​Western Area Power Administration proposes to rebuild approximately 32 miles of double wood-pole structure 115-kilovolt transmission line that exists between Estes Park and Flatiron Reservoir in Larimer County, Colo. The proposal would remove 16 miles of transmission line, and modernize 16 miles to steel-pole double-circuit 115-kV transmission line. The reduction and modernizing of transmission lines will occur on Federal, state and private lands. The public parcels are administered by the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest, which is a cooperating agency in the project.

The proposed project would:​

• Rebuild aging and deteriorating transmission lines
• Reduce the number of linear miles of transmission corridors and the associated environmental footprint
• Ensure that the transmission lines comply with applicable codes and requirements
• Reduce potential for disruption of customer service due to wildfire hazards
• Improve access for maintenance and emergencies

REcord of decision published

WAPA published its record of decision for the Estes-Flatiron Transmission Lines Rebuild Project in the Federal Register March 21, 2019. WAPA has decided to use the agency preferred alternative route to build a new double-circuit 115-kilovolt transmission line and remove two existing transmission lines between Estes Substation and Flatiron Substation, west of Loveland, Colorado. The agency preferred alternative was announced in December 2016 and described in detail in the Final Environmental Impact Statement published April 12, 2018. 

Next steps: WAPA will finalize design and complete construction specifications.  ​

Project updates

• Record of decision available for Estes-Flatiron Transmission Lines Rebuild Project, news release April 11, 2019
• Final environmental review available for Estes-Flatiron Transmission Project​, news release April 13, 2018
• Newsletter 4 (pdf), December 2016
• WAPA selects agency preferred alternative for Estes-Flatiron Rebuild, news release Dec. 5, 2016
• Estes-Flatiron project engages local citizens in environmental review, news feature Oct. 2, 2014
• Sept. 23, 24: Western holding informal sessions for Estes-Flatiron draft EIS, media advisory Sept. 15, 2014
• Newsletter 3 (pdf), August 2013
• Scoping reports available, press release Dec. 10, 2012
• Citizens share ideas at workshops, blog post Oct. 10, 2012
• Newsletter 2 (pdf), Sept. 13, 2012
• Estes-Flatiron project scoping extended to Oct. 19, press release Sept. 13, 2012
• Newsletter 1 (pdf), July 2012
• Western extends scoping period to Aug. 31, press release June 27, 2012
• Notice of Intent to Conduct an EIS, April 17, 2012
• Environmental Impact Statement process announced, press release March 29, 2012

Project documents

Records of decision

• ​U.S. Forest Service's record of decision​, ​Jan. 30, 2020
• ​Record of decision Federal Register Notice, March 21, 2019

Final EIS and appendices

• ​Download the Estes-to-Flatiron Transmission Lines Rebuild Project Final EIS (47.7 MB pdf), April 12, 2018

Or download smaller sections of the Final EIS

• Executive summary and acronyms​ (3.8 MB pdf)
• Chapters 1-2: Introduction and alternatives​ (47.8 MB pdf)
• Chapters 3-5: Affected environment, environmental impacts, and cumulative impacts (34.4 MB)
• Chapters 6-8: EIS preparers and distribution, references, and index​ (218 KB)
• Chapter 9: Response to Draft EIS comments​ (801 KB)
• Appendices A-D: Notices, proposed vegetation management, observation points and visualizations, EMF information (7.7 MB pdf)

Selected route - Agency Preferred Alternative

• Map of Agency Preferred Alternative​ (image), December 2016

Draft EIS and appendices

• Download the Estes-to-Flatiron Transmission Lines Rebuild Project Draft EIS (44 MB pdf), Sept. 17, 2014
• Or download smaller sections of the Draft EIS:
• Executive summary and acronyms (4 MB pdf)
• Chapters 1-2: Introduction and Alternatives (5 MB pdf)
• Chapters 3-5: Affected environment, environmental impacts, and cumulative impacts (21 MB pdf) 
• Chapters 6-8: EIS preparers and distribution, references, and index (184 KB pdf) 
• Appendices A-D: Notices, proposed vegetation management, observation points and visualizations, EMF information (13 MB pdf)

Draft EIS drop-in learning session materials

• Fact Sheet about the Draft EIS (84kb pdf), Sept. 23, 2014
• Draft EIS comment form (91kb pdf), Sept. 23, 2014
• Drop-in session presentation (1.7mb pdf), Sept. 23, 2014
• Drop-in session display boards (1.8mb pdf), Sept. 23, 2014

Scoping materials and reports

• Fact sheet (pdf), December 2012
• EA scoping report (5.3 MB pdf), Dec. 10, 2012
• EIS scoping report (2 MB pdf), Dec. 10, 2012
• Forest Service Designated Utility Corridor, April 23, 2012
• Project map
• Tech Spotlight: Paper about Underground transmission lines from Wisconsin Public Service Commission (pdf), May 2011

Contact

Mark Wieringa
Natural Resources | Western Area Power Administration
12155 W Alameda Pkwy
PO Box 281213
Lakewood, CO 80228
Email: RMR_EstesFlatironEIS@wapa.gov