[Federal Register: April 28, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 81)]
[Notices]
[Page 22376-22377]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28ap03-52]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Western Area Power Administration
Cheyenne-Miracle Mile 115-Kilovolt Transmission Line Rebuild
Project, Laramie, Albany, and Carbon Counties, WY
AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of floodplain/wetland involvement.
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SUMMARY: The Western Area Power Administration (Western), a power
marketing agency of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is the lead
Federal agency for a proposal to rebuild 140 miles of the Cheyenne-
Miracle Mile 115-kilovolt (kV) transmission line located in Laramie,
Albany, and Carbon counties, Wyoming. Western plans to rebuild the
segment of line between Cheyenne and Seminoe, Wyoming. A number of
floodplains associated with small drainages are crossed by the existing
transmission line. Some of
[[Page 22377]]
these floodplains have transmission line structures located within a
100-year floodplain. Western will incorporate an assessment of
floodplains/wetlands in the Environmental Assessment being prepared for
the project, and would perform the proposed actions in a manner so as
to avoid or minimize potential harm to or within the affected
floodplains/wetlands.
DATES: Comments on the proposed floodplain/wetland action are due to
the address below no later than May 13, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Mr. Jim Hartman,
Environmental Manager, Rocky Mountain Region, Western Area Power
Administration, P.O. Box 3700, Loveland, CO 80539-3003, fax (970) 461-
7213, e-mail hartman@wapa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Rodney Jones, Environmental
Specialist, Rocky Mountain Region, Western Area Power Administration,
P.O. Box 3700, Loveland, CO 80539-3003, telephone (970) 461-7371, e-
mail rjones@wapa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposal to rebuild the Cheyenne-Miracle
Mile 115-kV transmission line between Cheyenne and Seminoe, Wyoming,
would involve construction activities within floodplains and wetlands.
Most of this line (139.69 miles) was constructed as part of the
Seminoe-Cheyenne transmission line in 1939; the remaining 6.60 miles
were reconstructed by Western and placed into service in February 1992.
The Seminoe-Cheyenne segment of the line was constructed with wood pole
H-frame structures.
Due to age and weather exposure of this facility, many of the
transmission line structures and related hardware have deteriorated.
The line is presently 64 years old. Because of its age the potential
for structural failures and power outages has increased.
The existing transmission line right-of-way (ROW) width is 75 feet.
Depending on which design alternative is selected, the maximum
transmission line ROW width acquired would be 125 feet. The
transmission line crosses primarily private land, although there are
some public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the
State of Wyoming. Based on a review of Federal Emergency Management
Agency floodplain hazard maps, Western has determined that a number of
100-year floodplains associated with small drainages are crossed by the
existing transmission line. Some structures fall within the boundaries
of these floodplains, and would be replaced under the proposed action.
As the lead Federal agency, Western will prepare an Environmental
Assessment for the proposed project, in compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and regulations promulgated by the
Council on Environmental Quality for implementing the procedural
provisions of NEPA (40 CFR part 1500-1508) and the DOE NEPA
Implementing Procedures (10 CFR part 1021). The Environmental
Assessment will examine the proposed construction activities in
floodplains/wetlands, in accordance with DOE's Floodplain/Wetland
Review Requirements (10 CFR part 1022).
It is Western's goal to rebuild the Cheyenne-Miracle Mile
transmission line in a manner that minimizes impacts to the natural,
human, and cultural environments while improving our ability to
maintain and operate the transmission line in a safe and
environmentally sound manner. To the extent possible, the proposed
rebuild would use the existing transmission line corridor and
established trails and roads for access.
Maps and further information are available from Western from the
contact above.
Dated: April 11, 2003.
Michael S. Hacskaylo,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 03-10375 Filed 4-25-03; 8:45 am]
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