[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 61 (Thursday, March 29, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17173-17174]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-7745]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Western Area Power Administration
Notice of Floodplain/Wetlands Involvement for the Charlie Creek-
Williston Transmission Line Fiber Optic Overhead Ground Wire
Installation Project
AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of floodplain/wetlands involvement.
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SUMMARY: The Western Area Power Administration (Western) intends to add
new fiber optic communication capabilities to the existing Charlie
Creek-Williston 115-kilovolt (kV) Transmission Line in west central
North Dakota. This will require rebuilding many of the existing wood
pole H-frame structures to carry the additional weight. The line
crosses two major drainages in the area--the Little Missouri River on
lands managed by the National Park Service, and the Missouri River
south of Williston, North Dakota.
Following the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Floodplain/Wetland
Review Requirements (10 CFR part 1022), Western will prepare a
floodplain assessment and will perform the proposed actions in ways
that avoid or minimize potential harm to or within the affected
floodplain. The floodplain assessment will be included in an
Environmental Assessment being prepared by Western, under the
provisions of the DOE National Environmental Policy Act Implementing
Procedures (10 CFR part 1021).
DATES: Comments on the proposed floodplain action are due to the
address below by May 1, 2001.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Mr. Theodore Anderson,
Environmental Specialist, Upper Great Plains Region, Western Area Power
Administration, P.O. Box 35800, Billings, Montana 59107-5800, e-mail
[email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information on DOE
Floodplain/Wetlands Environmental Review
[[Page 17174]]
Requirements, contact: Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, NEPA Policy
and Compliance, EH-42, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585, telephone (202) 586-4600 or (800)
472-2756.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Charlie Creek-Williston 115-kilovolt
(kV) Transmission Line is approximately 72 miles long, approximately 50
years old, and has an existing 100-foot right-of-way. Fiber optic
communications will be added by installing a new overhead ground wire
with a fiber optic cable as a replacement for one of the existing
overhead ground wires. The other existing overhead ground wire will be
replaced with a new, conventional ground wire at the same time. To
carry the added weight of the new cable, a number of transmission
structure upgrades are required. A total of 514 wood poles on the
existing H-frame structures will be replaced with poles that are 5 feet
taller. This will prevent the heavier cable from sagging into the
conductor wire. As part of the transmission line rebuild, all
insulators on the line will be replaced.
Most of the line is on private land (grazing and cultivated lands),
but it also crosses lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service (Little
Missouri National Grasslands) and the National Park Service (Theodore
Roosevelt National Park North Unit). The line crosses McKenzie and
Williams counties, and will pass near Watford City, North Dakota.
The action will entail removing existing poles and reinstalling
new, taller poles. Once the poles are replaced, the existing overhead
ground wire will be removed and the new fiber and conventional cables
installed. Along the route, splice points will also be established
where the lengths of the fiber optic cable will be fused together. The
splice points will be used for pulling the cable through the
structures. Most ground disturbances will occur where the structures
are replaced, and at the splicing and pulling sites. Access roads for
the line exist and may need to be improved. There may be a need for
additional access trails or roads to some structure locations. Western
employees will perform this work over 3 years.
Dated: March 20, 2001
Michael S. Hacskaylo,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 01-7745 Filed 3-28-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P