140923 wapa efi dropinmeetings boards

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WELCOME! Estes-to-Flatiron Transmission Lines Rebuild Drop-in Learning Sessions (Drop In anytime from 12 pm to 7 pm) September 23, 2014 Estes Park Museum 200 Fourth Street Estes Park, CO September 24, 2014 Bison Visitor Center 1800 S. County Road 31 Loveland, CO

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Page 1: 140923 WAPA EFI DropInMeetings boards

WELCOME!

Estes-to-Flatiron Transmission Lines RebuildDrop-in Learning Sessions

(Drop In anytime from 12 pm to 7 pm)

September 23, 2014Estes Park Museum200 Fourth StreetEstes Park, CO

September 24, 2014 Bison Visitor Center

1800 S. County Road 31 Loveland, CO

Page 2: 140923 WAPA EFI DropInMeetings boards

EIS PROCESS

Alternatives Development

Final EIS and NOA

Draft EIS andDrop-In Learning Sessions

Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS

Records of Decision

45-Day Comment Period & Public Hearings

Forest Service Objection/Resolution Period

Opportunities for Public Input

WE ARE HERE

Public ScopingApril 17 - August 31, 2012

Page 3: 140923 WAPA EFI DropInMeetings boards

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

At this meeting:1. Learn about the proposed alternatives;

2. Review the highlights of the DEIS; and

3. Learn about the DEIS public comment period.

After this meetingSend comments to:

Mark Wieringa Western Area Power Administration, A7400 P.O. Box 281213 Lakewood, CO 80228-8213 [email protected]

Attend the Public Open Houses and Public hearings:

October 29th: Rialto Theater, LovelandOctober 30th: Estes Park Conference

Center

Page 4: 140923 WAPA EFI DropInMeetings boards

EXPA

NDE

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BLIC

INVO

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Page 5: 140923 WAPA EFI DropInMeetings boards

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Western proposes to rebuild two existing H-frame wood-pole 115-kV transmission lines, totaling about 32 miles long, between Flatiron Reservoir and Estes Park. These lines are over 60 years old. The Alternatives A-C of the proposed project would rebuild aging and deteriorating transmission lines, and reduce the linear miles of transmission line by half. Western’s proposal includes:

• Approximately 16 miles of the existing transmission line would be removed.

• The transmission line would be rebuilt with steel monopole structures replacing the existing wood H-frame structures, in a double-circuit

• Utilizing existing ROW, if possible.• Structure height would increase from 70 feet to up to 105 feet. • ROW would need to be expanded to 110 feet in areas with inadequate

ROW. • Variants A2 and C1 include 2.7 miles of underground construction on

the westernmost portion of the line.

Alternative D rebuilds the two existing transmission lines on separate ROWs. Changes include structure height increasing 5 to 10 feet, expansion of the ROWs as needed, and a reroute around Newell Lake Subdivision.

Page 6: 140923 WAPA EFI DropInMeetings boards

PURPOSE AND NEED

Western Area Power Administration has determined that the existing lines need to be upgraded and rebuilt.

TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS IN THE UNITED STATES ARE PLANNED, OPERATED AND MAINTAINED TO MEET NORTH AMERICAN ELECTRIC RELIABILITY CORPORATION (NERC) RELIABILITY STANDARDS AND NATIONAL ELECTRICAL SAFETY CODE (NESC) REQUIREMENTS. THESE ORGANIZATIONS ESTABLISH RELIABILITY, SAFETY AND OTHER STANDARDS FOR THE BULK POWER SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES.

NESC standards, Western must ensure its facilities:

• meet current safety standards,

• are readily accessible for maintenance and emergencies,

• , and

• are cost effective for its customers.

Page 7: 140923 WAPA EFI DropInMeetings boards

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Page 8: 140923 WAPA EFI DropInMeetings boards

MAKE YOUR COMMENTS COUNT

• Be clear, concise and relevant

• Things to comment on: the proposed alternatives, the assessment of the environmental impacts, proposed mitigation.

• of most concern, information on resource tradeoffs, information on the relative values

• Include supporting rationale that would aid in reaching a decision

• Reference the name of the Draft EIS and include your name, address, telephone number and

• NEPA isn’t a voting exercise -- don’t simply provide an expression of preference for one alternative versus another

Page 9: 140923 WAPA EFI DropInMeetings boards

HOW TO COMMENT

Ways to submit your comments:• Orally at the public open houses and hearings

• In writing at the drop-in meetings or public open houses

• E-mailed to:

[email protected]

• Mailed to:

Mark Wieringa Western Area Power Administration, A7400 PO Box 281213 Lakewood, CO 80228-8213

Public Open Houses and Hearing dates:Loveland: October 29th Estes Park: October 30th

Draft EIS comments must be postmarked or received by November 14th, 2014

Page 10: 140923 WAPA EFI DropInMeetings boards

PRO

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Page 11: 140923 WAPA EFI DropInMeetings boards

PRO

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Page 12: 140923 WAPA EFI DropInMeetings boards

POLE

STR

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Page 13: 140923 WAPA EFI DropInMeetings boards

WHAT’S IN THE EIS?

1. Alternatives Alternatives considered and measures taken to minimize adverse effects

2. Affected EnvironmentDescription of the existing environmental conditions for physical, biological, and human resources.

3. Environmental ImpactsDirect and indirect impacts of each alternative

4. Cumulative ImpactsEnvironmental impacts of the project when added to past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions.

Page 14: 140923 WAPA EFI DropInMeetings boards

ALT

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Page 15: 140923 WAPA EFI DropInMeetings boards

ALT

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Page 16: 140923 WAPA EFI DropInMeetings boards

PUBLIC INPUT ON ALTERNATIVE SEGMENTS

Segments Carried Forward for Analysis Map Reference Issue Identified During Internal & Public Scoping How proposed alternative or re-route addresses the issue A The existing transmission line ROW limits future

expansion of the Upper Thompson Sanitation District's treatment plant located on BOR land west of Mall Road.

Alternatives A & D propose minor adjustments to the existing alignment of the North Line to avoid conflicts with Sanitation District facility expansion. Alternatives B & C use the southern ROW, and therefore do not constrain facility expansion.

B Strong public preference for siting the ROW for the rebuild in the valley between Mt Olympus and Mt Pisgah.

Alternatives A & D follow the existing alignment of the North Line between Mt Olympus and Mt Pisgah. Variant A1 proposes a new alternate alignment to bring the line through the valley.

C The valley between Mt Olympus and Mt Pisgah is highly visible from the Town of Estes. Crocker Ranch also prefers a southern route across their property.

Alternatives B & C avoid the valley between Mt Olympus and Mt Pisgah by siting the ROW to the south.

D Areas with steep slopes and no (or inadequate) access present challenges for construction and maintenance of the rebuilt line. Areas with steep slopes and poor access include: 1) North Line west of , 2) South Line, south of US 36, 3) South Line west of Pole Hill Substation.

Alternative C avoids these three sections of existing ROW that have steep slopes and poor access.

E Visibility from US 36 Alternative C reduces visibility from US 36. F Meadowdale residents have strong preference for

siting the ROW for the rebuild to the north and/or west of the Meadowdale subdivison.

Alternative A and Variant A1 do not use existing ROW through Meadowdale Subdivision.

G Public comments requested that the transmission line be constructed underground on both the Estes Park and Pinewood Lake ends of the project to reduce effects to recreational and residential viewsheds, and visibility from US 36.

Variants A2 and C1 propose to construct the western end of Alternatives A & C underground. The Alternative A reroute around Newell Lake Subdivision addressed this issue without the added expense of underground construction. Therefore, an underground option is not carried on the east end of the project area.

H Reduce effects to recreational and residential viewsheds at Pinewood Lake (viewshed is to the south).

Alternative A avoids impacts to recreational and residential viewsheds at Pinewood Lake by rerouting the line to the north and east of Newell Lake View Subdivision. Alternatives C & D reduce effects on recreational and residential viewsheds by siting the line to follow Pole Hill Rd on the east side of Pinewood Lake.

I There is inadequate existing ROW through Newell Lake View Subdivision; expansion of existing ROW would require the removal of homes.

All alternatives avoid conflicts with homes in the Newell Lake View Subdivision.

Segments Dismissed from Detailed Analysis Map Reference Reason for Dismissal J Reroute west of Meadowdale Subdivision, on the east slope of Mount Pisgah. This proposed route crossed steep slopes

without any existing access roads, and would be difficult and costly to construct. Road construction across this topography would require excessive cut and fill.

K Reroute to the south side of the northern alignment to avoid an area with steep slopes and poor access west of . This route follows a riparian corridor and is not suitable for siting the transmission line.

L Reroutes far to the south of the southern alignment were suggested during workshops to reduce effects to recreational and residential viewsheds at Pinewood Lake. These reroutes were dismissed because they crossed protected lands, and did not fully address the issue. To more effectively respond to concerns regarding viewshed effects, a reroute to the north and east of Newell Lake View Subdivision (Alternative A) is proposed.

M Reroute along Cottonwood Creek. This reroute would extend from the vicinity of Flatiron Reservoir and follow an alignment to the northwest generally along Cottonwood Creek, rejoining the ROW of the existing North line near Pinewood Lake Dam. This alternative would require several miles of construction through steep terrain with poor access. It was dropped in favor of other alternatives, specifically Alternatives A, C, and D that accomplish an avoidance of the Pinewood Lake viewshed and adjacent subdivisions in a more direct and effective manner.

N A reroute that followed a gas pipeline between the northern and southern alignment on the east end of the project area was dismissed. The reroute was suggested as a means to collocate linear infrastructure. However, the reroute fails to effectively address other scoping issues raised, and for that reason was dismissed from further consideration.