From: Subject: FR Doc E7-17168 Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2007 22:30:01 -0700 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/E7-17168.htm X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.3138 FR Doc E7-17168 
[Federal Register: September 7, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 173)]
[Notices]              =20
[Page 51404-51406]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
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Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules =

or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings =

and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,=20
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and =
agency=20
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents=20
appearing in this section.

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[[Page 51404]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

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Angeles National Forest, CA, Tehachapi Renewable Transmission=20
Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a joint environmental impact=20
statement/report.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service, together with the California Public=20
Utilities Commission (CPUC), will prepare a joint Environmental Impact=20
Statement (EIS) and Environmental Impact Report (EIR) in response to=20
applications received from Southern California Edison for construction=20
of a series of transmission system improvements to deliver electricity=20
from new wind energy projects in eastern Kern County. The proposed=20
project would be located in Kern, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino=20
counties. The purpose of the project is to provide the electrical=20
facilities necessary to integrate levels of new wind generation in the=20
Tehachapi Wind Resource Area, and accommodate solar and geothermal=20
projects currently being planned or expected in the future. It would=20
also improve the reliability of the transmission grid in the Antelope=20
Valley and address existing constraints in the transmission system=20
south of the Lugo Substation in Hesperia, California. The Forest=20
Service is the lead Federal agency for the preparation of this EIS/EIR=20
in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and all=20
other applicable federal laws, executive orders, regulations, and=20
direction. The CPUC is the lead State of California agency for the=20
preparation of the EIS/EIR in compliance with the California=20
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), California Public Resource Code=20
Division 13, and all other applicable state laws and regulations. Both=20
agencies have determined an EIS/EIR is needed to effectively analyze=20
the proposal and evaluate impacts.
    The proposed project involves several types of transmission=20
upgrades, including: (1) Constructing new 500-kV transmission lines;=20
(2) constructing o new single-circuit 220-kV transmission lines; (3)=20
rebuilding existing 220-kV lines to 500-V standards; (4) rebuilding=20
existing single-circuit transmission lines to double-circuit=20
transmission lines; (5) relocating several existing 66-kV=20
subtransmission lines; (6) constructing a new 500-kV substation; and=20
(7) upgrading five existing substations. Approximately 46 miles of the=20
project would be located in a 200- to 400-foot right-of-way on National=20
Forest System land (managed by the Angeles National Forest) and=20
approximately 3 miles would require expanded right-of-way within the=20
Angeles National Forest. The USDA Forest Service and the CPUC invite=20
written comments on the scope of this proposed project. In addition,=20
the agencies give notice of this analysis so that interested and=20
affected individuals are aware of how they may participate and=20
contribute to the final decision.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received=20
by October 1, 2007. Nine public scoping meetings are planned to provide=20
information about the proposed project and to allow people to comment=20
on the proposed project. The draft EIS/EIR is expected to be published=20
in July 2008 and the final EIS/EIR is expected in December 2008.

ADDRESSES: To request a copy of the draft or final EIS/EIR and/or to=20
send written comments, please write to the Angeles National Forest and/
or California Public Utilities Commission, c/o Aspen Environmental=20
Group, 30423 Canwood Street, Suite 215, Agoura Hills, CA 91301.
    E-mail communications are also welcome; however, please include=20
your name and a return address in the e-mail message. E-mail messages=20
should be sent to TRTP@aspeneg.com. Information about =
this application=20
and the environmental review process will be posted on the Internet at:=20
Ftp://ftp.cpuc.ca.gov/gopher-data/environ/tehachapi--renewables/
TRTP.htm. This site will be used to post all public documents during=20
the environmental review process and to announce upcoming public=20
meetings. See SUPPLMENTARY INFORMATION for dates and addresses of=20
future public meetings.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information related to=20
the project on National Forest System land, contact George Farra,=20
Project Manager, Forest Service, Angeles National Forest, 701 N. Santa=20
Anita Ave., Arcadia, CA 91006, phone: (626) 574-5301. For additional=20
information related to the project on non-National Forest System land,=20
contact John Boccio, California Public Utilities Commission, 505 Van=20
Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102; phone: (415) 703-2641. Project=20
information can also be requested by leaving a voice message or sending=20
a fax to the Project Information Hotline at (888) 331-9897.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Proposed Action

    Southern California Edison would construct, use, and maintain a=20
series of new and upgraded high-voltage electric transmission lines and=20
substations to deliver electricity generated from new wind energy=20
projects in eastern Kern County, California. The proposed transmission=20
system upgrades are seperated into eight distinct segments. The=20
proposed projects's major components include the following, by segment:
     Segment 4: Construct a new ~16-mile single-circuit 500-kV=20
transmission line from the new Whirlwind Substation to the existing=20
Antelope Substation. The existing right-of-way would be expanded by 200=20
feet and construct two new parallel ~4-mile single-circuit 220-kV=20
transmission lines from the proposed Cottonwind Substation (not part of=20
this project) to the new Whirlwind Substation. The transmission line=20
would be initially energized at 220 kV with the intent of energizing=20
the system to 500 kV in the future as more wind projects are developed.
     Segment 5: Replace two single-circuit 220-kV transmission=20
lines (Antelope-Vincent and Antelope-Mesa) with a new ~18-mile single-
circuit 500-kV transmission line in existing ROW between Antelope=20
Substation and Vincent Substation.
     Segment 6: Replace 27 miles of the Antelope-Mesa 220-kV=20
transmission line and 5 miles of the Rio Hondo-Vincent No. 2 with a=20
single-circuit 500-kV transmission line between Vincent

[[Page 51405]]

Substation and the southern Angeles National Forest boundary.
     Segment 7: Replace ~16 miles of the Antelope-Mesa 220-kV=20
transmission line with a single-circuit 500-kV transmission line from=20
the southern boundary of the Angeles National Forest to the Mesa=20
Substation.
     Segment 8: Replace ~33 miles of 220-kV transmission line=20
from the San Gabriel Junction (2 miles east of Mesa Substation) to the=20
existing Mira Loma Substation. Relocate 66-kV subtransmission lines in=20
the Mesa and Chino Areas within existing or public right-of-way.=20
Additionally, ~45 existing double-circuit 66-kV subtransmission lines=20
in the Mesa and Chino Areas would be removed/relocated within existing=20
or public right-of-way or undergrounded.
     Segment 9: Construct new 500/220-kV Whirlwind Substation=20
adjacent to Path 26 and upgrade the Antelope Substation to include new=20
500-kV facilities. Expand and upgrade 500-kV facilities at Vincent=20
Substation. Install reactive compensation equipment at Vincent=20
Substation and Antelope Substation. Upgrade the Gould Substation, Mesa=20
Substation, and Mira Loma Substation within the existing fence line.
     Segment 10: Construct a new ~17-mile single-circuit 500-kV=20
transmission line in a new 330-foot-wide corridor from the approved=20
WindHub Substation to the new Whirlwind Substation.
     Segment 11: Replace ~19 miles of single-circuit 220-kV=20
transmission line with a single-circuit 500-kV transmission line from=20
Vincent Substation to Gould Substation. Install ~18 miles of 220-kV=20
circuit on the vacant side of existing double-circuit 220-kV lattice=20
steel towers (now carrying the Eagle Rock-Mesa 220-kV transmission=20
line) between Gould Substation and Mesa Substation.
    Construction activities associated with the proposed action would=20
include upgrading 5 existing substations, construction of 1 new=20
substation, installation of approximately 851 new towers, repairing=20
existing access and spur roads along with the temporary use and=20
construction of spur roads, and the temporary use of approximately 141=20
new pulling locations and 103 new splicing locations. Only segments 6=20
and 11 are located on National Forest System lands.

Purpose and Need for Action

    The purpose for this action is to provide the electrical facilities=20
necessary to integrate levels of new wind generation in excess of 700=20
MW and up to approximately 4,500 MW in the Tehachapi Wind Resource=20
Area, and accommodate solar and geothermal projects currently being=20
planned or expected in the future. The project will also address the=20
reliability needs of the CAISO-controlled grid due to projected load=20
growth in the Antelope Valley and the South of Lugo transmission=20
constraints.

Background

    Southern California Edison has proposed the construction of a 220/
500-kV transmission system that would include a series of new and=20
upgraded high-voltage electric transmission lines and substations to=20
deliver electricity from new wind energy projects in eastern Kern=20
County, California. The project would provide the electrical facilities=20
necessary to integrate levels of new wind generation in excess of 700=20
MW and up to approximately 4,500 MW in the Tehachapi Wind Resource=20
Area.
    Under Sections 210 and 212 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824=20
(i) and (k)) and Sections 3.2 and 5.7 of the California Independent=20
System Operator's Tariff, Southern California Edison is obligated to=20
interconnect and integrate this wind energy project into its system. In=20
addition, the 2001 National Energy Policy goals are to increase=20
domestic energy supplies, modernize and improve our nation's energy=20
infrastructure, and improve the reliability of the delivery of energy=20
from its sources to points of use.
    Executive Order 13212 encourages increased production and=20
transmission of energy in a safe and environmentally sound manner.=20
According to Executive Order 13212, for energy-related projects,=20
agencies shall expedite their review of permits or take other actions=20
as necessary to accelerate the completion of such projects. The=20
agencies shall take such actions to the extent permitted by law and=20
regulations, and where appropriate. Based on the 2005 Angeles National=20
Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, the proposed routes are=20
within designated utility corridors.

Possible Alternatives

    Presently, the USDA Forest Service and the CPUC have identified=20
preliminary action alternatives for consideration in the environmental=20
analysis. The alternatives currently under consideration (besides the=20
proposed action) are:
     The No-Action Alternative, under which the proposed=20
transmission line would not be constructed and no expansion activities=20
would occur.
     The Non-National Forest System Land Alternative that would=20
avoid proposed activities on National Forest System lands. This=20
alternative would be developed during the environmental review process.
     Alternate routing between Windhub and Whirlwind=20
Substations (Segment 10).

    Additional alternatives will be developed, as needed, during the=20
environmental review process. The final alternatives analyzed in detail=20
will depend on the issues raised during public scoping and further=20
investigation of the feasibility of alternatives.

Lead and Cooperating Agencies

    The USDA Forest Service and the CPUC will be joint lead agencies in=20
accordance with 40 CFR 1501.5(b), and are responsible for the=20
preparation of the EIS/EIR. The Forest Service will serve as the lead=20
agency under NEPA. The CPUC will serve as the lead agency under CEQA in=20
accordance with California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3,=20
Article 4, Sec.  15050.

Responsible Official

    The Forest Service responsible official for the preparation of the=20
EIS/EIR is Jody Noiron, Forest Supervisor, Angeles National Forest, 701=20
N. Santa Anita Avenue, Arcadia, CA 91006.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The Forest Supervisor for the Angeles National Forest will decide=20
whether to authorize a 50-year term Special Use Permit for=20
construction, use, and maintenance of 500-kV transmission lines and a=20
new 220-kV circuit. The authorization will include ancillary=20
improvements on National Forest System lands needed to maintain this=20
system (e.g., towers, roads, communication equipment, helicopter=20
landing sites). The Forest Supervisor will only make a decision=20
regarding impacts on National Forest System lands.

Scoping Process

    Public participation will be especially important at several stages=20
during the analysis. The lead agencies will be seeking information,=20
comments, and assistance from Federal, State, local agencies, and other=20
individuals and organizations that may be interested in or affected by=20
the proposed project. This input will be used in preparation of the=20
draft EIS/EIR.
    Nine scoping meetings are proposed to provide information about the=20
proposed project to the public and to allow people to comment on the=20
proposed project. The scoping meetings will be held on the following=20
dates, times, and locations:

[[Page 51406]]

    1. September 6, 2007, 6:30 p.m.; La Serna High School, Cafeteria,=20
15301 Youngwood Drive, Whittier, CA 90605; 562-698-8121.
    2. September 10, 2007, 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Palmdale Cultural=20
Center, 38350 Sierra Highway, Palmdale, CA 93550; 661-267-5656.
    3. September 11, 6:30 p.m.; Kern County Library--Wanda Kirk Branch,=20
3611 Rosamond Blvd., Rosamond, CA 93561; 661-256-3236.
    4. September 12, 6:30 p.m.; Duarte Community Center, 1600=20
Huntington Drive, Duarte, CA 91010; 626-303-8429.
    5. September 13, 2007, 6:30 p.m.; Garvey Community Center, 9108=20
Garvey Avenue, Rosemead, CA 91770; 323-720-5213.
    6. September 19, 2007, 6:30 p.m.; Altadena Community Center, 730 E.=20
Altadena Drive, Altadena, CA 91001; (626) 398-6174.
    7. September 20, 2007, 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Chino Hills Council=20
Chambers, 2001 Grand Avenue, Chino Hills, CA 91709; 909-930-8495.

Preliminary Issues

    A number of potential impacts were identified in the Proponent's=20
Environmental Assessment Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project=20
issued by Southern California Edison on June 29, 2007. The following=20
preliminary issues were identified in this report related to the=20
proposed project's potential effects on the environment: Visual=20
resources; agriculture; air quality; biological, cultural, and=20
geological resources; hazards and hazardous materials; hydrology and=20
water quality; land use and planning; mineral resources; noise;=20
population and housing; public services and utilities; recreation;=20
traffic and transportation; and paleontological resources. Other issues=20
identified are impacts to future forest management projects (e.g., fuel=20
hazard reduction projects and fire fighting strategies).

Permits or Licenses Required

    A 50-year term special use permit for the construction,=20
maintenance, and use of the transmission line would be authorized to=20
Southern California Edison by the Forest Supervisor for the Angeles=20
National Forest for Segments 6 and 11, and a Certificate of Public=20
Convenience and Necessity would be issued by the California Public=20
Utilities Commission as part of this decision. Additional permits that=20
may be required of Southern California Edison to construct the proposed=20
project could include: A Permit to Operate issued by the South Coast=20
Air Quality Management District, a National Pollutant Discharge=20
Elimination System General Construction Permit issued by California's=20
Regional Water Quality Control Board, a Section 404 Permit (per Section=20
404 of the Clean Water Act) issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,=20
and a Streambed Alteration Agreement ( per Section 1601 of the=20
California Fish and Game Code) issued by the California Department of=20
Fish and Game.

Comment Requested

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process that guides the=20
development of the EIS/EIR. The Forest Service is seeking public and=20
agency comment on the proposed project to identify major issues to be=20
analyzed in depth and assistance in identifying potential alternatives=20
to be evaluated. Comments received on this notice, including the names=20
and addresses of those who comment, will be considered as part of the=20
public record on this proposed project, and will be available for=20
public inspection. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and=20
considered; however, those who submit anonymous comments will not have=20
standing to appeal the subsequent decision under 36 CFR Part 215.=20
Additionally, pursuant to 7 CFR 1.27(d), any person may request the=20
agency to withhold a submission from the public record by showing how=20
the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) permits such confidentiality.=20
Persons requesting such confidentiality should be aware that, under the=20
FOIA, confidentiality may be granted in only very limited=20
circumstances, such as to protect trade secrets. The Forest Service=20
will inform the requester of the agency's decision regarding the=20
request for confidentiality. Where the request is denied, the agency=20
will return the submission and notify the requester that the comments=20
may be resubmitted, without names and addresses, within a specified=20
number of days.
    Early Notice of Importance of Public Participation in Subsequent=20
Environmental Review: A draft EIS/EIR will be prepared for comment. The=20
comment period on the draft EIS/EIR will be 45 days from the date the=20
Environmental Protection Agency publishes the notice of availability in=20
the Federal Register.
    The Forest Service believes, at this early stage, that it is=20
important to give reviewers notice of several court rulings related to=20
public participation in the environmental review process. First,=20
reviewers of draft EISs must structure their participation in the=20
environmental review of the proposal so that it is meaningful and=20
alerts an agency to the reviewer's position and contentions. Vermont=20
Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 553 (1978). Also,=20
environmental objections that could be raised at the draft=20
environmental EIS stage but that are not raised until after completion=20
of the final EIS may be waived or dismissed by the courts. City of=20
Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 1016, 1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin=20
Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980).=20
Because of these court rulings, it is very important that those=20
interested in this proposed action participate by the close of the 45-
day comment period so that substantive comments and objections are made=20
available to the Forest Service at a time when it is meaningful to=20
consider and respond to comments in the final EIS/EIR.
    To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues=20
and concerns on the proposed project, comments on the draft EIS/EIR=20
should be as specific as possible. It is also helpful if comments refer=20
to specific pages or chapters of the draft statement. Comments may also=20
address the adequacy of the draft EIS/EIR or the merits of the=20
alternatives formulated and discussed in the statement. Reviewers may=20
wish to refer to the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for=20
implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA at 40 CFR 1503.3 in=20
addressing these points.

(Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22; Forest Service Handbook=20
1909.15, Section 21)

    Dated: August 23, 2007.
Jody Noiron,
Forest Supervisor.
 [FR Doc. E7-17168 Filed 9-6-07; 8:45 am]

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