summarized above and described in detail in the EIS. This
decision is based on the information contained in the DMC Intertie EIS
which Western adopted in March 2010 as DOE/EIS-0398. This ROD was
prepared in accordance with CEQ Regulations for Implementing NEPA (40
CFR Parts 1500-1508) and DOE NEPA Implementing Procedures (10 CFR Part
1021). Full implementation of this decision is contingent upon the
implementation of all identified environmental commitments and
mitigation measures applicable to Western's action and obtaining all
applicable permits and approvals.
Dated: September 2, 2010.
Timothy J. Meeks,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2010-23066 Filed 9-14-10; 8:45 am]
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