80_FR_79280 80 FR 79037 - Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and To Conduct Scoping Meetings; and Notice of Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement; Colusa-Sutter 500-Kilovolt Transmission Line Project, Colusa and Sutter Counties, California (DOE/EIS-0514)

80 FR 79037 - Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and To Conduct Scoping Meetings; and Notice of Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement; Colusa-Sutter 500-Kilovolt Transmission Line Project, Colusa and Sutter Counties, California (DOE/EIS-0514)

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Western Area Power Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 243 (December 18, 2015)

Page Range79037-79039
FR Document2015-31902

Western Area Power Administration (Western) and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) are jointly proposing the new 500- kilovolt (kV) Colusa-Sutter (CoSu) Transmission Line Project (Project) to be located within Colusa and Sutter Counties, California. The Project would interconnect the California-Oregon Transmission Project (COTP) transmission system, near either Arbuckle or Maxwell, California, to the Central Valley Project (CVP) transmission system near Yuba City, California. This notice announces Western's decision to jointly prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in conjunction with SMUD's preparation of a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) environmental impact report (EIR). The joint EIS/EIR will examine the potential environmental effects of the CoSu Project. The joint EIS/EIR will address Western's proposed action of constructing the CoSu Project as well as making any necessary modifications to Western facilities to accommodate the new line; and SMUD's proposed action of whether or not to fund the proposed Project. This notice starts a 60-day public scoping period that will assist in the preparation of a Draft EIS/EIR. During the public scoping period, Western and SMUD are seeking public comments including issues, concerns, and opportunities that should be considered in the analysis of the proposed Project.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 243 (Friday, December 18, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 243 (Friday, December 18, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79037-79039]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31902]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Western Area Power Administration


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and 
To Conduct Scoping Meetings; and Notice of Floodplain and Wetlands 
Involvement; Colusa-Sutter 500-Kilovolt Transmission Line Project, 
Colusa and Sutter Counties, California (DOE/EIS-0514)

AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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

SUMMARY: Western Area Power Administration (Western) and the Sacramento 
Municipal Utility District (SMUD) are jointly proposing the new 500-
kilovolt (kV) Colusa-Sutter (CoSu) Transmission Line Project (Project) 
to be located within Colusa and Sutter Counties, California. The 
Project would interconnect the California-Oregon Transmission Project 
(COTP) transmission system, near either Arbuckle or Maxwell, 
California, to the Central Valley Project (CVP) transmission system 
near Yuba City, California. This notice announces Western's decision to 
jointly prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) under the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in conjunction with SMUD's 
preparation of a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 
environmental impact report (EIR). The joint EIS/EIR will examine the 
potential environmental effects of the CoSu Project.
    The joint EIS/EIR will address Western's proposed action of 
constructing the CoSu Project as well as making any necessary 
modifications to Western facilities to accommodate the new line; and 
SMUD's proposed action of whether or not to fund the proposed Project.
    This notice starts a 60-day public scoping period that will assist 
in the preparation of a Draft EIS/EIR. During

[[Page 79038]]

the public scoping period, Western and SMUD are seeking public comments 
including issues, concerns, and opportunities that should be considered 
in the analysis of the proposed Project.

DATES: The scoping period begins with the publication of this notice 
and closes on February 16, 2016.
    To provide the public an opportunity to review, discuss, and 
comment on the proposed Project, Western and SMUD will hold four public 
meetings during January 12-14, 2016. See Public Participation in 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for public scoping meeting dates and 
locations.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the proposed scope of the Draft EIS/EIR 
for the CoSu Project may be mailed or emailed to: Mr. Andrew M. 
Monta[ntilde]o, Western Area Power Administration, Headquarters, P.O. 
Box 281213, Lakewood, CO 80228-8213, email: [email protected]. Comments 
on issues, potential impacts, or suggestions for additional 
alternatives may be provided at the public scoping meeting or submitted 
in writing to the address listed. To be considered in the Draft EIS/
EIR, comments must be received prior to the close of the scoping 
period.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have 
your name added to our mailing list, please contact Andrew M. 
Monta[ntilde]o, at (720) 962-7253 or at the address listed in the 
ADDRESSES section. For the most recent information and for 
announcements, please visit the Project Web site at: www.CoSuLine.com.
    For general information on DOE's NEPA review procedures or status 
of a NEPA review, contact Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom, Director of NEPA 
Policy and Compliance, GC-54, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585; telephone (202) 586-4600 
or (800) 472-2756; or email: [email protected].
    For general information on the SMUD CEQA review procedures or 
status of the CEQA review, please contact Ms. Emily Bacchini, 
Environmental Management Specialist, Sacramento Municipal Utility 
District, 6201 S. Street, Mailstop H201, Sacramento, CA 95852-1830; 
telephone (916) 732-6334; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Western is a Federal agency under the U.S. 
Department of Energy (DOE) that markets and transmits wholesale 
electrical power through an integrated 17,000-plus circuit mile, high-
voltage transmission system across 15 central and western states.
    Western, the lead Federal agency for the EIS, will coordinate with 
appropriate Federal, State and local agencies and potentially affected 
Native American tribes during the preparation of the EIS/EIR. Western 
will coordinate with SMUD in the preparation of the joint EIS/EIR. 
Agencies with legal jurisdiction or special expertise are invited to 
participate as cooperating agencies, as defined in 40 CFR 1501.6, in 
preparation of the EIS. Such agencies may make a request to Western to 
be a cooperating agency. Designated cooperating agencies have certain 
responsibilities to support the NEPA process, as specified in 40 CFR 
1501.6(b).
    SMUD is the primary distributor of electric power within an area of 
approximately 900 square miles in Sacramento County and a portion of 
Placer County, and serves over 624,000 electric customers. SMUD owns 
and operates an integrated electric system that includes transmission, 
distribution and generation facilities. SMUD is a member of the 
Transmission Agency of Northern California, which holds significant 
entitlements to obtain energy through the COTP. To use these rights, 
SMUD has long-term transmission service agreements with Western. SMUD's 
transmission system also contributes to and is affected by voltage 
stability, transmission system reliability, and security of the greater 
Sacramento-area transmission system. These imports allow higher demand 
levels to be reliably served at lower internal generation requirements, 
reducing carbon emissions from SMUD's natural gas generation 
facilities.

Project Description and Alternatives

    SMUD submitted a transmission service request to Western under 
Western's Open Access Transmission Tariff for service between the COTP 
and SMUD's transmission system. Western did not have available 
transmission capacity to meet the service request on its existing 
facilities in the area; so SMUD proposed the construction of the CoSu 
Project. Western would build the Project as allowed by law pursuant to 
the Acts of Congress approved June 17, 1902 (32 Stat. 388); August 26, 
1937 (50 Stat. 844, 850); August 4, 1939 (53 Stat. 1187); and August 4, 
1977 (91 Stat. 565); as supplemented and amended. The CoSu Project 
would provide SMUD access to existing renewable resources in the 
Pacific Northwest and other markets, provide regional voltage support, 
and assist SMUD in planning for anticipated load growth. In addition, 
the CoSu Project would improve the network transmission infrastructure 
and import capability into the Sacramento area and ensures the 
continued safe and reliable operation of the regional transmission 
system.
    The proposed corridors to be studied and evaluated are within 
Colusa and Sutter Counties, California. The proposed Project would 
consist of the following primary components:
    1. Northern Corridor Alternative: constructing a new transmission 
line (approximately 44 miles in length) adjacent to Western's existing 
230-kV Olinda-O'Banion and Keswick-O'Banion double circuit transmission 
lines. The Northern Corridor Alternative would interconnect the 
existing COTP transmission line system near the existing COTP's Maxwell 
Series Compensation Substation to Western's CVP transmission system 
near the existing Western's O'Banion Substation. The new transmission 
line would require the construction of an additional substation 
adjacent to the existing Maxwell Series Compensation Substation and an 
additional substation adjacent to the existing O'Banion Substation.
    2. Southern Corridor Alternative: constructing a new transmission 
line (approximately 27 miles in length) so that it interconnects along 
the existing COTP transmission line system approximately 8 miles 
northwest of the community of Arbuckle, California, and proceeds 
eastwardly towards the existing O'Banion Substation. The Southern 
Corridor Alternative would also require the construction of an 
additional substation adjacent to the existing COTP transmission line 
northwest of Arbuckle and an additional substation adjacent to the 
existing O'Banion Substation.
    3. Additionally, a Segment 1 Alternative also has been identified 
(approximately 9 miles in length) just west of the existing O'Banion 
Substation to provide an alternate north-to-south route for the 
Northern Corridor Alternative. Instead of following Western's existing 
230-kV Olinda-O'Banion and Keswick-O'Banion double circuit transmission 
lines to the O'Banion substation, this segment would extend south, at a 
location approximately 30 miles from the Maxwell Substation, and then 
continue due east to connect to the O'Banion substation. Under this 
segment alternative, the new line would be located further away from 
the Sutter National Wildlife Refuge.
    Western will consider a No Action Alternative in the EIS/EIR. Under 
the No Action Alternative, for the purpose of establishing a baseline 
for impact analysis and comparison in the EIS/EIR, Western would not 
construct the proposed Project and the environmental

[[Page 79039]]

impacts associated with construction and operation would not occur.

Agency Responsibilities

    Western has determined that an EIS is appropriate under DOE NEPA 
implementing procedures, 10 CFR part 1021.\1\ Western would be the lead 
Federal agency for preparing the EIS, as defined at 40 CFR 1501.5. The 
proposed Project would include construction of a new single-circuit 
500-kV transmission line and associated substations on mostly private 
land. Western will invite other Federal, State, local, and tribal 
agencies with jurisdiction by law or special expertise with respect to 
environmental issues to be cooperating agencies on the EIS, as defined 
at 40 CFR 1501.6. Such agencies also may make a request to Western to 
be a cooperating agency by contacting Mr. Monta[ntilde]o at the address 
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Because the proposed Project may 
involve action in floodplains or wetlands, this NOI also serves as a 
notice of proposed floodplain or wetland action, in accordance with DOE 
regulations for Compliance with Floodplain and Wetlands Environmental 
Review Requirements at 10 CFR part 1022. The EIS will include a 
floodplain/wetland assessment and, if required, a floodplain/wetland 
statement of findings will be issued with the Final EIS or the Western 
Record of Decision (ROD).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ On November 16, 2011, DOE's Acting General Counsel restated 
the delegation to Western Area Power Administration's Administrator 
of all the authorities of the General Counsel with respect to 
environmental impact statements. See ``Restatement of Delegations of 
Environmental Impact Statement Authorities,'' November 16, 2011.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Environmental Issues

    This notice is to inform agencies and the public of Western's and 
SMUD's intent to prepare a joint EIS/EIR and solicit comments and 
suggestions for consideration in the EIS/EIS. To help the public frame 
its comments, the following list contains potential environmental 
issues preliminarily identified for analysis in the EIS/EIR:
     Impacts on protected, threatened, endangered, or sensitive 
species of animals or plants;
     Impacts on migratory birds;
     Introduction of noxious weeds, invasive and non-native 
species;
     Impacts on recreation and transportation;
     Impacts on land use, wilderness, farmlands, and 
environmentally-sensitive areas;
     Impacts on cultural or historic resources and tribal 
values;
     Impacts on human health and safety;
     Impacts on air, soil, and water resources (including air 
quality and surface water impacts);
     Visual impacts; and
     Socioeconomic impacts and disproportionately high and 
adverse impacts to minority and low-income populations (i.e., 
environmental justice).
    This list is not intended to be all-inclusive or to imply any 
predetermination of impacts. Western invites interested parties to 
suggest specific issues within these general categories, or other 
issues not included above, to be considered in the EIS/EIR.

Public Participation

    The EIS/EIR process includes a public scoping period; public 
scoping meetings; publication and public review of the Draft EIS/EIR; 
publication of a Final EIS/EIR; and publication of a ROD.
    Western and SMUD will hold four public scoping meetings at the 
following times and locations:
    (1) Tuesday, January 12, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the 
Colusa Casino Community Room, 3770 California 45, Colusa, CA 95932;
    (2) Wednesday, January 13, 2016, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at 
the Colusa Casino Community Room, 3770 California 45, Colusa, CA 95932;
    (3) Wednesday, January 13, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the 
Sutter Youth Organization Center, 7740 Butte House Road, Sutter, CA 
95982;
    (4) Thursday, January 14, 2016, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the 
Sutter Youth Organization Center, 7740 Butte House Road, Sutter, CA 
95982.
    The meetings will be informal, and attendees will be able to speak 
directly with Western and SMUD representatives about the proposed 
Project. Attendees also may provide comments at these meetings. For the 
most recent information and for announcements, please visit the Project 
Web site at: www.CoSuLine.com.
    At the conclusion of the NEPA process, Western will prepare a ROD. 
Persons interested in receiving future notices, proposed Project 
information, copies of the EIS/EIR, and other information on the NEPA 
review process should contact Mr. Monta[ntilde]o at the address listed 
in the ADDRESSES section.
    The purpose of the scoping meetings is to provide information about 
the proposed Project, review Project maps, answer questions, and take 
oral and written comments from interested parties. All meeting 
locations will be handicapped-accessible. Anyone needing special 
accommodations should contact Mr. Monta[ntilde]o to make arrangements.
    The public will have the opportunity to provide written comments at 
the public scoping meetings. Written comments may also be sent to Mr. 
Monta[ntilde]o by email or U.S. Postal Service mail. To help define the 
scope of the EIS/EIR, comments should be received by Western no later 
than February 16, 2016.

    Dated: November 25, 2015.
Mark A. Gabriel,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2015-31902 Filed 12-17-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P



                                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 243 / Friday, December 18, 2015 / Notices                                                79037

                                                  functions and duties of the Chief                       collection requirements and minimize                  Department of Education obtains the
                                                  Financial Officer of the Department of                  the public’s reporting burden. It also                information needed to pay off the
                                                  Education.                                              helps the public understand the                       holders of the loans that the borrower
                                                     Date: December 11, 2015.                             Department’s information collection                   wants to consolidate. This revision
                                                  Thomas P. Skelly,                                       requirements and provide the requested                updates the forms to reflect regulatory
                                                                                                          data in the desired format. ED is                     changes, and revises language for greater
                                                  Delegated to perform the functions and duties
                                                  of the Chief Financial Officer.                         soliciting comments on the proposed                   clarity.
                                                                                                          information collection request (ICR) that
                                                  [FR Doc. 2015–31900 Filed 12–17–15; 8:45 am]                                                                  Kate Mullan,
                                                                                                          is described below. The Department of
                                                  BILLING CODE 4000–01–P                                                                                        Acting Director, Information Collection
                                                                                                          Education is especially interested in
                                                                                                                                                                Clearance Division, Office of the Chief Privacy
                                                                                                          public comment addressing the                         Officer, Office of Management.
                                                  DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION                                 following issues: (1) Is this collection
                                                                                                                                                                [FR Doc. 2015–31773 Filed 12–17–15; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                          necessary to the proper functions of the
                                                  [Docket No.: ED–2015–ICCD–0142]                                                                               BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
                                                                                                          Department; (2) will this information be
                                                                                                          processed and used in a timely manner;
                                                  Agency Information Collection                           (3) is the estimate of burden accurate;
                                                  Activities; Comment Request; Federal                    (4) how might the Department enhance                  DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
                                                  Direct Consolidation Loan Program                       the quality, utility, and clarity of the
                                                  Application Documents                                                                                         Western Area Power Administration
                                                                                                          information to be collected; and (5) how
                                                  AGENCY: Federal Student Aid (FSA),                      might the Department minimize the                     Notice of Intent To Prepare an
                                                  Department of Education (ED).                           burden of this collection on the                      Environmental Impact Statement and
                                                  ACTION: Notice.                                         respondents, including through the use                To Conduct Scoping Meetings; and
                                                                                                          of information technology. Please note                Notice of Floodplain and Wetlands
                                                  SUMMARY:    In accordance with the                      that written comments received in                     Involvement; Colusa-Sutter 500-
                                                  Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44                     response to this notice will be                       Kilovolt Transmission Line Project,
                                                  U.S.C. chapter 3501 et seq.), ED is                     considered public records.                            Colusa and Sutter Counties, California
                                                  proposing a revision of an existing                        Title of Collection: Federal Direct                (DOE/EIS–0514)
                                                  information collection.                                 Consolidation Loan Program
                                                  DATES: Interested persons are invited to                Application Documents.                                AGENCY: Western Area Power
                                                  submit comments on or before February                      OMB Control Number: 1845–0053.                     Administration, Department of Energy
                                                  16, 2016.                                                  Type of Review: A revision of an                   (DOE).
                                                  ADDRESSES: To access and review all the
                                                                                                          existing information collection.                      ACTION: Notice of Intent.
                                                                                                             Respondents/Affected Public:
                                                  documents related to the information                                                                          SUMMARY:   Western Area Power
                                                                                                          Individuals or Households, Private
                                                  collection listed in this notice, please                                                                      Administration (Western) and the
                                                                                                          Sector.
                                                  use http://www.regulations.gov by                          Total Estimated Number of Annual                   Sacramento Municipal Utility District
                                                  searching the Docket ID number ED–                      Responses: 3,454,476.                                 (SMUD) are jointly proposing the new
                                                  2015–ICCD–0142. Comments submitted                         Total Estimated Number of Annual                   500-kilovolt (kV) Colusa-Sutter (CoSu)
                                                  in response to this notice should be                    Burden Hours: 817,429.                                Transmission Line Project (Project) to be
                                                  submitted electronically through the                       Abstract: This is collection of                    located within Colusa and Sutter
                                                  Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://                   information includes the following                    Counties, California. The Project would
                                                  www.regulations.gov by selecting the                    documents: (1) Federal Direct                         interconnect the California-Oregon
                                                  Docket ID number or via postal mail,                    Consolidation Loan Application and                    Transmission Project (COTP)
                                                  commercial delivery, or hand delivery.                  Promissory Note (Application and                      transmission system, near either
                                                  Please note that comments submitted by                  Promissory Note); (2) Instructions for                Arbuckle or Maxwell, California, to the
                                                  fax or email and those submitted after                  Completing the Federal Direct                         Central Valley Project (CVP)
                                                  the comment period will not be                          Consolidation Loan Application and                    transmission system near Yuba City,
                                                  accepted. Written requests for                          Promissory Note (Instructions); (3)                   California. This notice announces
                                                  information or comments submitted by                    Additional Loan Listing Sheet; (4)                    Western’s decision to jointly prepare an
                                                  postal mail or delivery should be                       Request to Add Loans; and (5) Loan                    environmental impact statement (EIS)
                                                  addressed to the Director of the                        Verification Certificate (LVC). The                   under the National Environmental
                                                  Information Collection Clearance                        Application and Promissory Note serves                Policy Act (NEPA) in conjunction with
                                                  Division, U.S. Department of Education,                 as the means by which a borrower                      SMUD’s preparation of a California
                                                  400 Maryland Avenue SW., LBJ, Room                      applies for a Federal Direct                          Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
                                                  2E103, Washington, DC 20202–4537.                       Consolidation Loan and promises to                    environmental impact report (EIR). The
                                                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For                    repay the loan. The Instructions explain              joint EIS/EIR will examine the potential
                                                  specific questions related to collection                to the borrower how to complete the                   environmental effects of the CoSu
                                                  activities, please contact Jon Utz, 202–                Application and Promissory Note. The                  Project.
                                                  377–4040.                                               Additional Loan Listing Sheet provides                   The joint EIS/EIR will address
                                                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The                          additional space for a borrower to list               Western’s proposed action of
                                                  Department of Education (ED), in                        loans that he or she wishes to                        constructing the CoSu Project as well as
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                  accordance with the Paperwork                           consolidate, if there is insufficient space           making any necessary modifications to
                                                  Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C.                  on the Application and Promissory                     Western facilities to accommodate the
                                                  3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general                    Note. The Request to Add Loans serves                 new line; and SMUD’s proposed action
                                                  public and Federal agencies with an                     as the means by which a borrower may                  of whether or not to fund the proposed
                                                  opportunity to comment on proposed,                     add other loans to an existing Federal                Project.
                                                  revised, and continuing collections of                  Direct Consolidation Loan within a                       This notice starts a 60-day public
                                                  information. This helps the Department                  specified time period. The LVC serves                 scoping period that will assist in the
                                                  assess the impact of its information                    as the means by which the U.S.                        preparation of a Draft EIS/EIR. During


                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   19:20 Dec 17, 2015   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00010   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\18DEN1.SGM   18DEN1


                                                  79038                       Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 243 / Friday, December 18, 2015 / Notices

                                                  the public scoping period, Western and                  appropriate Federal, State and local                  reliable operation of the regional
                                                  SMUD are seeking public comments                        agencies and potentially affected Native              transmission system.
                                                  including issues, concerns, and                         American tribes during the preparation                   The proposed corridors to be studied
                                                  opportunities that should be considered                 of the EIS/EIR. Western will coordinate               and evaluated are within Colusa and
                                                  in the analysis of the proposed Project.                with SMUD in the preparation of the                   Sutter Counties, California. The
                                                  DATES: The scoping period begins with                   joint EIS/EIR. Agencies with legal                    proposed Project would consist of the
                                                  the publication of this notice and closes               jurisdiction or special expertise are                 following primary components:
                                                  on February 16, 2016.                                   invited to participate as cooperating                    1. Northern Corridor Alternative:
                                                     To provide the public an opportunity                 agencies, as defined in 40 CFR 1501.6,                constructing a new transmission line
                                                  to review, discuss, and comment on the                  in preparation of the EIS. Such agencies              (approximately 44 miles in length)
                                                  proposed Project, Western and SMUD                      may make a request to Western to be a                 adjacent to Western’s existing 230-kV
                                                  will hold four public meetings during                   cooperating agency. Designated                        Olinda-O’Banion and Keswick-O’Banion
                                                  January 12–14, 2016. See Public                         cooperating agencies have certain                     double circuit transmission lines. The
                                                  Participation in SUPPLEMENTARY                          responsibilities to support the NEPA                  Northern Corridor Alternative would
                                                  INFORMATION section for public scoping                  process, as specified in 40 CFR                       interconnect the existing COTP
                                                  meeting dates and locations.                            1501.6(b).                                            transmission line system near the
                                                                                                             SMUD is the primary distributor of                 existing COTP’s Maxwell Series
                                                  ADDRESSES: Written comments on the
                                                                                                          electric power within an area of                      Compensation Substation to Western’s
                                                  proposed scope of the Draft EIS/EIR for
                                                                                                          approximately 900 square miles in                     CVP transmission system near the
                                                  the CoSu Project may be mailed or
                                                                                                          Sacramento County and a portion of                    existing Western’s O’Banion Substation.
                                                  emailed to: Mr. Andrew M. Montaño,
                                                                                                          Placer County, and serves over 624,000                The new transmission line would
                                                  Western Area Power Administration,
                                                                                                          electric customers. SMUD owns and                     require the construction of an additional
                                                  Headquarters, P.O. Box 281213,
                                                                                                          operates an integrated electric system                substation adjacent to the existing
                                                  Lakewood, CO 80228–8213, email:
                                                                                                          that includes transmission, distribution              Maxwell Series Compensation
                                                  montano@wapa.gov. Comments on
                                                                                                          and generation facilities. SMUD is a                  Substation and an additional substation
                                                  issues, potential impacts, or suggestions                                                                     adjacent to the existing O’Banion
                                                                                                          member of the Transmission Agency of
                                                  for additional alternatives may be                                                                            Substation.
                                                                                                          Northern California, which holds
                                                  provided at the public scoping meeting                                                                           2. Southern Corridor Alternative:
                                                                                                          significant entitlements to obtain energy
                                                  or submitted in writing to the address                                                                        constructing a new transmission line
                                                                                                          through the COTP. To use these rights,
                                                  listed. To be considered in the Draft                                                                         (approximately 27 miles in length) so
                                                                                                          SMUD has long-term transmission
                                                  EIS/EIR, comments must be received                                                                            that it interconnects along the existing
                                                                                                          service agreements with Western.
                                                  prior to the close of the scoping period.                                                                     COTP transmission line system
                                                                                                          SMUD’s transmission system also
                                                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For                    contributes to and is affected by voltage             approximately 8 miles northwest of the
                                                  further information and/or to have your                 stability, transmission system reliability,           community of Arbuckle, California, and
                                                  name added to our mailing list, please                  and security of the greater Sacramento-               proceeds eastwardly towards the
                                                  contact Andrew M. Montaño, at (720)                    area transmission system. These imports               existing O’Banion Substation. The
                                                  962–7253 or at the address listed in the                allow higher demand levels to be                      Southern Corridor Alternative would
                                                  ADDRESSES section. For the most recent                  reliably served at lower internal                     also require the construction of an
                                                  information and for announcements,                      generation requirements, reducing                     additional substation adjacent to the
                                                  please visit the Project Web site at:                   carbon emissions from SMUD’s natural                  existing COTP transmission line
                                                  www.CoSuLine.com.                                       gas generation facilities.                            northwest of Arbuckle and an additional
                                                     For general information on DOE’s                                                                           substation adjacent to the existing
                                                  NEPA review procedures or status of a                   Project Description and Alternatives                  O’Banion Substation.
                                                  NEPA review, contact Ms. Carol M.                          SMUD submitted a transmission                         3. Additionally, a Segment 1
                                                  Borgstrom, Director of NEPA Policy and                  service request to Western under                      Alternative also has been identified
                                                  Compliance, GC–54, U.S. Department of                   Western’s Open Access Transmission                    (approximately 9 miles in length) just
                                                  Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue                        Tariff for service between the COTP and               west of the existing O’Banion Substation
                                                  SW., Washington, DC 20585; telephone                    SMUD’s transmission system. Western                   to provide an alternate north-to-south
                                                  (202) 586–4600 or (800) 472–2756; or                    did not have available transmission                   route for the Northern Corridor
                                                  email: askNEPA@hq.doe.gov.                              capacity to meet the service request on               Alternative. Instead of following
                                                     For general information on the SMUD                  its existing facilities in the area; so               Western’s existing 230-kV Olinda-
                                                  CEQA review procedures or status of the                 SMUD proposed the construction of the                 O’Banion and Keswick-O’Banion double
                                                  CEQA review, please contact Ms. Emily                   CoSu Project. Western would build the                 circuit transmission lines to the
                                                  Bacchini, Environmental Management                      Project as allowed by law pursuant to                 O’Banion substation, this segment
                                                  Specialist, Sacramento Municipal                        the Acts of Congress approved June 17,                would extend south, at a location
                                                  Utility District, 6201 S. Street, Mailstop              1902 (32 Stat. 388); August 26, 1937 (50              approximately 30 miles from the
                                                  H201, Sacramento, CA 95852–1830;                        Stat. 844, 850); August 4, 1939 (53 Stat.             Maxwell Substation, and then continue
                                                  telephone (916) 732–6334; email:                        1187); and August 4, 1977 (91 Stat. 565);             due east to connect to the O’Banion
                                                  emily.bacchini@smud.org.                                as supplemented and amended. The                      substation. Under this segment
                                                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Western is                   CoSu Project would provide SMUD                       alternative, the new line would be
                                                  a Federal agency under the U.S.                         access to existing renewable resources                located further away from the Sutter
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                                                  Department of Energy (DOE) that                         in the Pacific Northwest and other                    National Wildlife Refuge.
                                                  markets and transmits wholesale                         markets, provide regional voltage                        Western will consider a No Action
                                                  electrical power through an integrated                  support, and assist SMUD in planning                  Alternative in the EIS/EIR. Under the
                                                  17,000-plus circuit mile, high-voltage                  for anticipated load growth. In addition,             No Action Alternative, for the purpose
                                                  transmission system across 15 central                   the CoSu Project would improve the                    of establishing a baseline for impact
                                                  and western states.                                     network transmission infrastructure and               analysis and comparison in the EIS/EIR,
                                                     Western, the lead Federal agency for                 import capability into the Sacramento                 Western would not construct the
                                                  the EIS, will coordinate with                           area and ensures the continued safe and               proposed Project and the environmental


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                                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 243 / Friday, December 18, 2015 / Notices                                                79039

                                                  impacts associated with construction                      • Impacts on human health and                       needing special accommodations should
                                                  and operation would not occur.                          safety;                                               contact Mr. Montaño to make
                                                                                                            • Impacts on air, soil, and water                   arrangements.
                                                  Agency Responsibilities                                 resources (including air quality and                    The public will have the opportunity
                                                     Western has determined that an EIS is                surface water impacts);                               to provide written comments at the
                                                  appropriate under DOE NEPA                                • Visual impacts; and                               public scoping meetings. Written
                                                  implementing procedures, 10 CFR part                      • Socioeconomic impacts and                         comments may also be sent to Mr.
                                                  1021.1 Western would be the lead                        disproportionately high and adverse                   Montaño by email or U.S. Postal Service
                                                  Federal agency for preparing the EIS, as                impacts to minority and low-income                    mail. To help define the scope of the
                                                  defined at 40 CFR 1501.5. The proposed                  populations (i.e., environmental justice).            EIS/EIR, comments should be received
                                                  Project would include construction of a                   This list is not intended to be all-                by Western no later than February 16,
                                                  new single-circuit 500-kV transmission                  inclusive or to imply any                             2016.
                                                  line and associated substations on                      predetermination of impacts. Western                   Dated: November 25, 2015.
                                                  mostly private land. Western will invite                invites interested parties to suggest
                                                                                                                                                                Mark A. Gabriel,
                                                  other Federal, State, local, and tribal                 specific issues within these general
                                                                                                          categories, or other issues not included              Administrator.
                                                  agencies with jurisdiction by law or
                                                                                                          above, to be considered in the EIS/EIR.               [FR Doc. 2015–31902 Filed 12–17–15; 8:45 am]
                                                  special expertise with respect to
                                                  environmental issues to be cooperating                                                                        BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
                                                                                                          Public Participation
                                                  agencies on the EIS, as defined at 40
                                                  CFR 1501.6. Such agencies also may                         The EIS/EIR process includes a public
                                                  make a request to Western to be a                       scoping period; public scoping                        ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
                                                  cooperating agency by contacting Mr.                    meetings; publication and public review               AGENCY
                                                  Montaño at the address listed in the                   of the Draft EIS/EIR; publication of a
                                                                                                                                                                [EPA–R08–OW–2015–0346; FRL–9940–34–
                                                  ADDRESSES section. Because the                          Final EIS/EIR; and publication of a                   Region 8]
                                                  proposed Project may involve action in                  ROD.
                                                  floodplains or wetlands, this NOI also                     Western and SMUD will hold four                    Issuance of NPDES General Permits
                                                  serves as a notice of proposed                          public scoping meetings at the following              for Wastewater Lagoon Systems
                                                  floodplain or wetland action, in                        times and locations:                                  Located in Indian Country in Region 8
                                                  accordance with DOE regulations for                        (1) Tuesday, January 12, 2016, from
                                                                                                          4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Colusa                  AGENCY:  Environmental Protection
                                                  Compliance with Floodplain and                                                                                Agency (EPA).
                                                  Wetlands Environmental Review                           Casino Community Room, 3770
                                                                                                          California 45, Colusa, CA 95932;                      ACTION: Notice of issuance of NPDES
                                                  Requirements at 10 CFR part 1022. The
                                                  EIS will include a floodplain/wetland                      (2) Wednesday, January 13, 2016,                   general permits under the authority of
                                                  assessment and, if required, a                          from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the                   Section 402 of the Clean Water Act.
                                                  floodplain/wetland statement of                         Colusa Casino Community Room, 3770
                                                                                                          California 45, Colusa, CA 95932;                      SUMMARY:   The Environmental Protection
                                                  findings will be issued with the Final                                                                        Agency (EPA) Region 8 is hereby giving
                                                                                                             (3) Wednesday, January 13, 2016,
                                                  EIS or the Western Record of Decision                                                                         notice of its issuance of six National
                                                                                                          from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Sutter
                                                  (ROD).                                                                                                        Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
                                                                                                          Youth Organization Center, 7740 Butte
                                                  Environmental Issues                                    House Road, Sutter, CA 95982;                         (NPDES) lagoon general permits for
                                                                                                             (4) Thursday, January 14, 2016, from               wastewater lagoon systems located in
                                                     This notice is to inform agencies and                                                                      Indian country in Region 8 (CO, MT,
                                                  the public of Western’s and SMUD’s                      8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Sutter
                                                                                                          Youth Organization Center, 7740 Butte                 ND, SD, UT, & WY). These general
                                                  intent to prepare a joint EIS/EIR and                                                                         permits are similar to the existing
                                                  solicit comments and suggestions for                    House Road, Sutter, CA 95982.
                                                                                                             The meetings will be informal, and                 permits and will authorize the discharge
                                                  consideration in the EIS/EIS. To help                                                                         of wastewater from lagoons located in
                                                  the public frame its comments, the                      attendees will be able to speak directly
                                                                                                          with Western and SMUD                                 Region 8 Indian country in accordance
                                                  following list contains potential                                                                             with the terms and conditions described
                                                  environmental issues preliminarily                      representatives about the proposed
                                                                                                          Project. Attendees also may provide                   therein.
                                                  identified for analysis in the EIS/EIR:
                                                                                                          comments at these meetings. For the                   DATES: The general permits become
                                                     • Impacts on protected, threatened,
                                                                                                          most recent information and for                       effective on January 1, 2016 and will
                                                  endangered, or sensitive species of
                                                                                                          announcements, please visit the Project               expire five years from that date. For
                                                  animals or plants;
                                                     • Impacts on migratory birds;                        Web site at: www.CoSuLine.com.                        purposes of seeking review of this
                                                     • Introduction of noxious weeds,                        At the conclusion of the NEPA                      permit pursuant to 40 CFR 124.19(o)
                                                  invasive and non-native species;                        process, Western will prepare a ROD.                  and 33 U.S.C. 1369(b)(1), the 120 day
                                                     • Impacts on recreation and                          Persons interested in receiving future                time period for appeal to the federal
                                                  transportation;                                         notices, proposed Project information,                court will begin on January 1, 2016.
                                                     • Impacts on land use, wilderness,                   copies of the EIS/EIR, and other                      FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                  farmlands, and environmentally-                         information on the NEPA review                        Additional information concerning the
                                                  sensitive areas;                                        process should contact Mr. Montaño at                final permits may be obtained from
                                                     • Impacts on cultural or historic                    the address listed in the ADDRESSES                   VelRey Lozano, EPA Region 8,
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                                                  resources and tribal values;                            section.                                              Wastewater Unit (8P–W–WW), 1595
                                                                                                             The purpose of the scoping meetings                Wynkoop Street, Denver, CO 80202–
                                                    1 On November 16, 2011, DOE’s Acting General          is to provide information about the                   1129, telephone 303–312–6128 or email
                                                  Counsel restated the delegation to Western Area         proposed Project, review Project maps,                at lozano.velrey@epa.gov.
                                                  Power Administration’s Administrator of all the         answer questions, and take oral and                      The administrative record is available
                                                  authorities of the General Counsel with respect to
                                                  environmental impact statements. See ‘‘Restatement
                                                                                                          written comments from interested                      by appointment for review and copying,
                                                  of Delegations of Environmental Impact Statement        parties. All meeting locations will be                fee for copies may be required, at the
                                                  Authorities,’’ November 16, 2011.                       handicapped-accessible. Anyone                        EPA Region 8 offices during the hours


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Document Created: 2015-12-18 01:38:31
Document Modified: 2015-12-18 01:38:31
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of Intent.
DatesThe scoping period begins with the publication of this notice and closes on February 16, 2016.
ContactFor further information and/or to have your name added to our mailing list, please contact Andrew M.
FR Citation80 FR 79037 

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