83 FR 63149 - Cardinal-Hickory Creek 345-kV Transmission Line Project
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 235 (December 7, 2018)
Rural Utilities Service
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 235 (December 7, 2018)
| Page Range | 63149-63151 | |
| FR Document | 2018-26558 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 235 (Friday, December 7, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 63149-63151] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-26558] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service Cardinal-Hickory Creek 345-kV Transmission Line Project AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of availability of a draft environmental impact statement; notice of public meetings; and section 106 notification to the public. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to meet its responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and environmental policies and procedures related to providing financial assistance [[Page 63150]] to Dairyland Power Cooperative (DPC). Further, in accordance with section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and pursuant to the regulations participation in the section 106 process and coordination with the National Environmental Policy Act, RUS is using its procedures for public involvement under NEPA to meet its responsibilities to solicit and consider the views of the public during the section 106 review for the proposed project. RUS would be providing financial assistance to DPC for its share in the construction of a proposed 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission line and associated infrastructure connecting the Hickory Creek Substation in Dubuque County, Iowa, with the Cardinal Substation in the Town of Middleton, Wisconsin (near Madison, Wisconsin). The Project also includes a new intermediate 345/138-kV substation near the Village of Montfort in either Grant County or Iowa County, Wisconsin. The total length of the 345- kV transmission lines associated with the proposed project will be approximately 125 miles. DPC and the other project participants have identified proposed and alternate segments and locations for transmission lines and associated facilities and for the intermediate substation. Dairyland Power Cooperative is requesting RUS to provide financing for its portion of the proposed project. DPC is participating in the proposed project with two other utilities, American Transmission Company LLC, and ITC Midwest LLC (Utilities). The purpose of the proposed project is to: Address reliability issues on the regional bulk transmission system, alleviate congestion that occurs in certain parts of the transmission system and remove constraints that limit the delivery of power, expand the access of the transmission system to additional resources, increase the transfer capability of the electrical system between Iowa and Wisconsin, reduce the losses in transferring power and increase the efficiency of the transmission system, and respond to public policy objectives aimed at enhancing the nation's transmission system and to support the changing generation mix. A more detailed explanation of the purpose and need for the project can be found in the Draft EIS. DATES: Written comments on this Draft EIS will be accepted for 60 calendar days following the publication of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's notice of receipt of the Draft EIS in the Federal Register. RUS will conduct six formal public meetings in the project area. A court reporter will be available to record agency and public comments. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date Location Time Venue ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- January 22, 2019.................. Peosta, IA.......... 1:00-3:00 p.m.............. Peosta Community Center, 7896 Burds Road, Peosta, IA 52068. January 22, 2019.................. Guttenberg, IA...... 6:00-8:00 p.m.............. Guttenberg Municipal Bldg., 502 First St., Guttenberg, IA 52052. January 23, 2019.................. Cassville, WI....... 5:00-7:00 p.m.............. Cassville Middle School Cafeteria, 715 E Amelia St., Cassville, WI 53806. January 24, 2019.................. Dodgeville, WI...... 5:00-7:00 p.m.............. Dodgeville Bowl Banquet Hall, 318 King St., Dodgerville, WI 53533. January 28, 2019.................. Barneveld, WI....... 5:00-8:00 p.m.............. Deer Valley Lodge, 401 West Industrial Drive, Barneveld, WI 53507. January 29, 2019.................. Middleton, WI....... 5:00-8:00 p.m.............. Madison Marriott West, 1313 John Q. Hammonds Drive, Middleton, WI 53562. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ADDRESSES: A copy of the Draft EIS may be viewed online at the following website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/publications/environmental-studies/impact-statements/cardinal-%E2%80%93-hickory-creek-transmission-line and Dairyland Power Cooperative, 3521 East Avenue South, La Crosse, WI 54602 and at 13 local libraries in the project area and the USFWS McGregor District Office in Prairie du Chien, WI. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To obtain copies of the Draft EIS, to request further participation or request consulting party status under section 106 of the NHPA or for further information, contact: Lauren Cusick or Dennis Rankin, Environmental Protection Specialist, USDA, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 2244, Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250-1571, by phone at (202) 720-1414 or email [email protected] or [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: RUS is the lead agency for the federal environmental review with cooperating and participating agencies as outlined in the Draft EIS. The first Notice of Intent (NOI) to Prepare an EIS and Hold Public Scoping Meeting was published in the Federal Register at 81 FR 71697, on October 18, 2016 to initiate a 30-day public scoping period. Four public scoping meetings for the EIS were held in the project area in October and November 2016, and the public comment was extended to 81 days and comments were accepted from October 18, 2016 through January 6, 2017. On November 22, 2016 RUS published a second NOI announcing a second round of public scoping meetings in December 2017. RUS issued a Scoping Report in May 2018. The Draft EIS addresses the construction and operation of the proposed project, which, in addition to the 345-kV transmission line and associated infrastructure, includes the following facilities: a. At the existing Cardinal Substation in Dane County, Wisconsin: A new 345-kV terminal within the substation; b. At the new proposed Hill Valley Substation near the Village of Montfort, Wisconsin: A 10-acre facility with four 345-kV circuit breakers, one 345-kV shunt reactor, one 345-kV/138-kV autotransformer, and three 138-kV circuit breakers; c. At the existing Eden Substation near the village of Montfort, Wisconsin: Transmission line protective relaying upgrades, ground grid improvements, and replacement of equipment within the Eden Substation; d. Between the existing Eden Substation and the proposed Hill Valley Substation near the Village of Montfort, Wisconsin: A rebuild of the approximately 1-mile Hill Valley to Eden 138-kV transmission line; e. At the existing Wyoming Valley Substation near Wyoming, Wisconsin: Ground grid improvements; f. Between the existing Cardinal Substation and the proposed Hill Valley Substation: A new 50- to 53-mile (depending on the final route) 345-kV transmission line; g. Between the proposed Hill Valley Substation and existing Hickory Creek [[Page 63151]] Substation: A new 50- to 70-mile (depending on the final route) 345-kV transmission line; h. At the Mississippi River in Cassville, Wisconsin: A rebuild and possible relocation of the existing Mississippi River transmission line crossing to accommodate the new 345-kV transmission line and Dairyland's 161-kV transmission line, and which would be capable of operating at 345-kV/345-kV but will initially be operated at 345-kV/ 161-kV; 1. depending on the final route and the Mississippi River crossing locations: i. A new 161-kV terminal and transmission line protective relaying upgrades within the existing Nelson Dewey Substation in Cassville, Wisconsin; ii. a replaced or reinforced structure within the Stoneman Substation in Cassville, Wisconsin; iii. multiple, partial, or complete rebuilds of existing 69-kV and 138-kV transmission lines in Wisconsin that would be collocated with the new 345-kV line; i. At the existing Turkey River Substation in Dubuque County, Iowa: Two 161-/69-kV transformers, four 161-kV circuit breakers, and five 69- kV circuit breakers; and j. At the existing Hickory Creek Substation in Dubuque County, Iowa: A new 345-kV terminal within the existing Hickory Creek Substation. Among the alternatives addressed in the Draft EIS is the No Action alternative, under which the proposed project would not be undertaken. Additional alternatives addressed in the Draft EIS include six action alternatives connecting the Cardinal Station in Wisconsin with the Hickory Creek Station in Iowa. RUS has carefully studied public health and safety, environmental impacts, and engineering aspects of the proposed project. RUS used input provided by government agencies, private organizations, and the public in the preparation of the Draft EIS. RUS will prepare a Final EIS that considers all comments received on the Draft EIS. Following the 30 calendar day comment period for the Final EIS, RUS will prepare a Record of Decision (ROD). Notices announcing the availability of the Final EIS and the ROD will be published in the Federal Register and in local newspapers. In accordance with section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and its implementing regulation, ``Protection of Historic Properties'' (36 CFR part 800) and as part of its broad environmental review process, RUS must take into account the effect of the proposed project on historic properties. Pursuant to 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3), RUS is using its procedures for public involvement under NEPA to meet its responsibilities to solicit and consider the views of the public during section 106 review. Any party wishing to participate more directly with RUS as a ``consulting party'' in section 106 review may submit a written request to the RUS contact provided in this notice. The proposed project involves unavoidable impacts to wetlands and floodplains; this Notice of Availability also serves as a statement of no practicable alternatives to impacts on wetlands and floodplains, in accordance with Executive Orders 11990 and 11988, respectively. Any final action by RUS related to the proposed project 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 the RUS Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR part 1970). Dated: November 8, 2018. Christopher A. McLean, Assistant Administrator, Electric Programs, Rural Utilities Service. [FR Doc. 2018-26558 Filed 12-6-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-15-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 235 / Friday, December 7, 2018 / Notices 63149
(3) Enhance the quality, utility and You may also send comments to the Respondents: Individuals, businesses,
clarity of the information to be Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of and agencies with responsibilities for
collected; Information and Regulatory Affairs, emergency preparedness and response.
(4) Minimize the burden of the Office of Management and Budget, Estimated Annual Number of
collection of information on those who Washington, DC 20503. Copies of the Respondents: 100.
are to respond, including through the information collection may be requested Estimated Number of Reponses per
use of appropriate automated, by contacting Lesa A. Johnson at the Respondent: 0.95.
electronic, mechanical, or other above addresses. Estimated Total Annual Responses:
technological collection techniques or FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
95.
other forms of information technology. Estimated Average Time per
David Wechsler, (202) 720–2929.
All comments received in response to Response: 0.5 hours.
this notice, including names and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Estimated Total Annual Burden on
addresses when provided, will be a Title: Request for Special Priorities Respondents: 50 hours.
matter of public record. Comments will Assistance for APAS. We are requesting comments on all
be summarized and included in the OMB Control Number: 0560–0280. aspects of this information collection to
submission for Office of Management Expiration Date of Approval: March help us to:
and Budget approval. 31, 2019. (1) Evaluate whether the collection of
Type of Request: Extension of a information is necessary for the proper
Steve Peterson,
currently approved information performance of the functions of the
Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
collection. FSA, including whether the information
[FR Doc. 2018–26504 Filed 12–6–18; 8:45 am] will have practical utility;
Abstract: APAS would efficiently
BILLING CODE 3410–05–P
place priority ratings on contracts or (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the FSA’s
orders of agriculture commodities up estimate of burden including the
through the wholesale levels, validity of the methodology and
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE assumptions used;
agriculture production equipment,
Farm Service Agency allocate resources, and handle food (3) Enhance the quality, utility and
claims within its authority as specified clarity of the information to be
Information Collection Request; in the Defense Production Act (DPA) of collected;
Request for Special Priorities 1950, as amended, when necessary to (4) Minimize the burden of the
Assistance promote national defense. It was collection of information on those who
determined that food is a scarce and are to respond, including through the
AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA. use of appropriate automated,
critical commodity essential to the
ACTION: Notice; request for comments. electronic, mechanical, or other
national defense (including civil
emergency preparedness and response). technological collection techniques or
SUMMARY: In accordance with the
Unless its production, processing, other forms of information technology.
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the All comments received in response to
Farm Service Agency (FSA) is storage, and wholesale distribution are
this notice, including names and
requesting comments from all interested regulated during times of emergencies,
addresses when provided, will be a
individuals and organizations on an the national defense requirement for
matter of public record. Comments will
extension of a currently approved food and food production may not be
be summarized and included in the
information collection request met without creating hardship in the
submission for Office of Management
associated with the Request for Special civilian marketplace. Applicants
and Budget approval.
Priorities Assistance. The information (Government agencies or private
collection established by the Agriculture individuals with a role in emergency Steven Peterson,
Priorities and Allocations System preparedness, response, and recovery Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
(APAS) regulation is necessary for the functions) will request authorization [FR Doc. 2018–26505 Filed 12–6–18; 8:45 am]
program applicant (person) to request from USDA to place a rating on a BILLING CODE 3410–05–P
prioritizing of a contract above all other contract for items to support national
contracts. The purpose of the priority defense activities. Priority rating request
rating is to obtain item(s) in support of procedures and forms can be found on DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
national defense programs that they are USDA’s website. Applicants must
not able to obtain in time through supply, at time of request, their name, Rural Utilities Service
normal market channels. location, contact information, items for
which the applicant is requesting Cardinal-Hickory Creek 345-kV
DATES: We will consider comments that
assistance on, quantity, and delivery Transmission Line Project
we receive by February 5, 2019.
ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit date. Applicants can submit the request AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
comments on the notice. In your by mail or fax. There are no changes to
ACTION: Notice of availability of a draft
comments, include date, volume, and the burden hours since the last OMB
environmental impact statement; notice
page number of this issue of the Federal approval.
of public meetings; and section 106
Register. You may submit comments by For the following estimated total notification to the public.
any of the following methods: annual burden on respondents, the
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to formula used to calculate the total SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES
http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the burden hour is the estimated average the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) has
online instructions for submitting time per responses hours multiplied by prepared a Draft Environmental Impact
comments. the estimated total annual responses. Statement (EIS) to meet its
• Mail: David Weschsler, USDA/ Estimate of Respondent Burden: responsibilities under the National
FPAC/HS, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Public reporting burden for the Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and
Room 0092–S, Mail Stop 0560, information collection is estimated to environmental policies and procedures
Washington, DC 20250–0567. average 30 minutes (0.50) per response. related to providing financial assistance
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![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 235 / Friday, December 7, 2018 / Notices 63151
Substation: A new 50- to 70-mile project on historic properties. Pursuant Economic Census covering the
(depending on the final route) 345-kV to 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3), RUS is using its Manufacturing Sector.
transmission line; procedures for public involvement The Census Bureau allowed the
h. At the Mississippi River in under NEPA to meet its responsibilities previous clearance to lapse since ASM
Cassville, Wisconsin: A rebuild and to solicit and consider the views of the inquiries for survey year 2017 (collected
possible relocation of the existing public during section 106 review. Any in 2018) are cleared as part of the 2017
Mississippi River transmission line party wishing to participate more Economic Census (0607–0998). The
crossing to accommodate the new 345- directly with RUS as a ‘‘consulting Census Bureau is requesting
kV transmission line and Dairyland’s party’’ in section 106 review may reinstatement to continue annual
161-kV transmission line, and which submit a written request to the RUS collection of the ASM for survey years
would be capable of operating at 345- contact provided in this notice. 2018, 2019, and 2020.
kV/345-kV but will initially be operated The proposed project involves The ASM collects data on
at 345-kV/161-kV; unavoidable impacts to wetlands and employment, payroll, hours, wages of
1. depending on the final route and floodplains; this Notice of Availability production workers, value added by
the Mississippi River crossing locations: also serves as a statement of no manufacture, cost of materials, value of
i. A new 161-kV terminal and practicable alternatives to impacts on shipments by North American Product
transmission line protective relaying wetlands and floodplains, in accordance Classification System (NAPCS) product
upgrades within the existing Nelson with Executive Orders 11990 and 11988, code, inventories, cost of employer’s
Dewey Substation in Cassville, respectively. fringe benefits, operating expenses, and
Wisconsin; Any final action by RUS related to the expenditures for new and used plant
ii. a replaced or reinforced structure proposed project will be subject to, and and equipment. The Census Bureau
within the Stoneman Substation in contingent upon, compliance with all tabulates and publishes data for most of
Cassville, Wisconsin; relevant Federal, State and local these items by two-digit through six-
iii. multiple, partial, or complete environmental laws and regulations, digit North American Industry
rebuilds of existing 69-kV and 138-kV and completion of the environmental Classification System (NAICS) levels.
transmission lines in Wisconsin that review requirements as prescribed in The Census Bureau also publishes ASM
would be collocated with the new 345- the RUS Environmental Policies and data by state at the two-through four-
kV line; Procedures (7 CFR part 1970). digit NAICS levels.
i. At the existing Turkey River Federal agencies use ASM data as
Substation in Dubuque County, Iowa: Dated: November 8, 2018. benchmarks for their statistical
Two 161-/69-kV transformers, four 161- Christopher A. McLean, programs, including the Federal Reserve
kV circuit breakers, and five 69-kV Assistant Administrator, Electric Programs, Board’s Index of Industrial Production
circuit breakers; and Rural Utilities Service. and the Bureau of Economic Analysis’
j. At the existing Hickory Creek [FR Doc. 2018–26558 Filed 12–6–18; 8:45 am] (BEA) National Income and Product
Substation in Dubuque County, Iowa: A BILLING CODE 3410–15–P Accounts. The Department of Energy
new 345-kV terminal within the existing relies on ASM estimates on the use of
Hickory Creek Substation. energy during production in the
Among the alternatives addressed in DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE manufacturing sector. These data also
the Draft EIS is the No Action are used as benchmark data for the
alternative, under which the proposed Census Bureau Manufacturing Energy Consumption
project would not be undertaken. Survey, which is conducted for the
Additional alternatives addressed in the Submission for OMB Review; Department of Energy by the Census
Draft EIS include six action alternatives Comment Request Bureau. Within the Census Bureau, the
connecting the Cardinal Station in The Department of Commerce will ASM data are used to benchmark and
Wisconsin with the Hickory Creek submit to the Office of Management and reconcile monthly and quarterly
Station in Iowa. RUS has carefully Budget (OMB) for clearance the estimates of manufacturing production
studied public health and safety, following proposal for collection of and inventories.
environmental impacts, and engineering information under the provisions of the The survey also provides valuable
aspects of the proposed project. Paperwork Reduction Act. information to private companies,
RUS used input provided by Agency: U.S. Census Bureau. research organizations, and trade
government agencies, private Title: Annual Survey of Manufactures. associations. Industry makes extensive
organizations, and the public in the OMB Control Number: 0607–0449. use of the annual figures on NAPCS
preparation of the Draft EIS. RUS will Form Number(s): MA–10000. product shipments for market analysis,
prepare a Final EIS that considers all Type of Request: Reinstatement, with product planning, and investment
comments received on the Draft EIS. change of an expired collection. planning. State development and
Following the 30 calendar day comment Number of Respondents: 55,000. planning agencies rely on ASM data for
period for the Final EIS, RUS will Average Hours per Response: 3.5 policymaking, planning, and
prepare a Record of Decision (ROD). hours. administration.
Notices announcing the availability of Burden Hours: 192,500. The Census Bureau plans to make the
the Final EIS and the ROD will be Needs and Uses: The Census Bureau following changes to the ASM data
published in the Federal Register and in is requesting a reinstatement with collection:
local newspapers. changes of the expired collection for the
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES
In accordance with section 106 of the Annual Survey of Manufactures (ASM). a. Elimination of the MA–10000(S)
National Historic Preservation Act and The Census Bureau has conducted the The MA–10000(S) questionnaire will
its implementing regulation, ‘‘Protection ASM since 1949 to provide key be eliminated. Historically, all locations
of Historic Properties’’ (36 CFR part 800) measures of manufacturing activity of multiple-establishment firms and
and as part of its broad environmental during intercensal periods. In census large single-establishment firms in the
review process, RUS must take into years ending in ‘‘2’’ and ‘‘7,’’ we mail sample were asked to report on the MA–
account the effect of the proposed and collect the ASM as part of the 10000(L) questionnaire. The remaining
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Document Created: 2018-12-07 01:52:32
Document Modified: 2018-12-07 01:52:32
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of availability of a draft environmental impact statement; notice of public meetings; and section 106 notification to the public. | |
| Dates | Written comments on this Draft EIS will be accepted for 60 calendar days following the publication of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's notice of receipt of the Draft EIS in the Federal Register. RUS will conduct six formal public meetings in the project area. A court reporter will be available to record agency and public comments. | |
| Contact | To obtain copies of the Draft EIS, to request further participation or request consulting party status under section 106 of the NHPA or for further information, contact: Lauren Cusick or Dennis Rankin, Environmental Protection Specialist, USDA, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 2244, Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250-1571, by phone at (202) 720-1414 or email [email protected] or [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 63149 |
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