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Casper Creek Crossing, Spence-Thermopolis 230-kV and Alcova- Copper Mountain 115-kV Transmission Lines
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
[Federal Register: September 13, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 178)]
[Notices]
[Page 47650-47651]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13se01-40]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Western Area Power Administration
Casper Creek Crossing, Spence-Thermopolis 230-kV and Alcova-
Copper Mountain 115-kV Transmission Lines
AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of Floodplain Statement of Findings.
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SUMMARY: This Floodplain Statement of Findings for the Casper Creek
Crossing, Spence-Thermopolis 230-kilovolt (kV) and Alcova-Copper
Mountain 115-kV Transmission Lines was prepared in accordance with the
U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Floodplain/Wetland Review
Requirements (10 CFR part 1022). Western Area Power Administration
(Western), a power marketing agency of the U.S. Department of Energy
(DOE), is the lead Federal agency for a proposal to make repairs and
correct erosion problems at the Casper Creek Crossing for the Spence-
Thermopolis 230-kV and Alcova-Copper Mountain 115-kV
[[Page 47651]]
Transmission Lines. This project is located in Natrona County, Wyoming,
approximately 40 miles west of Casper, Wyoming. Western plans to
replace an existing culvert crossing at the Casper Creek with a rock
filled gabion type structure. Approximately 50 yards downstream,
additional rock filled gabion type structures will be placed in the
creek. A crossing at Casper Creek is necessary to provide access for
transmission line inspection and transmission line maintenance. All
proposed work will occur within the floodplain of the Middle Fork
Casper Creek.
Western prepared a floodplain assessment describing the effects,
alternatives, and measures designed to avoid or minimize potential harm
to or within the affected floodplain. This action is categorically
excluded under DOE's National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
Implementing Procedures (10 CFR part 1021). A 15-day public review
period will be provided before the action is taken.
DATES: Comments on the floodplain action are due September 28, 2001.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to Mr. Rodney Jones, Environmental
Specialist, Rocky Mountain Customer Service Region, Western Area Power
Administration, P.O. Box 3700, Loveland, CO 80539-3003; fax: (970) 461-
7213, e-mail rjones@wapa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Rodney Jones, at the above
address, telephone (970) 461-7371. For further information on DOE
Floodplain/Wetlands Environmental Review Requirements, contact: Ms.
Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, NEPA Policy and Compliance, EH-42, U.S.
Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC
20585, telephone (202) 586-4600 or (800) 472-2756.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Statement of Findings for the proposal
to make repairs and correct erosion problems at the Casper Creek
Crossing for the Spence-Thermopolis 230-kV and Alcova-Copper Mountain
115-kV Transmission Lines was prepared in accordance with 10 CFR part
1022. A notice of floodplain involvement was published in the Federal
Register (FR) on June 25, 2001 (66 FR 33678). The State of Wyoming,
Office of Federal Land Policy, responded to the notice stating that no
State agencies brought up concerns to be addressed in the floodplain
assessment. The State of Wyoming requested a copy of the floodplain
assessment when it was completed.
The Casper Creek Crossing is located at the Middle Fork Casper
Creek, in Natrona County, Wyoming, in T.3 N., R. 86 W., Sections 3 and
4. The road used to access and maintain Western's Spence-Thermopolis
230-kV and Alcova-Copper Mountain 115-kV Transmission Lines has been
washed out by flows within the Middle Fork Casper Creek. Since
construction of the power lines, the culverts at the stream crossings
have been washed out and replaced numerous times. After each wash out,
it was necessary to move the stream crossings further upstream to avoid
the deeply incised stream channel. The proposed project would construct
drop structures and a stream crossing that are designed to stabilize
the stream channel, dissipate stream flow velocities during peak flow
events, minimize erosion, restore stream banks to reasonable slopes,
and allow continued access by Western to inspect and maintain its
transmission lines.
Drop structures would be placed at two locations on the Middle Fork
Casper Creek. The uppermost location will be approximately 350 feet
west (upstream) of the transmission line's rights-of-way. A series of
three drop structures is anticipated at the uppermost location. The low
water crossing, consisting of riprap, will be located immediately
upstream of first drop structure. Drop structures will also be placed
at or near the original road crossing (downstream) directly below the
existing power lines. A series of four drop structures is anticipated
at the downstream location.
The drop structures will be constructed of one-quarter inch thick
steel plate, rock riprap, gabion wire, silt liner, and steel pipe.
Additionally, riprap will be placed upstream and downstream of the drop
structures to provide grade stabilization upstream and downstream of
the drop structures. The stream banks between the upper and lower drop
structures will be contoured and vegetated. Slopes along this stream
reach will be cut back to a 2 to 1 slope ratio (2:1) or less. Upon
completing the bank contouring, the slopes will be seeded with native
vegetation to promote slope stability.
Western considered an alternative to the proposed project that
would involve reinstallation of larger culverts at the present crossing
site. However, given the past experience with culverts washing out
during heavy rain events, this was not considered a long-term solution
to the problem. Repeated culvert washouts were contributing to stream
bank erosion and stream channel degradation downstream.
Environmental impacts associated with the proposed project are
expected to be minimal. Based on the hydrology of the Middle Fork
Casper Creek and apparent lack of hydrophytic vegetation and hydric
soils, wetlands are not present at the site. Implementation of the
proposed project will stabilize the stream channel, dissipate stream
flow velocities, stabilize stream banks, and maintain the chemical,
physical, and biological integrity of the Middle Fork Casper Creek.
Direct and indirect impacts to other resources (e.g., wildlife and air
quality) are expected to be negligible as well.
The project is located within the boundaries of a National Register
of Historic Places-eligible archaeological site. Through a conversation
between the Western Historic Preservation Officer and the Wyoming State
Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), Western contracted to perform
archaeological testing to determine if this project will have an effect
on the eligibility of the site. A field visit indicated that it is
unlikely intact buried features are located in the project area. An
extensive augering program will be done within the area to be impacted
along the creek, as well as along the access road to the east. Western
will consult with the SHPO on the findings of this augering program
prior to implementation of the project.
The construction of the project would not affect existing flood
characteristics. No measurable change in flood stage is anticipated.
Construction activities, which will take approximately 14 days to
complete, will be scheduled during late summer to early fall, under low
flow conditions. The action conforms to all applicable State and local
floodplain protection standards.
A small increased risk of pollution could result from having
construction equipment working in the floodplain. This includes the
risk of accidental oil or fuel spills from malfunctioning equipment.
Given the size of equipment involved and the amount of potential spill
material, this risk is considered very low. If a spill were to occur it
would be minor and could be readily contained and cleaned up.
Dated: September 5, 2001.
Michael S. Hacskaylo,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 01-22973 Filed 9-12-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P