[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
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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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