80 FR 8848 - Basin Electric Power Cooperative: Notice of Extension of Public Comment Period for an Environmental Assessment

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 33 (February 19, 2015)

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is extending the public comment period for an Environmental Assessment (EA) related to a proposed project by Basin Electric Power Cooperative (Basin Electric). The Western Area Power Administration (Western) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) are cooperating agencies in preparation of the EA. The proposed Big Bend to Witten Transmission Line Project (proposed action) consists of an approximately 70-mile long 230-kV single-circuit transmission line, a new Western switchyard called Lower Brule Switchyard, an addition to the existing Witten Substation, and approximately two miles of 230-kV double-circuit transmission line between Big Bend Dam and the new Lower Brule Switchyard. Communications facilities including a microwave relay tower and associated building will also be constructed at the Lower Brule Switchyard and Witten Substation. A portion of the proposed transmission line crosses Indian trust lands of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, and the agencies have closely cooperated with the Tribe in preparation of the EA. Basin Electric is requesting RUS financial assistance for the proposed action. To ensure that parties interested in the proposed action are provided adequate opportunity for comment, notices are being reissued and the public comment period is being extended for 30 days.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 33 (Thursday, February 19, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 8848]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-03385]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Basin Electric Power Cooperative: Notice of Extension of Public 
Comment Period for an Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Extension of Public Comment Period for an 
Environmental Assessment.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is extending the public 
comment period for an Environmental Assessment (EA) related to a 
proposed project by Basin Electric Power Cooperative (Basin Electric). 
The Western Area Power Administration (Western) and the Bureau of 
Indian Affairs (BIA) are cooperating agencies in preparation of the EA. 
The proposed Big Bend to Witten Transmission Line Project (proposed 
action) consists of an approximately 70-mile long 230-kV single-circuit 
transmission line, a new Western switchyard called Lower Brule 
Switchyard, an addition to the existing Witten Substation, and 
approximately two miles of 230-kV double-circuit transmission line 
between Big Bend Dam and the new Lower Brule Switchyard. Communications 
facilities including a microwave relay tower and associated building 
will also be constructed at the Lower Brule Switchyard and Witten 
Substation. A portion of the proposed transmission line crosses Indian 
trust lands of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, and the agencies have 
closely cooperated with the Tribe in preparation of the EA. Basin 
Electric is requesting RUS financial assistance for the proposed 
action. To ensure that parties interested in the proposed action are 
provided adequate opportunity for comment, notices are being reissued 
and the public comment period is being extended for 30 days.

DATES: A Notice of Availability of the Environmental Assessment was 
published in the Federal Register on January 28, 2015. Written comments 
on this notice must now be received on or before March 30, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To obtain copies of the EA or for 
further information, contact Richard Fristik, Senior Environmental 
Protection Specialist, USDA, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW., Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250-1571, telephone: (202) 720-
5093, or email: [email protected]; or, or Kevin L. Solie, 
Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Inc., 1717 East Interstate Avenue, 
Bismarck, ND 58503-0564, telephone: (701) 355-5495, or email: 
[email protected]. A copy of the EA may be viewed on line at the Agency's 
Web site: http://www.rd.usda.gov/files/UWPBigBendtoWitten_EA_Nov_2014_Final.pdf and at the following 
locations:
    Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 2240, 
Washington, DC 20250
    Basin Electric Power Cooperative, 1717 East Interstate Ave., 
Bismarck, ND 58503-0564

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The network transmission system in South 
Dakota is not able to accommodate projected load growth in the next 
several years. This transmission line is proposed to strengthen the 
transmission network, improve transmission system reliability, and to 
help meet future demand for electricity and economic development in the 
region. In addition to increasing load serving ability for both Rosebud 
and West Central Electric Cooperatives, the Project would provide 
additional access to the regional high voltage transmission system. The 
proposed Big Bend to Witten line would enhance system reliability by 
providing an additional connection to the ``grid'' roughly midpoint 
along this east-west line. If a portion of the Fort Randall to Martin 
115-kV line would be damaged by a storm, the Big Bend to Witten line 
could provide power to the undamaged segments of the line. The proposed 
line also would provide a tap point for West Central near Reliance, 
which would enhance the reliability and stability of the West Central 
system. The tap point near Reliance would provide an additional power 
line to the Lower Brule Sioux Indian Reservation, which currently has 
only one older line, and would provide reliability and stability to 
power on the Reservation. In addition, future wind generation 
facilities may be able to interconnect to the proposed line to convey 
power to West Central's markets. Lastly, the Project lends itself to 
additional build-out in support of Western's long-range plan for a 230-
kV system in southern South Dakota, and it would provide an increase in 
the load serving capacity such that the delivery needs of the projected 
network load can be met in a reliable manner.
    Basin Electric is seeking financing from RUS for its ownership of 
the proposed project. Before making a decision to provide financing, 
RUS is required to conduct an environmental review under NEPA in 
accordance with RUS's Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR part 
1794). AECOM, an environmental consultant, prepared an EA for RUS that 
describes the project and assesses the proposed project's environmental 
impacts. RUS has conducted an independent evaluation of the EA and 
believes that it accurately assesses the impacts of the proposed 
project. No significant impacts are expected as a result of the 
construction of the project.
    Any final action by RUS related to the proposed action will be 
subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant Federal, 
State, and local environmental laws and regulations and completion of 
the environmental review requirements as prescribed in RUS's 
Environmental Policies and Procedures at 7 CFR part 1794.

Richard Fristik,
Acting Director, Engineering and Environmental Staff, Rural Utilities 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-03385 Filed 2-18-15; 8:45 am]
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