94-23479. Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement for BPA's Hot Springs- Garrison Fiber Optic Project  

  • [Federal Register Volume 59, Number 183 (Thursday, September 22, 1994)]
    [Unknown Section]
    [Page 0]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 94-23479]
    
    
    [[Page Unknown]]
    
    [Federal Register: September 22, 1994]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
    Bonneville Power Administration
    
     
    
    Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement for BPA's Hot Springs-
    Garrison Fiber Optic Project
    
    AGENCY: Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), DOE.
    
    ACTION: Notice of Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement.
    
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    SUMMARY: BPA proposes to upgrade its existing operational 
    telecommunications equipment in Northwestern Montana from BPA's Hot 
    Springs Substation to Garrison Substation, a distance of 190 kilometers 
    (120 miles). This upgrade will involve replacing existing microwave 
    equipment with fiber optic cable and equipment. The fiber optic cable 
    will be strung on existing structures on BPA's Hot Springs-Garrison 
    line and will use existing access roads and rights-of-way. No new 
    structures will be needed for this project. This 190 kilometer line 
    will span both floodplains and wetlands located in the counties of 
    Sanders, Lake, Missoula, Granite, and Powell, Montana.
        In accordance with DOE regulations for compliance with floodplain 
    and wetlands environmental review requirements (10 CFR Part 1022), BPA 
    will prepare a floodplain and wetlands assessment and will perform this 
    proposed action in a manner so as to avoid or minimize potential harm 
    to or within the affected floodplain and wetlands.
        The assessment will be included in the environmental assessment 
    being prepared for the proposed project in accordance with the 
    requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. A floodplain 
    statement of findings will be included in any finding of no significant 
    impact that may be issued following the completion of the environmental 
    assessment.
    
    DATES: Comments are due to the address below no later than October 10, 
    1994.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin A. Ward, Bonneville Power 
    Administration, P.O. Box 3621, Portland, Oregon, 97208-3621, phone 
    number 503-230-5511, fax number 503-230-3984.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Within the transmission line corridor, 
    wetlands can be found in association with various river systems and 
    drainages. Many wetlands found along the Clark Fork river are remnants 
    of old river channels, some of which were isolated during construction 
    of Interstate 90, while others are due to the natural shifting of the 
    channels (oxbows). Small wetlands have formed in a few areas adjacent 
    to small drainages, such as Flint Creek. All wetlands are spanned by 
    the fiber optic cable and avoided by access roads; therefore, there 
    would be no direct impacts to wetlands from the proposed project. 
    Appropriate mitigation measures will be used to reduce potential 
    indirect impacts to wetlands.
        The transmission line corridor crosses or has structures located in 
    areas identified as 100-year floodplains. These are areas that have a 
    1-percent chance of being flooded in a given year. The corridor crosses 
    floodplains associated with the Clark Fork River, Flint Creek, 
    Rattlesnake Creek, Grant Creek, Butler Creek, Flathead River, Little 
    Bitterroot River, and Valley Creek.
        There are twenty-six structures located in 100-year floodplains. Of 
    these, three (structures 24/8, 25/2, and 91/4) have been identified as 
    pulling and tensioning sites. Overall impacts to floodplains would be 
    short-term and low; the proposed project activities would not alter 
    floodplain characteristics or create the potential for greater loss of 
    property or life during flooding. No new access roads or structures 
    would be needed. At pulling and tensioning sites disturbance would 
    occur from vehicles and machines, but all three sites are agricultural 
    and would be returned to their original condition following 
    construction.
        BPA will endeavor to allow 15 days of public review after 
    publication of this statement of findings prior to implementing the 
    proposed action.
        Maps and further information are available from BPA at the address 
    above.
    
        Issued in Portland, Oregon, on September 13, 1994.
    John M. Taves,
    NEPA Compliance Officer, Transmission Services.
    [FR Doc. 94-23479 Filed 9-21-94; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
09/22/1994
Department:
Bonneville Power Administration
Entry Type:
Uncategorized Document
Action:
Notice of Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement.
Document Number:
94-23479
Pages:
0-0 (1 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Federal Register: September 22, 1994