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Home My WebLink About20121506.tiff SITE SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND USE BY SPECIAL REVIEW (USR) APPLICATION • FOR PLANNING DEPARTMENT USE DATE RECEIVED: RECEIPT#/AMOUNT# /$ CASE#ASSIGNED: APPLICATION RECEIVED BY PLANNER ASSIGNED: Parcel Number: 096330100050 Parcel Number :096331100042 Parcel Number :096331400011 (12 digit number-found on Tax I.D.information,obtainable at the Weld County Assessor's Office,or www.co.weld.co.us) Legal Description: East 100ft of Sec 30 and East 100ft of the north half of the north half of Section 31 , Section 30&31Township 5 North, Range 64 West Zone District: Agricultural, Total Acreage: 24 , Flood Plain: NA , Geological Hazard: NA , Airport Overlay District: NA FEE OWNER(S)OF THE PROPERTY: Name: Highland Properties 1411, LLC Work Phone# Home Phone# Email Address: 1707 North Main Street City/State/Zip Code Longmont, CO 80501 Name: Thistle Down, Inc. Work Phone# Home Phone# Email Address: 24500 CR 49 • City/State/Zip Code Greeley, CO 80631 Name: DCP Midstream, LP Work Phone# Home Phone# Email Address: 370 17th Street City/State/Zip Code Denver, CO 80202 Name: FRICO Work Phone# Home Phone# Email Address: 80S. 27°'Ave City/State/Zip Code Brighton, CO 80601 APPLICANT OR AUTHORIZED AGENT (See Below:Authorization must accompany applications signed by Authorized Agent) Name: Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Laurie Spears Work Phone# 303-254-3597 Home Phone# Email Ispears(W.tristategt.orq Address: 1100 West 116th Ave Address: City/State/Zip Code Westminster, CO 80234 PROPOSED USE: Two miles of single circuit, 115-kV Transmission Line I (We)hereby depose and state under penalties of perjury that all statements, proposals, and/or plans submitted with or contained within the application are true and correct to the best of my(our)knowledge. Signatures of all • fee owners of property must sign this application.* If an Authorized Agent signs, a letter of authorization from all If a corporation is the fee owner, notarized evidence must be include dicatin the signatory has to legal authority to sign for the corporation.* Necessary property intere will tte cquir d prior to constructi n. Applicant has statutory power of eminent domain. 2012-1506 Signatur • er or Authorized Agent ate Signature: Owner or Authorized, ORIGINAL CONTRACT FOR EXECUTION Requestors: Please check if the Attached Contract is a Legal Approved Contract Template. ❑ Requestor represents and certifies to Tri-State and the authorized signer(s) that the attached contract is an unmodified and unamended Legal Approved Tri-State Contract Template Signature: Date: Printed Name: Reviewers: by initialing below you indicate that you recommend that the Contract be executed, unless you include comments that indicate otherwise. Signers: by initialing below you indicate you have executed the Contract. Please EXPEDITE its routing; commitments to the other signatory(s) require it. Please make arrangements for forwarding to an authorized delegate in your absence. Contract No. TS-12-0013 Date 2/9/12 Description Letter Agreement between Western and Tri-State for the Temporary Tap on the Weld-Kiowa Creek 115kV line • to feed PV's new POD-South Kersey Please Route To Initials Comments Reviewer(s): j? Tom Brady '1 i Ron Steinbach Pat Dille / �-- AdoKie //6, Stephanie Copeland ��jam, �t WA/AA d' Ao4d- i•` --�kp-cSigner(s): �• -- f�-.� 4' sumo , Joel K. Bladow � C/ / 5/101 2- When Complete, Please Return To: Mary Ann Zehr Ext. 3098 Notes: opetiF Department of Energy i& • _1 Western Area Power Administration 0. * Rocky Mountain Customer Service Region �� P.O. Box 3700 F( Loveland, CO 80539-3003 FEB 082012 Letter Agreement No. 12-RMR-2279 Queue No. 2011-T4 Tri-State No. TS-12-0013 (Temporary Tap Structure - Kersey West) Mr. Joel Bladow Senior Vice President, Transmission Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. P.O. Box 33695 Denver, CO 80233-0695 Dear Mr. Bladow: • On April 14, 2011, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. (Tri-State), requested on behalf of its member Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association, Inc. (Poudre Valley), a new point of delivery which will be at Western's planned Kersey West sectionalizing switchyard (Kersey West - KRW), located on Western Area Power Administration's (Western) Kiowa Creek-Weld 115-kV Transmission Line, near structure 19/5. Tri-State has requested an in-service date of December 2012. Western and Tri-State are unable to meet the requested in-service date with a permanent solution. Tri-State has requested a temporary tap at Western's planned Kersey West location, which is planned to be in-service by February 2013 and will be utilized until Kersey West is constructed. Tri-State plans to construct a new substation to be known as the South Kersey Substation (SKR), which will contain one 115/4.16-kV transformer. The SKR will be connected to Kersey West by Tri-State's planned two (2) miles of 115-kV Transmission Line (SKR-KRW Transmission Line). The Kersey West point of delivery will be used to serve approximately seventeen (17) MWs of load associated with a natural gas compression station being built by DCP Midstream, LLC. Agreement: In accordance with and subject to the provisions of this Letter Agreement No. 12-RMR-2279 (Agreement) between the parties, Western and Tri-State, agree to install the temporary tap under the following terms and conditions: • • 2 1. Western, at the sole expense of Tri-State, shall: 1.1 Review the designs for the temporary tap once received from Tri-State. 1.2 Construct dead-end structure(s) that will replace current structure(s), based on Tri-State's design. 1.3 Obtain environmental clearance, if necessary, for Western's temporary tap and access road, once the design is completed by Tri-State and reviewed by Western. 1.4 Obtain permission from the appropriate landowner(s) to install Western's temporary tap if the structure(s) or equipment will be within Western's current right-of-way (ROW), or obtain additional land rights for tap structure(s) or equipment, if necessary. 1.5 Perform a stability study upon receipt of motor data from Tri-State. 1.6 Connect the temporary tap to Tri-State's SKR-KRW Transmission Line. 1.7 Provide a representative on site while Tri-State or its contractor is working near Western's energized circuits and issue clearances, hot-line orders, IDand special work permits. "Near energized circuits" will be defined as anywhere there is the potential for violating minimum approach distances for non-electrical workers, as defined in Western's Power System Safety Manual. Western also reserves the right to have a representative present at any time work is being accomplished on Western's property or ROW. 1.8 Coordinate any required outages with Tri-State. 1.9 Make necessary modifications to Western's Master Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems required for the addition of the real-time load metering. 1.10 Disconnect the temporary tap once Kersey West is constructed or when this Agreement terminates. 1.11 Provide an environmental point of contact to facilitate timely information exchange. 1.12 Comply with environmental laws and regulations for those facilities that Western will own and operate as part of this project. 1.13 Prepare this Agreement and any other required documents. • • 3 2. Tri-State, at its sole expense, shall: 2.1 Design, to Tri-State and Rural Utilities Service standards, the temporary tap including a 115-kV disconnect switch and permit Western's review of design. 2.2 Design, to Western's standards, the construction of dead-end structure(s) for the replacement of current tangent structure(s). The temporary tap and dead-end structure(s) will be constructed to allow the Weld — Kiowa 115-kV Transmission Line to be sectionalized. The design shall be sent to Western for review to verify that all conductor clearances are met. 2.3 Provide motor specification data to Western for the stability study. 2.4 Provide motor starting study report to Western. 2.5 Provide and install the switch and any other necessary equipment for the temporary tap, including the temporary sectionalizing structure(s), and be responsible for operation and maintenance of temporary tap equipment. 2.6 Coordinate with Western to ensure implementation of Western's technical, • environmental, and administrative requirements. 2.7 Complete required environmental studies to install Tri-State's SKR-KRW Transmission Line and South Kersey Substation. 2.8 Provide an environmental point of contact to facilitate timely information exchange. 2.9 Comply with environmental laws and regulations for those facilities that Tri-State will own and operate as part of this project. 2.10 Provide real-time data, including breaker status and load data from the South Kersey Substation. 2.11 Coordinate any required outages with Western. 2.12 Provide and install Tri-State owned SKR-KRW Transmission Line. 2.13 Remove the temporary equipment and restore the ROW to its previous condition once Kersey West is constructed or when this Agreement terminates. • 4 3. Meter Data: 3.1 The Parties agree to low side metering at South Kersey Substation for the meter data associated with the temporary tap. The meter will be assessed a 2-percent transformer loss factor. 3.2 Tri-State will provide MV-90 data files to Western for the meter within the first five (5) days of each month for the previous month's data. 3.3 The kWh meter data will be included in Tri-State's Loveland Area Projects (LAP) Network Integration Transmission Service (NITS) billing. 3.4 The kWh meter data will be included in the Regulation and Frequency Response Service calculation done in conjunction with Tri-State's NITS calculation. 3.5 The kWh meter data will be added to Tri-State's Energy Imbalance Service calculation. 4. System Reliability: In the event of a reliability issue once the temporary tap is operating, such as but not limited to voltage support, Western can require • Tri-State to reduce load to eliminate the reliability issue. To the extent that time allows, at Western's sole determination, Western will work with Tri-State to determine actions required to eliminate a reliability issue. 5. Compensation: 5.1 The estimated cost of the work to be performed under Section 1 is Seventy Thousand Dollars ($70,000). 5.2 Western and Tri-State are parties to Letter Agreement No. 11-RMR-2256/ TS-11-0235 (Preconstruction Agreement). Western and Tri-State agree to use the funds provided in the Preconstruction Agreement to perform the work in Section 1. Once the Preconstruction Agreement terminates, any funds remaining on the Preconstruction Agreement will be applied to this Agreement. 5.3 In the event the funds advanced by Tri-State are insufficient for Western to complete the work described in Section 1, Tri-State shall, within ten (10) days after receipt of written notice from Western, advance any additional funds requested by Western. Western shall not be required to perform any work pursuant to this Agreement until the additional funds have been received. • • 5 5.4 If the total cost to Western, including all allocable expenses, is less than the sum of the total amounts advanced by Tri-State under this Agreement or the Preconstruction Agreement, Western shall refund the difference without any interest whatsoever as soon as the necessary vouchers can be prepared. 6. License: 6.1 Western, under the terms and conditions specified herein, hereby grants to Tri-State, its employees, agents, and contractors, a license to enter Western's easements and ROW to accomplish the work provided for in this Agreement, providing proper advance arrangements are made with Western. 6.2 Tri-State, under the terms and conditions specified herein, hereby grants to Western, its employees, agents, and contractors, a license to enter Tri- State's easements and ROW to accomplish the work provided for in this Agreement, providing proper advance arrangements are made with Tri-State. • 7. Liability: 7.1 Western is liable only for negligence on the part of its officers and employees in accordance with the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. §§ 1346(b), 1346(c), 2401(b), 2402, 2671, 2672, 2674-2680, as amended or supplemented. 7.2 Tri-State shall be liable for negligence on the part of its officers and employees in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado. 8. Term: This Agreement shall become effective on the date signed by Tri-State and shall terminate two (2) years from its effective date, Provided, That this Agreement shall not be extended beyond two (2) years unless Tri-State and Western have executed a facilities construction agreement and Tri-State has paid Western for the construction costs of Kersey West. 9. General Power Contract Provisions: The General Power Contract Provisions dated September 1, 2007, enclosed hereto, are hereby made a part of this Agreement the same as if they had been expressly set forth herein; Provided, That Provisions 2 through 5, 7 through 9, 11 through 13.2, 13.4, 15 through 19, 35 and 37.2 shall not be applicable hereunder; Provided further, That the word Contractor in the General Power Contract Provisions refers to Tri-State. • 6 If the above provisions are satisfactory, please sign and attest both originals of this Agreement, and return one original to the attention of Joymay Chipman at the letterhead address. Sincerel1y, d Bradley S. Warren Regional Manager Enclosures (2) IN DUPLICATE Lk: k: Accepted this /3 day of 4C h(7 i a tcf y 2012. TRI-STATE GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION ASSOCIATION, INC. • By: /< Witness: oel K. Bladow Title: Senior Vice President - rr / Transmission By:c">' �(A L(,'_,,,,t ti /L' Address: P.O. Box 33695 Title / - 71(6k/73/O1(, u� � � (z) G��t/ Denver, CO 80233 • <>p04, Weld County Public Works Dept. 3 < 1111 H Street ACCESS PERMIT ,0 ,s, Or Co P.O. Box 758 G IP Greeley, CO 80632 APPLICATION FORM et/C W�Q Phone: (970)304-6496 Fax: (970)304-6497 Applicant" Property Owner(If different than Applicant) Name ulUrle Ve-O(5 Name MUM PC -cc IOU I OW Company 1fl-5k-fl'ft C1O(1C(Q1tIC) lYQ(1SIM1SS \ Address Address I t('0 IN. HO Fh kit City State Zip CityY(g'(y11Y1tf7X State en Zip way Phone Business Phone E-o - ,Z'5t-I ",35'-1 Fax Fax /203- 7SLI - too l3 E-mail E-mail L 0(5@tri J-Q1YC1F . (M'(3 ♦= Existing Access 6=Proposed Access Parcel Location &Sketch The access is on WCR J Nearest Intersection:WCR 5k &WCR Su /co wcR sjy Distance from Intersection ."1 IMO( ilnnn �(� dairy '- Parcel Number Multiple, - SfC WO 1 r • fl Section/Township/Range '20 h 1261 / T S 1 (9II T c /C. — cr 3 etPrerbiCtc Is there an existing access to the property? IES NOQ N or ditch Number of Existing Accesses `4 DGQrclxr1 ak-y Road Surface Type&Construction,Information p Asphalt © Gravel © Treated S Other niri- wcR 50 Culvert Size &Type kJ/A - Cx 1 S1-icvq Materials used to construct Access Construction Start Date I) a Finish Date Z J Lj Proposed Use Temporary(Tracking Pad Required)/$75 ©Single Residential/$75 O Industrial/$150 O Small Commercial or Oil& Gas/$75 ©Large Commercial/$150 ©Subdivision/$150 ©Field (Agriculture Only)/Exempt Is this access associated with a Planning Process? ONo ty (15R ORE OPUD (Other f()L-t Required Attached Documents - Traffic Control Plan -Certificate of Insurance -Access Pictures (From the Left, Right, & into the access) By accepting this permit,the undersigned Applicant, under penalty of perjury,verifies that they have received all pages of the permit application;they have read and understand all of the permit requirements and provisions set forth on all pages;that they have the • authority to sign for apet bind the Applicant, if the Applicant is a corporation or other entity;and that by virtue of their signature the Applicant is bound by,and agrees to comply with all said permit requirements and provisions, all Weld County ordinances,and state law regarding facilities nstruct . /_ 2 / Sign ur EGG Printed Name Lan( Si9er?Y5 Date ; /iD/i.Z. Appendix E USR Questionnaire Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County 1041 Permit Application • Site-Specific Development Plan and Use by Special Review(USR) Questionnaire 1. Explain, in detail, the proposed use of the property. The proposed use of the property is described in the following sections of the Weld County 1041 Permit Application: Project Description, Introduction, Purpose and Need, and Proposed Action Sections. 2. Explain how this proposal is consistent with the intent of the Weld County Code, Chapter 22 of the Comprehensive Plan. The Weld County Code, Chapter 22, Comprehensive Plan, has been reviewed and the proposed transmission line is consistent with the intent of the Comprehensive Plan, including Land Use, Environmental Resources, and Natural Resources. The proposed transmission line is located in an area that is located in the Agriculture Zone. Although the transmission line is not an agricultural use, it is a land use that is commonly located in agricultural areas and does not conflict with the goals outlined in the • Comprehensive Plan. Careful site planning can be developed with only a localized loss of agricultural land quality. Ground disturbance is generally limited to the area immediately around the base of each pole. The construction of the proposed transmission line is not a catalyst that would cause additional non-agricultural land uses on adjacent land. Impacts to environmental resources such as air, water, waste, noise, and public health would be minimal and limited to the construction period (see Sections 21-3-330.B.5.g, 21-3-330.B.12, and 21-3-330.6.15). Mitigation practices described in Appendix B of this Weld County 1041 Application would be implemented to minimize impacts to environmental resources. Natural resources such as sensitive wildlife areas, recreation areas, and mineral and energy resources would not be impacted by the proposed Project. Efforts would be made to avoid all sensitive wildlife areas; impacts to and proposed mitigation for sensitive wildlife areas are described in the Wildlife and Critical Wildlife Habitat section and Appendix B of this Weld County 1041 Application. No parks, open space or recreation areas are located near the Project. A number of oil and gas wells and natural gas pipelines occur in the vicinity of the proposed transmission line. Detailed design of the transmission line will ensure that poles are located to avoid any impact on these facilities. • Appendix G—USR Questionnaire 1 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County 1041 Permit Application • 3. Explain how this proposal is consistent with the intent of the Weld County Code, Chapter 23 (Zoning) and the zone district in which it is located. The proposed transmission line is within the Agricultural Zone District. Major facilities of public utilities may be constructed, operated, and maintained in the Agricultural Zone District upon approval of a permit in accordance with the requirements and procedures set forth in Article II, Division 4 of Chapter 23 of the Weld County Code. Major facilities of a public utility are also subject to the provisions of section 23-4-420. This section of the code states that the applicant shall have the burden of proof to demonstrate that there is a need for the facility within the proposed area of service; this is discussed in the Purpose and Need section of this Weld County 1041 Application. 4. What types of uses surround the site (explain how the proposed use is consistent and compatible with surrounding land uses). Land to the north, south east, and west of the Project area is part of unincorporated Weld County and is zoned agricultural. The parcels over which the line will cross include an abandoned turkey production facility, on which a dairy is proposed, and irrigated and dry land farm ground. There are four houses that may be used to house employees of the proposed dairy. There are multiple oil and gas wells, oil tank batteries and collection lines on the properties as well. 5. Describe in detail, the following: • a. Number of people who will use the site No people would use this site, other than those performing routine maintenance and monitoring of the transmission line. b. Number of employees proposed to be employed at this site Construction crews could have up to 25 people during construction. The Project would generate infrequent trips to the transmission line during operations with the line being inspected annually and for occasional maintenance. See Section 21-3-330.B.7 of the Weld County 1041 Application for additional information. c. Hours of operation Not applicable. • 2 Appendix G—USR Questionnaire Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County 1041 Permit Application • d. Type and number of structures to be erected (built) on this site The new transmission line would be single circuit, 115-kV line constructed on single pole steel structures within a 100 ft right-of-way. The transmission line would consist of approximately 22-25 structures, with three conductors, and an optical ground wire for internal Tri-State communications. The temporary tap may consist of two or three wood pole structures. Total length of the transmission line is approximately two miles. e. Type and number of animals, if any, to be on this site No animals would be on this site in association with the transmission line. f. Kind of vehicles (type, size, weight) of vehicles that will access this site and how often Construction equipment and duration of construction is found in Tables 5 and 6 in Section 21-3-330.B.7 of the Weld County 1041 Application. g. Who will provide fire protection to the site The proposed Project is located in the Platte Valley Fire Protection District. All • applicable fire laws and regulations, as outlined in the Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) 31-16-601, would be observed during the construction period. Tri-State would advise construction personnel of their responsibilities under the applicable fire laws and regulations, including taking practical measures to report and suppress fires. h. Water source on the property(both domestic and irrigation) Potable water for construction crews would be provided by a potable water supplier. A constant domestic water supply will not be supplied for the site. Minimal quantities of water for construction dust suppression would be brought in by a water truck on an as-needed basis. There will be no permanent water supply at the proposed Project site. i. Sewage disposal system on the property(existing and proposed) Sanitary portable toilets with a regular cleaning service would be provided for the construction crew. There are no plans for a permanent sewage disposal system associated with the proposed Project. j. If storage or warehousing is proposed, what type of items will be stored There would be temporary storage of construction materials at the proposed Project site. Construction, operation, and maintenance activities would comply with all • applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations regarding the use of Appendix G—USR Questionnaire 3 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County 1041 Permit Application • hazardous substances. The only hazardous chemicals anticipated to be used on site are those found in diesel fuel, gasoline, coolant(ethylene glycol), and lubricants in machinery. Hazardous materials would not be drained onto the ground or into streams or drainage areas. In its contract with the construction contractor, Tri-State will specify that it will hold a required pre-construction meeting with the contractor to ensure that all applicable laws and Tri-State's procedures will be followed. Tri-State's Project Environmental Protection Measures for Construction Projects are attached as Appendix B of the Weld County 1041 Application. Enclosed containment would be provided for all trash. All construction waste, including trash and litter, garbage, other solid waste, petroleum products, and other potentially hazardous materials would be removed to a disposal facility authorized to accept such materials. 6. Explain the proposed landscaping for the site.The landscaping shall be separately submitted as a landscape plan map as part of the application submittal. No landscaping would be performed in association with the construction of the transmission line. 7. Explain any proposed reclamation procedures when termination of the Use by Special Review activity occurs. • Tri-State will exercise care to preserve the natural landscape and will conduct its construction operations so as to prevent any unnecessary destruction, scarring, or defacing of the natural surroundings in the vicinity of the work. Mitigation practices described in Appendix B of the Weld County 1041 Application shall be implemented to minimize impacts to environmental resources. Except where clearing is required for permanent works, approved construction roads, or excavation operations, all trees, native shrubbery, and vegetation shall be preserved and protected from damage by the construction operations and equipment. On completion of the work, all work areas except existing access roads and cultivated fields would be revegetated as soon as practical using a landowner approved seed mixture. Alternatively, in areas where mutually agreed to by Tri-State and landowner, the ground shall be scarified or left in a condition that would facilitate natural revegetation, provide for proper drainage, and prevent erosion. Site-specific revegetation measures would be developed after consultation with the landowner or land manager. All destruction, scarring, damage, or defacing of the landscape resulting from the contractor's operations shall be repaired by the contractor. Presently, Tri-State has no plans to decommission the Kersey West to South Kersey Transmission line. Therefore, formal reclamation procedures for termination of the Use by Special Review activity are not proposed. • 4 Appendix G—USR Questionnaire Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County 1041 Permit Application • 8. Explain how the stormwater drainage will be handled at the site. Because there would be no grading of the site, a drainage report would not be prepared as part of the application materials. The project would not create runoff in excess of previous levels and would not change existing topography or adversely affect drainage. There would be no alteration in the pattern or intensity of surface drainage as a result of construction and operation of the transmission line. 9. Explain how long it will take to construct this site and when construction and landscaping is scheduled to begin. Construction would begin in November, 2012 and be completed in late January/early February 2013. Reseeeding would be completed as soon as practicable after construction. 10. Explain where storage and/or stockpile of wastes will occur on this site. Materials would be temporarily stored in DCP's staging yard during construction, but there would be no stockpile of wastes on site. Dumpsters would be provided for construction waste and would be emptied on a regular • or as-needed basis. There will be no permanent storage or waste stockpiles on site. • Appendix G—USR Questionnaire 5 • Use by Special Review and 1041 Application Packet Weld County, Colorado Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Project February 2012 • Submitted by: QTRI—STATE Generation and Transmission Association,Inc. A T„d..,„nu HncrLV I 1x ra ivs • Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application • CONTENTS PROJECT DESCRIPTION (SATISFIES 21-3-330.C.1.A—G) 1 Introduction 1 Who is Tri-State? 1 Project Description 1 Purpose and Need 2 Alternatives to the Proposed Project 2 Transmission System Alternatives 2 Electrical System Alternatives Evaluated 2 Preferred System Alternative 2 Transmission Line Routing 2 Public Outreach 5 USE BY SPECIAL REVIEW APPLICATION CHAPTER 23, ARTICLE II, DIVISION 4 OF THE WELD COUNTY CODE 7 23-2-240. Design standards 7 23-2-250. Operation standards. 10 23-2-260. Application requirements. 11 AREAS AND ACTIVITIES OF STATE INTEREST -APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS 29 21-3-330 Application Submittal Requirements 29 21-3-330.A—Application Requirements for a Major Facility of a Public Utility 29 21-3-330.B-Submittal Requirements 29 21-3-330.6.1—Map Requirements 29 21-3-330.B.1.a—Name and Acreage of Proposed Use 29 • 21-3-330.B.1.b, d—Map Requirements 29 21-3-330.B.1.c—Applicants and Consultants 29 21-3-330.B.2—Title Information 29 21-3-330.B.2.a-Surface Property Owners 29 21-3-330.6.2.b--Access to the Project Area 30 21-3-330.B.2.c—Real Property Interests 30 21-3-330.B.2.d—Mineral Interests 31 21-3-330.B.3—Application Submittal Requirements 31 21-3-330.B.3.a—c—Map Requirements 31 21-3-330.6.3.d—Vicinity Map 31 21-3-330.B.4—Plot Plan 31 21-3-330.B.5—Other Information 31 21-3-330.8.5.a—Present Use and Zoning 31 21-3-330.B.5.b—d—Map Extent 37 21-3-330.B.5.e—Type of Facility 37 21-3-330.B.5.f—Projected Development Schedule 37 21-3-330.B.5.g—Hazards and Emergency Procedures 37 21-3-330.B.5.h—Name, Address, and Telephone of Applicant 45 21-3-330.B5.i—Name and Address of the Fee Owners of the Property 45 21-3-330.8.5.j—Legal Description of the Property under Consideration 45 21-3-330.6.5.k—Total Acreage of the Parcel, Right-of-Way or Corridor under Consideration 45 21-3-330.B.5.l—Existing Land Use 45 • 21-3-330.B.5.m—Existing Land Uses of All Properties Adjacent to Parcel 45 21-3-330.B.5.n—Present Zone and Overlay Zones 46 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application CONTENTS, CONTINUED 21-3-330.6.5.o-Signatures of the Applicant and Fee Owners or Their Authorized Legal Agent 46 21-3-330.6.6—Natural and Socioeconomic Environmental Constraints Affecting Site Selection and Construction 46 21-3-330.6.7—Natural and Socioeconomic Environmental Impacts from Construction of the Electric Transmission Line (satisfies 21-3-330.C.2.a) 49 Land Use 49 Socioeconomic Impacts (satisfies 21-3-330.C.2.g and 21-3-330.C.3.a) 50 Discussion of Impacts on Additional Resources Including Significant Environmentally Sensitive Factors (satisfies 21-3-330.C.2c and 21-3-330.C.2e) 51 Vegetation Including Marshlands and Wetlands 51 Wildlife and Critical Wildlife Habitat 51 Special Status Species 55 Unique Areas of Geologic, Historic, or Archaeological Importance 57 Vested Water Rights 57 21-3-330.6.8—Long-Term Effects upon Physical and Socioeconomic Development 57 21-3-330.6.9—Mitigation of Adverse Impacts and Maximization of Positive Impacts 57 21-3-330.6.10—Non-Structural Alternatives 57 21-3-330.6.11-Structural Alternatives 57 21-3-330.6.12—Air and Water Pollution Impacts and Control Alternatives 58 Air Pollution Impact and Control (satisfies 21-3-330.C.2.d) 58 Water Pollution Impacts and Control 58 21-3-330.6.13—Design Alternatives: Access, Landscaping, and Architecture 58 • 21-3-330.6.14—New or Upgraded Services 58 21-3-330.6.15—Hydrologic, Atmospheric, Geologic, Pedologic, Biotic, Visual, and Noise Impacts 58 Hydrologic 59 Geologic 59 Pedologic 59 Noise 65 Visual 65 21-3-330.6.16-Surface and Subsurface Drainage 65 21-3-330.6.17—Any Other Information Required by Planning Commission 65 REFERENCES 67 Appendix A Tri-State Position Statement on EMF Health Effects Appendix B Environmental Protection Measures for Construction Projects Appendix C Engineered Foundation Plan Appendix D NRCS Soils Report Appendix E USR Questionnaire Appendix F Public Comments _ c . 1)6- G1 b1- • Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 Opportunities and Constraints Analysis 3 Figure 2 Plot Plan 23 Figure 3 Typical Structure Type 25 Figure 4 Vicinity Map 27 Figure 5 Land Cover 33 Figure 6 Existing Land Use 35 Figure 7 Existing Transmission Lines of 115-kV or Greater Within 2 Miles of the Project Site 39 Figure 8 Magnetic Field Kersey West—South Kersey 115-kV Single-circuit Single Pole Delta Configuration 41 Figure 9 Water Resources 53 Figure 10 Soil Shrink/Swell Potential 61 Figure 11 Soil Erodibility 63 LIST OF TABLES Table 1 Transmission Line Characteristics 16 Table 2 Project Schedule 37 Table 3 Common Sources of Magnetic Fields 42 Table 4 Opportunities and Constraints Criteria 46 Table 5 Typical Construction Personnel and Equipment-Transmission Line 50 • Table 6 Weight of Construction Vehicles 50 Table 7 Threatened or Endangered Species in Weld County 55 Table 8 Soil Shrink/Swell Classes 59 Table 9 Soil Erodibility Classes 59 0 iii Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application • LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS APLIC Avian Power Line Interaction Committee APP Avian Protection Plan CPW Colorado Parks and Wildlife (formerly DOW) cu yd cubic yard DCP DCP Midstream, LP EMF electromagnetic fields kV kilovolt La Salle Facility La Salle Natural Gas Processing Facility lb pound mG milligauss NESC National Electrical Safety Code NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service PM10 particulate matter smaller than 10 micrometers in diameter Project Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line PVREA Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association Tri-State Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association Inc. USDOI U.S. Department of the Interior USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Western Western Area Power Administration • • v Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application • Purpose and Need DCP is planning to build the La Salle Natural Gas Processing Facility near County Roads 51 and 50. DCP received approval from the Weld County Board of County Commissioners on October 12, 2011 for the La Salle Natural Gas Processing Facility(La Salle Facility)and the South Kersey Substation (to be constructed by Tri-State), which will be located on the same property(Docket#2011-64, PL2132). The approved gas plant will be electrically powered and the proposed Project is needed to power the natural gas processing facility. The anticipated in-service date for the project is February, 2013. In order to supply power to the gas processing facility by this date, the temporary tap discussed above will be required. Alternatives to the Proposed Project Transmission System Alternatives Electrical System Alternatives Evaluated Two electrical system alternatives were evaluated to address the need of the Project. Alternative 1: No Action Taking no action would result in no power delivery to the South Kersey Substation and the La Salle Gas Processing Facility. Without electricity, the processing facility would have to be supplied with natural gas. The No Action Alternative does not meet the need of the Project. • Alternative 2: Construct a transmission line connection from the Kersey West Switching Station to the South Kersey Substation Alternative 2 would involve the construction of approximately two (2) miles of 115-kV transmission line between the Kersey West Switching Station and the South Kersey Substation, located at the La Salle Gas Processing Facility. A temporary tap would be required at Western's Kersey-Rosedale 115-kV transmission line until the Kersey West Switching Station can be constructed by Western. Alternative 2 would provide the necessary power to operate the new gas processing facility within the required timeframe, as requested by DCP. Preferred System Alternative The preferred system alternative is Alternative 2. Alternative 2 meets the Project's purpose and need and provides a cost-effective, secure, and reliable source of power for the La Salle Gas Processing Facility. Transmission Line Routing An opportunities and constraints analysis was completed for the study area (Figure 1)to help determine potential routes for the project. • 2 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application PROJECT DESCRIPTION (SATISFIES 21-3-330.C.1.A--G) • Introduction This document is submitted in support of the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association Inc. (Tri-State) request for review of the proposed Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line (Project)with service to Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association (PVREA) under the provisions of the Weld County 1041 process. This submittal includes the purpose and need and description of the proposed Project, which is situated on privately owned property in Weld County. Who is Tri-State? Electric cooperatives are private, Tri-State is a wholesale electric power supplier owned by the 44 electric cooperatives that it serves. not-for-profit utilities owned and Tri-State generates and transports electricity to its governed by the members they member systems throughout a 250,000-square-mile serve. Electric cooperatives service territory across Colorado, Nebraska, New bridge the vast expanse of rural Mexico, and Wyoming. Tri-State was founded in 1952 and today supplies power for approximately America to energize residences, 1.4 million consumers in the four states. Tri-State farms, ranches, businesses, and serves its member systems through a combination of communities that have organized owned base load, intermediate, and peaking power cooperatively and accept the plants that use coal and natural gas as their primary responsibility for delivering safe, fuels, supplemented by purchased power, federal • hydroelectricity allocations, and renewable energy. affordable, and reliable power. Protect Description Tri-State is proposing to build a new 115-kilovolt(kV) transmission line to serve DCP Midstream, LP's (DCP's) new gas processing plant, the La Salle Natural Gas Processing Facility at the new South Kersey Substation. The Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV transmission line will provide the necessary power to operate the gas plant, which will be powered electrically. The line will ultimately transmit electrical power from Western Area Power Administration's (Western's) Kersey West Switching Station (located at the corner of County Roads 54 and 51)to Tri-State's South Kersey Substation, located at the La Salle Gas Processing Facility(located west of County Road 51 and 'A mile north of County Road 50). Until Western can complete the Kersey West Switching Station, a temporary tap will be built to connect the Project to the Kersey-Rosedale 115-kV Transmission line, owned and operated by Western. The temporary tap would consist of a transmission structure with jumpers installed on the north side of County Road 54. The temporary tap will only be needed for approximately 7 months until the Kersey West Switching Station is completed. At that time, the temporary structure will be removed and the new transmission line will be connected to the switching station. The new transmission line will be single pole construction using steel structures. • 1 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application • Figure 1 Opportunities and Constraints Analysis • • 3 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application • Three (3) routes were determined to be feasible based on the analysis. In addition, three (3) switching station locations were examined for the Kersey West Switching Station (to be constructed by Western). A transmission line route alternative was associated with each one of these switching station locations. Alternative A: Alternative A is the preferred transmission line route alternative. The Kersey West Switching Station would be located at the southwest corner of the intersection of County Roads 54 and 51. The transmission line would then exit the Kersey West Switching Station and proceed south along the west side of County Road 51 before turning west into the South Kersey Substation. Alternative A was selected as the preferred alternative after land use, natural resources, and public input were taken into account. Alternative A is the most direct route to deliver power to the Kersey West Substation and impacts the fewest number of landowners. Access is superior as the entire route is adjacent to an existing county road. It also does not impact wetland areas or any sensitive resources. Alternative B: In Alternative B, the Kersey West Switching Station would be located at the southeast corner of County Roads 54 and 49. The transmission line would run south along the east side of County Road 49 and then proceed east into the South Kersey Substation. Alternative B impacted the greatest number of residences (10) and was further constrained by the presence of four oil and gas wells along the route. It was also the longest alternative with 2.8 miles of transmission line. Based on discussions with the new dairy farm owner, the proposed plan is to locate the cows on the western side of the property making Alternative B unfavorable to the new landowner. Alternative C: Alternative C is located 1/2 mile east of Alternative A. The transmission line would proceed south along west side of the half-section line of Section 20. The line would then head west to the west side of County Road 51 and south into the South Kersey Substation. Alternative C impacted the greatest number of parcels out of the three alternatives. It was also constrained by the presence of wetlands and ponds along the northern portion of the route. Alternative C also was longer than the preferred alternative, with 2.5 miles of transmission line. Alternative C presented the most access problems, with less than half of the line accessible by county road. Public Outreach On October 28, 2011, Tri-State mailed a letter to all landowners within the study area explaining the Project and the purpose that it would serve. The letter identified the Western transmission line that the Project would come off of and the DCP compressor station site, and explained that the proposed transmission line must connect the two. Recipients were provided with contact information and were invited to call Tri-State with comments or questions about the Project, as well as input regarding potential routes for the transmission line. Tri-State staff spoke with each individual who called. • As the preferred route was identified, Tri-State staff reached out individually to the landowners whose property would be impacted by that route. Tri-State continues to work with 5 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application those landowners to minimize and mitigate impacts to their properties. A second letter was • mailed to all landowners within the study area, informing them of the selection of a preferred route and the two alternatives, and again requested input. • 6 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application • USE BY SPECIAL REVIEW APPLICATION CHAPTER 23, ARTICLE II, DIVISION 4 OF THE WELD COUNTY CODE 23-2-240. Design standards. A. An applicant for a Use by Special Review shall demonstrate compliance with the following design standards in the application and shall continue to meet these standards if approved for DEVELOPMENT. 1. Adequate water service in terms of quality, quantity and dependability is available to the site to serve the USES permitted. Not applicable. The use being permitted is a 115-kV single-circuit transmission line. 2. Adequate sewer service is available to the site to serve the USES permitted. Not applicable. The use being permitted is a 115-kV single-circuit transmission line. 3. If soil conditions on the site are such that they present moderate or severe limitations to the construction of STRUCTURES or facilities proposed for the site, the applicant has demonstrated how much limitations can and will be mitigated. • Not applicable. All of the soils in the Project area have low shrink/swell potential. There are no soils inside the Project area that have moderate, high, or very high shrink/swell potential. See Section 21-3-330.8.15—Hydrologic, Atmospheric, Geologic, Pedologic, Biotic, Visual, and Noise Impacts. 4. Adequate fire protection measures are available on the site for the STRUCTURES and facilities permitted. The proposed transmission line is designed with overhead ground wires and grounded towers to protect the system from becoming damaged by lightning. See Section 21-3-330.8.5.g—Hazards and Emergency Procedures for additional fire protection measures. 5. USES shall comply with the following stormwater management standards: a. Stormwater retention facilities shall be provided on site, which are designed to retain the stormwater runoff from the fully developed site from a one-hundred- year storm or as otherwise required by the Department of Public Works. In the case of a LIVESTOCK CONFINEMENT OPERATION (L.C.O.), wastewater collection, conveyance and retention facilities shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the Confined Animal Feeding Operation Control Regulations (5 CCR 1002-19). • Construction of the Project would not create runoff in excess of previous site levels and would not change existing topography or adversely affect drainage. 7 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application There would be no alteration in the pattern or intensity of surface drainage as a • result of construction or operation of the interconnection facility. A range of measures to ensure that the Project does not impact water quality is listed in Appendix 8, and prior to construction, a Storm Water Permit for Construction Activities would be acquired from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, if required. See Sections 21-3-330.8.12—Air and Water Pollution Impacts and Control Alternatives, Air Pollution Impact and Control, and 21-3-330.8.16-Surface and Subsurface Drainage. b. The drainage facilities shall be designed to release the retained water at a quantity and rate not to exceed the quantity and rate of a five-year storm falling on the UNDEVELOPED site. Construction of the Project would not create runoff in excess of previous site levels and would not change existing topography or adversely affect drainage. There would be no alteration in the pattern or intensity of surface drainage as a result of construction or operation of the transmission line. No drainage retention facilities are proposed for the Project. 6. All parking and vehicle storage shall be provided on the site; parking shall not be permitted within any public right-of-way. An adequate parking area shall be provided to meet the parking needs of employees, company vehicles, visitors and customers. Right-of-way agreements include 100-foot easements purchased from landowners • along the transmission alignment. Only a small portion of the transmission line right- of-way would be disturbed for structure installation and vehicle access. No new roads are needed to gain access to sites where the poles would be erected. See Section 21-3-330.8.2.b—Access to the Project Area. During construction, all vehicles would be parked within DCP's existing parking site (located at the LaSalle Gas Processing Facility), and no parking areas would be constructed. See Section 21-3-330.8.7—Natural and Socioeconomic Environmental Impacts from Construction of the Electric Transmission Line. 7. The USE shall comply with all the SETBACK and OFFSET requirements of the zone district. This Project is located within the A (Agricultural) Zone District. The minimum setback is 20 feet, and the minimum offset is 3 feet, or 1 foot for each 3 feet of building height, as defined in Section 23-3-50 of the Weld County Code. This Project complies with the setback and offset requirements, as shown in Figure 2. • 8 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application • 8. The access shall be located and designed to be safe; ingress and egress shall not present a safety hazard to the traveling public or to the vehicle accessing the property. For USES generating high traffic volumes and large number of large, slow- accelerating vehicles, acceleration and deceleration lanes may be required to mitigate a potential traffic hazard. No adverse effects on county roads are anticipated. Tri-State would work with the Weld County Public Works Department to determine the appropriate construction method to access the construction area. All mobile construction equipment would be certified to operate on Interstate highways. There may be short periods of time when traffic would be halted on Weld County Roads 51 and 54 to allow construction vehicles to enter and exit the construction area. No improvements to roads in Weld County would be required. See Section 21-3-330.8.7—Natural and Socioeconomic Environmental Impacts from Construction of the Electric Transmission Line. 9. New accesses to public rights-of-way shall be constructed using the following as minimum standards: a. Size of drainage structure—twelve (12) inches in diameter. b. Length of drainage structure—twenty(20)feet. c. Depth of cover over pipe—twelve (12) inches. d. Width of access—fifteen (15)feet. • e. Maximum grade of access—fifteen percent (15%). f. Flare radius—twenty(20)feet. g. Depth of surfacing—four (4) inches. Standards exceeding these minimums may be required depending on the type and volume of vehicles generated by the type of USE proposed. Not applicable. Right-of-way agreements include 100-foot easements purchased from landowners along the transmission alignment. Only a small portion of the transmission line right-of-way would be disturbed for structure installation and vehicle access. No new roads are needed to gain access to sites where the poles would be erected. 10. Buffering or SCREENING of the proposed USE from ADJACENT properties may be required in order to make the determination that the proposed USE is compatible with the surrounding uses. Buffering or SCREENING may be accomplished through a combination of berming, landscaping and fencing. Not applicable. The proposed Project is a linear transmission line facility. • 9 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application 11. Uses by Special Review in the A (Agricultural) Zone District shall be located on the • least prime soils on the property in question unless the applicant can demonstrate why such a location would be impractical or infeasible. None of the soils within the Project area are prime soils. See Section 21-3-330.6.15—Hydrologic, Atmospheric, Geologic, Pedologic, Biotic, Visual, and Noise Impacts. B. If the Special Review Permit for a MAJOR FACILITY OF A PUBLIC UTILITY OR PUBLIC AGENCY is approved, the Planning Commission shall arrange for the Department of Planning Services to record the appropriate Facilities Plan, Utility Line or Selected Route Map with the County Clerk and Recorder. (Weld County Codification Ordinance 2000-1) Noted. 23-2-250. Operation standards. An applicant for a Special Review Permit shall demonstrate conformance with the following operation standards in the Special Review Permit application to the extent that the standards affect location, layout and design of the Use by Special Review prior to construction and operation. Once operational, the operation of the USES permitted shall conform to these standards. A. The operation of the USES shall comply with the noise standards enumerated in Section • 25-12-101, C.R.S. The Project would be constructed and maintained in accordance with Colorado Revised Statutes 25-12-101 et seq. (Noise Abatement) and Article IX, Section 14-9-10 et seq. of the Weld County Code. See Section 21-3-330.8.15—Hydrologic, Atmospheric, Geologic, Pedologic, Biotic, Visual, and Noise Impacts. B. The operation of the USES shall comply with the air quality regulations promulgated by the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission. Construction of the Project is not expected to contribute to the air quality status in the area. There would be no long-term air quality effects associated with routine operation and maintenance of the proposed transmission line. See Section 21-3-330.8.12—Air and Water Pollution Impacts and Control Alternatives, Air Pollution Impact and Control. C. The operation of the USES shall comply with the water quality regulations promulgated by the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission. There would be no direct impacts to water quality associated with the regular operation or maintenance of the transmission line. See Section 21-3-330.8.12—Air and Water Pollution Impacts and Control Alternatives, Air Pollution Impact and Control. D. The USES shall comply with the following lighting standards: • 10 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application • 1. Sources of light, including light from high-temperature processes such as combustion or welding, shall be shielded so that light rays will not shine directly onto ADJACENT properties where such would cause a nuisance or interfere with the USE on the ADJACENT properties; and No lighting would be required for transmission line structures. 2. Neither direct nor reflected light from any light source may create a traffic hazard to operators of motor vehicles on PUBLIC or private STREETS and no colored lights may be used which may be confused with or construed as traffic control devices. No lighting would be required for transmission line structures. E. The USES shall not emit heat so as to raise the temperature of the air more than five degrees (5°) Fahrenheit at or beyond the LOT line. The proposed transmission line would not raise the temperature of the air more than five (5`) degrees Fahrenheit at or beyond the lot line. See Section 21-3-330.8.5.g— Hazards and Emergency Procedures. F. Property shall be maintained in such a manner that grasses and weeds are not permitted to grow taller than twelve (12) inches. In no event shall the property owner allow the • growth of NOXIOUS WEEDS. Tri-State's Environmental Protection Measures for Construction Projects (Appendix B) contains a description of revegetation and noxious weed control. G. Any off-site and on-site improvements agreement shall be made in conformance with the County policy on collateral for improvements. (Weld County Codification Ordinance 2000-1; Weld County Code Ordinance 2007-1) Not applicable. 23-2-260. Application requirements. A. The purpose of the application is to give the petitioner an opportunity to demonstrate through written and graphic information how the proposal complies with the standards of this Chapter. The following supporting documents shall be submitted as a part of the application except for those items determined by the Director of Planning Services, in writing, or the Board of County Commissioners, on the record, to be unnecessary to a decision on the application: 1. A statement which explains that the proposal is consistent with Chapter 22 of this Code and any other applicable code provision or ordinance in effect. • The Weld County Code, Chapter 22, Comprehensive Plan, has been reviewed and the proposed transmission line is consistent with the intent of the Comprehensive Plan, including Land Use, Environmental Resources, and Natural Resources. See 11 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application Section 21-3-330.8.7—Natural and Socioeconomic Environmental Impacts from • Construction of the Electric Transmission Line. 2. A statement which explains that the proposal is consistent with the intent of the district in which the USE is located. The Project area is located within the Agricultural Zone District. Major facilities of public utilities are uses that are allowed within the Agricultural Zone District. See Section 21-3-330.8.5.a—Present Use and Zoning. 3. A statement which explains that the USES which would be permitted will be compatible with the existing surrounding land USES. Land to the north, east, and west of the Project area is part of unincorporated Weld County and is zoned agricultural. The parcel located in Section 30 was recently purchased for a new dairy. The land located in NE% of Section 31 is agricultural with center-pivot irrigation. The SE% of Section 31 is owned by DCP and would be the location of the new La Salle Gas Processing Facility. This Project would be compatible with the existing surrounding land uses. See Section 21-3-330.8.5.m— Existing Land Uses of All Properties Adjacent to Parcel. There is an existing 115-kV transmission line crossing the northern boundary of the Project area. The same types of uses described above exist near and under the existing line. 4. A statement which explains that the USES which would be permitted will be • compatible with the future DEVELOPMENT of the surrounding area as permitted by the existing zone and with future DEVELOPMENT as projected by Chapter 22 of this Code and any other applicable code provision or ordinances in effect, or the adopted MASTER PLANS of affected municipalities. This use is consistent with the future development of the surrounding area as permitted by the existing zoning and as projected by Chapter 22 of this Code. See Section 21-3-330.8.5.a—Present Use and Zoning. 5. A statement which explains that the application complies with Article V of this Chapter if the proposal is located within any Overlay District Area identified by maps officially adopted by the COUNTY. Not applicable. The Project area is not within an Overlay District Area, as defined in Article V. 6. A statement which explains that if the USE is proposed to be located in the A (Agricultural)Zone District, the applicant has demonstrated a diligent effort has been made to conserve prime agricultural land in the locational decision for the proposed USE. None of the Project area is within prime agricultural land. Structures would be sited to • minimize impact to the center-pivot irrigation located in the northeast quarter of 12 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application • Section 31.See Section 21-3-330.8.15—Hydrologic, Atmospheric, Geologic, Pedologic, Biotic, Visual, and Noise Impacts. 7. A statement which explains that there is adequate provision for the protection of the health, safety and welfare of the inhabitants of the NEIGHBORHOOD and the COUNTY. All Tri-State electric facilities are designed, constructed, operated, and maintained to meet or exceed all applicable standards of design and performance set forth in the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC 2012). Health and safety concerns associated with the Project, therefore, would be limited largely to electromagnetic fields(EMF) from the transmission line. For the purposes of this study, EMF was modeled as a function of predicted magnetic field levels, based on typical and peak loads, from the proposed transmission line. See Section 21-3-330.8.5.g—Hazards and Emergency Procedures. B. The following general information shall be submitted: 1. Name, address and telephone number of the applicants. See Section 21-3-330.8.1.c—Applicants and Consultants. • 2. Name and address of the fee owners of the property proposed for the Use by Special Review if different from above. See Section 21-3-330.85.i—Name and Address of the Fee Owners of the Property. 3. Legal description of the property under consideration. See Section 21-3-330.8.5.j—Legal Description of the Property under Consideration. 4. Total acreage of the parcel under consideration. See Section 21-3-330.8.5.k—Total Acreage of the Parcel, Right-of-Way or Corridor under Consideration. 5. Existing land USE of the parcel under consideration. See Section 21-3-330.8.5.1—Existing Land Use. 6. Existing land USES of all properties ADJACENT to said parcel. See Section 21-3-330.8.5.m—Existing Land Uses of All Properties Adjacent to Parcel. • 7. Present zone and overlay zones, if appropriate. See Section 21-3-330.8.5.n—Present Zone and Overlay Zones. 13 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application 8. Signatures of the applicant and fee owners or their authorized legal agent. • See Section 21-3-330.8.5.o-Signatures of the Applicant and Fee Owners or Their Authorized Legal Agent. 9. A certified list of the names, addresses and the corresponding Parcel Identification Numbers assigned by the County Assessor of the owners of property(the surface estate)within five hundred (500)feet of the property subject to the application. The source of such list shall be the records of the County Assessor, or an ownership update from a title or abstract company or attorney derived from such records, or from the records of the County Clerk and Recorder. If the list was assembled from the records of the County Assessor, the applicant shall certify that such list was assembled within thirty(30) days of the application submission date. See Section 21-3-330.8.2.a-Surface Property Owners. 10. The written certification required by Section 24-65.5-103.3, C.R.S., if applicable. Such certification may be submitted on the date of the initial public hearing referred to in Section 24-65.5-103(1), C.R.S. To date, no written certification is applicable. 11. The applicant shall provide the Department of Planning Services with a certificate from the County Treasurer showing no delinquent taxes for the parcel area. Not applicable. 12. Proposed LANDSCAPE plans. A formal landscape plan is not provided, as no landscaping would be done along the transmission line. Areas disturbed during construction of the Project would be reseeded in coordination with the landowners and their current land use. 13. The applicant shall submit to the Department of Planning Services a copy of an agreement with the mineral owners associated with the subject property. Such agreement shall stipulate that the oil and gas activities on the subject property have been adequately incorporated into the design of the site, OR shall provide written evidence that an adequate attempt has been made to mitigate the concerns of the mineral owners on the subject property. Not applicable. See Section 21-3-330.8.2.d—Mineral Interests. 14. The applicant shall submit signed copy of the notice of inquiry form demonstrating that the IGA municipality does not wish to annex if required by the IGA. Not applicable. • 14 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application • 15. A proposed plan for installation of desired signs following the standards set forth in Chapter 23, Article IV, Division 2. No new signage is planned. C. A detailed description of the proposed operation and USE shall be supplied. Details for the following items, when applicable, are required: 1. Type of USE for which the application is being made. See Section 21-3-330.8.1.a—Name and Acreage of Proposed Use. 2. Proximity of the proposed USE to residential STRUCTURES. There are seven (7)residences near the propose transmission line. Two (2) residences on the east side of County Road 51 would be within 500 feet of the proposed transmission line. One (1) residence on the east side of County Road 51 would be within 1,000 feet of the proposed transmission line. Four(4)residences occur on the west side of County Road 51 adjacent to the proposed transmission line. These four residences occur on the parcel of land that was recently purchased for a dairy. It is unclear if the developer will subdivide these parcels or if the residences will be removed. In any case, all four houses would be well outside the • proposed easement, and the separation between the line and the houses would be similar to the distances between the existing the 115-kV transmission line and houses adjacent to it. See Section 21-3-330.8.5.m—Existing Land Uses of All Properties Adjacent to Parcel. 3. The number of shifts to be worked and the maximum number of employees. One 12-hour shift per day would be worked during construction; the site would be monitored remotely during operation. The maximum number of construction workers at any one time would be approximately 25. See Section 21-3-330.8.7—Natural and Socioeconomic Environmental Impacts from Construction of the Electric Transmission Line. 4. The maximum number of users, patrons, members, buyers or other visitors that the use by special review facility is designed to accommodate at any one (1)time. Not applicable. 5. Types and maximum numbers of animals to be concentrated on the site at any one (1)time. Not applicable. There would be no animals on the site as part of this Project. • 15 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application 6. Types and numbers of operating and processing equipment to be utilized. • The new 2-mile transmission line would consist of approximately 22-25 structures (Table 1, Figure 3,). The structures would be single pole steel structures spaced approximately 450-650 feet apart. The transmission line would have three conductors and an overhead optical ground wire for internal Tri-State communications. Transmission poles would be direct embedded in soil, except at changes in direction of the line. At these locations, the poles would be installed on reinforced concrete foundations, approximately 5-7 feet in diameter and 20-30 feet deep. See the Project Description for additional information. Table 1 Transmission Line Characteristics Voltage 115-kV _ Total Length 2 miles _ Rig ht-of-Way Width 100 feet Span Between Structures: Typical Range 450-650 feet Number of Structures per Mile: With Typical Range 7 to17 Height of Structures: Typical 70 feet above ground Height of Structures: Typical Range 65 to 90 feet above ground _ Minimum Ground Clearance Beneath Conductor 24 feet Minimum Ground Clearance Beneath Conductor 24 feet Over Roads Circuit Configuration Vertical "delta" • Conductor Type and Size (circular mils in inches) 795 kcmil, 26/7, ACSR, "Drake" 48 fiber optical ground wire, Shieldwire Type and Size (inches) approximately 0.6 inch in diameter 7. Type, number and USES of the proposed STRUCTURES to be erected. Approximately 22-25 single pole steel transmission line structures would be used to transmit electricity over the 115-kV transmission line. See the Project Description for additional information. 8. Type, size, weight and frequency of vehicular traffic and access routes that will be utilized. See Section 21-3-330.8.7—Natural and Socioeconomic Environmental Impacts from Construction of the Electric Transmission Line. 9. Domestic sewage facilities. Not applicable. 10. Size of stockpile, storage or waste areas to be utilized. Enclosed containment would be provided for all trash. All construction waste, • including trash and litter, garbage, other solid waste, petroleum products, and other potentially hazardous materials would be removed from the site and transported to a 16 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application • disposal facility authorized to accept such materials. There would be no significant amount of hazardous materials stored in the Project area. See Section 21-3-330.8.5.g—Hazards and Emergency Procedures. 11. Method and time schedule of removal or disposal of debris, JUNK and other wastes associated with the proposed USE. Enclosed containment would be provided for all trash. All construction waste, including trash and litter, garbage, other solid waste, petroleum products, and other potentially hazardous materials would be removed from the site and transported to a disposal facility authorized to accept such materials. See Section 21-3-330.8.5.g— Hazards and Emergency Procedures. 12. A time table showing the periods of time required for the construction of the operation. See Section 21-3-330.8.5.f—Projected Development Schedule. 13. Proposed LANDSCAPE plans. A formal landscape plan is not provided, as no landscaping would be done along the transmission line. Areas disturbed during construction of the Project would be • reseeded in coordination with the landowners and their current land use. 14. Reclamation procedures to be employed as stages of the operation are phased out or upon cessation of the Use by Special Review activity. Tri-State's Environmental Protection Measures for Construction Projects, included as Appendix B, addresses site reclamation of disturbed areas. 15. A statement delineating the need for the proposed USE. As described in the Purpose and Need section, Tri-State is required to deliver electrical power to the La Salle Gas Processing Facility in order for it to operate. 16. A description of the proposed fire protection measures. As discussed in Section 21-3-330.8.5.g—Hazards and Emergency Procedures, the conductors are supported by insulators mounted on grounded poles to prevent arcing (which could start a fire). Tri-State prohibits storage of flammables, construction of flammable structures, and other activities that have the potential to cause or provide fuel for fires on its easements and rights-of-way. There are no explosive substances associated with the proposed transmission line. All Tri-State electric facilities are designed, constructed, operated, and maintained to meet or exceed all applicable standards of design and performance set forth in the National Electrical Safety Code. • The proposed line is designed with overhead ground wires and grounded towers to keep the system from becoming damaged by lightning. 17 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application 17. Such additional information as may be required by the Department of Planning • Services, the Planning Commission or the Board of County Commissioners in order to determine that the application meets the requirements of this Chapter and the policies of Chapter 22 of this Code. See Section 21-3-330.8.17. D. Special Review Permit Plan Map. 1. The map shall be delineated on reproducible material approved by the Department of Planning Services. Noted. 2. The dimensions of the map shall be thirty-six (36) inches wide by twenty-four(24) inches high. Noted. See Plot Plan (Figure 2) and Vicinity Map (Figure 4). 3. The Special Review Permit Plan Map shall include certificates for the property owner's signature, the Planning Commission, the Board of County Commissioners and the Clerk to the Board. The required content of the certificates is available from the Department of Planning Services. • Noted. See Plot Plan (Figure 2) and Vicinity Map (Figure 4). 4. Vicinity Map. A vicinity map shall be drawn on the Use by Special Review Permit Plan Map. a. The scale of the vicinity map shall be one(1) inch equals two thousand (2,000) feet or at another suitable scale if approved by the Department of Planning Services. The scale of the vicinity map is 1 inch = 700 feet. See Vicinity Map (Figure 4). b. The vicinity map shall delineate all of the required information within a one-half ('/z) mile radius of the property proposed for the Use by Special Review. c. The following information shall be shown on the vicinity map: 1) Section, Township and range. Noted. See Vicinity Map (Figure 4). 2) Scale and north arrow. Noted. See Vicinity Map (Figure 4). . 18 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application . 3) Outline of the perimeter of the parcel proposed for the Use by Special Review. Noted. See Vicinity Map (Figure 4). 4) The general classifications and distribution of soils over the parcel under consideration. Soil classification names and agricultural capability classifications must be noted in the legend. Noted. See Vicinity Map (Figure 4). 5) Locations and names of all roads, irrigation ditches and water features. Noted. See Vicinity Map (Figure 4). 6) Location of all residences within a one-half-mile radius, existing and proposed accesses to the property proposed for the Use by Special Review, any abutting subdivision outlines and names, and the boundaries of any ADJACENT municipality. Noted. See Vicinity Map (Figure 4). • 7) Any other relevant information within a one-half-mile distance of the perimeter property proposed for the Use by Special Review as may be reasonably required by the COUNTY to meet the intent and purpose of this Chapter.5. Plot Plan. A plot plan of the Use by Special Review area shall be drawn on the Special Review Permit Plan Map. a. The scale of the plot plan shall be one inch (1")equals one hundred feet (100') or at another suitable scale if approved by the Department of Planning Services. Noted. See Plot Plan (Figure 2). b. The plot plan shall outline the Boundaries of the parcel being considered for the Use by Special Review. Noted. See Plot Plan (Figure 2). c. The plot plan shall include the location and identification of all of the following items which exist within a two-hundred-foot radius of the boundaries of the Use by Special Review area, as well as within the area itself; it shall also include the proposed features and STRUCTURES of the Use by Special Review: • 1) All public rights-of-way of record (including names). 2) All existing and proposed STRUCTURES. 19 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application 3) All utility easements or rights-of-way for telephone, gas, electric, • water and sewer lines. 4) Irrigation ditches. 5) Adjacent property lines and respective owners' names (may be shown on vicinity map instead). 6) All hydrographic features including streams, rivers, ponds and reservoirs (including names). 7) Topography at two-foot contour intervals or at intervals as determined necessary by the Department of Planning Services. 8) Location of areas of moderate or severe soil limitations as defined by the Natural Resources Conservation Service or by a soil survey and study prepared by a soils engineer or scientist for the USES and associated STRUCTURES proposed for the parcel. 9) Location and design of stormwater management devices or STRUCTURES. 10) Complete traffic circulation and parking plan showing locations and • sizes. 11) Location, amount, size and type of any proposed LANDSCAPE material, including fencing, walls, berms or other SCREENING. 12) Location of any flood hazard, GEOLOGIC HAZARD or mineral resource areas. 13) The location of any sign requiring zoning approval. Distances from property lines shall be indicated. 14) Such additional information as may be reasonably required by the Department of Planning Services, the Planning Commission or the Board of County Commissioners in order to determine that the application meets the requirements of this Chapter, the policies of Chapter 22 of this Code and any other applicable code provision or ordinance in effect. All requirements noted. See Plot Plan (Figure 2). E. Supporting Documents. The following supporting documents shall be submitted as part of the application: • 20 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application • 1. Where an authorized legal agent signs the application for the fee owners, a letter granting power of attorney to the agent from the owners must be provided. Not applicable. 2. Proof that a water supply will be available which is adequate in terms of quantity, quality and dependability(e.g., a well permit or letter from a water district). Not applicable. 3. Copy of the deed or legal instrument by which the applicant obtained an interest in the property under consideration. Easements would be secured prior to construction. 4. A noise report, unless waived by the Department of Planning Services, documenting the methods to be utilized to meet the applicable noise standard. Not applicable. 5. A soil report of the site prepared by the Natural Resource Conservation Service or by a soils engineer or scientist. In those instances when the soil report indicates the • existence of moderate or severe soil limitations for the USES proposed, the applicant shall detail the methods to be employed to mitigate the limitations. See Appendix D. 6. If applicable, an Improvements Agreement executed by the applicant. This agreement shall be in accordance with the County policy and documents for collateral for improvements. Not applicable. 7. For a RESIDENTIAL THERAPEUTIC CENTER, submittal of a report demonstrating the need for the facility; data about the background, experience and financial capacity of the proposed operator; applicable licenses; and analysis of the impact of the facility to the area and any other information relevant to evaluating the compatibility of the proposed facility. The County may waive or modify these requirements, particularly if there is a risk of harm to the future occupants (e.g., case of a domestic violence shelter). Not applicable. • 21 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application . Figure 2 Plot Plan • 23 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application A O co O co m • m V Figure 3 Typical Structure Type • 25 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application • Figure 4 Vicinity Map • • 27 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application • AREAS AND ACTIVITIES OF STATE INTEREST - APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS 21-3-330 Application Submittal Requirements 21-3-330.A—Application Requirements for a Major Facility of a Public Utility These application submittal requirements apply to this application for a development permit for a major facility of a public utility: a 2-mile 115-kV single-circuit transmission line. 21-3-330.B-Submittal Requirements 21-3-330.8.1—Map Requirements 21-3-330.B.1.a—Name and Acreage of Proposed Use The proposed use (Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line) is a 2-mile-long single-circuit 115-kV transmission line that would connect the Kersey West Switching Station to the South Kersey Substation (see Figure 4). The surface area for the newly constructed transmission line and right-of-way would total approximately 24 acres. 21-3-330.B.1.b, d—Map Requirements • All map requirements, including scale as approved by Weld County, have been met. 21-3-330.B.1.c—Applicants and Consultants Applicant: Engineers: Tri-State Generation and Transmission Civil Engineer, Transmission Line Attention: Laurie Spears Tri-State Generation and Transmission Address: 1100 W. 116th Ave. Address: 1100 W. 116th Ave. Westminster, CO 80234 Westminster, CO 80234 Phone Number: 303-254-3597 Attention: Roland Smith Phone Number: 303-254-3415 Surveyor Brian Kruse Westwood Professional Services Phone Number: (612) 363-0991 21-3-330.8.2—Title Information 21-3-330.6.2.a-Surface Property Owners The names and addresses of all owners of surface property within 500 feet of the centerline of the proposed corridor are as follows: • 29 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application • Tammy S. Schneider and 26233 CR 51, Greeley, CO William P. Schneider 80631 Larry and Janet Miller 25596 CR 54 '1/2, Kersey, CO 80644 Kimzey Casin Service LLC 5151 San Felipe, Suite 450, Houston, TX 77056 do AgProfessionals, Attention Mel Flaschenriem Tim Naylor, 4350 Highway 66, Longmont, CO 80504 Highland Properties 1411 LLC 1707 North Main Street, Longmont, CO 80501 Beverly D. Ybarra and Elias 25714 CR51, Kersey, CO Ybarra 80644 Miller HFI LLC Karen Sue Miller 10614 State Hwy 66, Platteville, CO 80651 Israel Guevara and Isabel 25478 CR 51, Greeley, CO Garcia 80631 Ali and Scott McGregor 25116 CR 51, Greeley, CO 80631 do Wilburt Schmier 3824 • Margaret, Wilburt and Raymond Schmier Tumbleweed Drive, Evans, CO 80620 Thistle Down Inc. 24500 CR 49, Greeley, CO 80631 DCP Midstream LP 370 17th Street, Denver, CO 80202 21-3-330.B.2.b—Access to the Project Area Right-of-way agreements include 100-foot easements purchased from landowners along the transmission alignment. Tri-State would acquire easements for the transmission line prior to construction. Only a small portion of the transmission line right-of-way would be disturbed for structure installation and vehicle access. No new roads would be needed to gain access to sites where the poles would be erected. 21-3-330.B.2.c—Real Property Interests The names and addresses of all owners of surface property or holders of interest of property that would be physically disturbed or crossed by the Project were obtained from the Weld County Assessor's Office and are presented below: • 30 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application • c/o AgProfessionals, Attention Mel Flaschenriem Tim Naylor,4350 Highway 66, 096330100050 Longmont, CO 80504 Highland 1707 North Main Street, Properties 1411 096330100050 Longmont, CO 80501 LLC Thistle Down Inc. 24500 CR 49, Greeley, CO 80631 096331100042 DCP Midstream LP 370 17th Street, Denver, CO 096331400011 80202 FRICO 80 S 27th Ave, Brighton, CO N/A 80601 21-3-330.B.2.d—Mineral Interests The Mineral Interests requirement is not applicable to electric transmission line projects per Section 21-3-330.B.2.d. 21-3-330.8.3—Application Submittal Requirements 21-3-330.B.3.a—c—Map Requirements • Figure 4, the vicinity map, will be provided to Weld County in a reproducible format. This map includes a vicinity view of the Kersey West Switching Station, the new transmission line, and the South Kersey Substation on one sheet at a scale of 1:700. The permit map is consistent with the requirements of Section 21-3-330.6.3 and the relevant subsections thereof. 21-3-330.B.3.d—Vicinity Map The vicinity map is provided in Figure 4. 21-3-330.6.4—Plot Plan A plot plan for the Project is provided and is shown in Figure 2 at a scale of 1:522. 21-3-330.8.5—Other Information 21-3-330.6.5.a—Present Use and Zoning The Project area is zoned agricultural. This zoning is intended to provide areas for the conduct of agricultural activities and activities related to agriculture and agricultural production without interference of other incompatible land uses. Land use in the Project vicinity is primarily agricultural. Land cover in the Project area is primarily grassland and herbaceous vegetation (Figure 5). Existing land use is presented in Figure 6. • 31 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application • Figure 5 Land Cover • • 33 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application • 21-3-330.B.5.b—d—Map Extent Figure 7 illustrates all existing transmission lines of 115-kV or greater within two miles of the Project site. 21-3-330.B.5.e—Type of Facility The Project would involve constructing approximately two (2) miles of new 115-kV transmission line between the Kersey West Switching Station and the South Kersey Substation. Western would construct the Kersey West Switching Station. Tri-State would construct the South Kersey Substation, which was approved by the Weld County Board of County Commissioners on October 12, 2011 (Docket no. 2011-64, PL2131). The new transmission line would be a single-circuit, 115-kV line constructed on single pole steel structures within a 100 foot right-of-way. The transmission line would consist of approximately 22-25 structures, with three conductors, and an optical ground wire for internal Tri-State communications. The temporary tap may consist of two or three wood pole structures. The new 115-kV transmission line would provide the required electricity to power the new LaSalle Gas Processing Facility, located adjacent to the South Kersey Substation. 21-3-330.6.5,f—Projected Development Schedule A project schedule is presented in Table 2. • Table 2 Project Schedule Easement Acquisition April-May 2012 Weld County Permit Granted May 2012 Order Materials Spring 2012 Construction Begins November 2012 In Service February 2013 _ 21-3-330.B.5.g—Hazards and Emergency Procedures The purpose of the proposed transmission line facilities is to conduct electricity. The greatest danger from a transmission line is direct contact with electrical conductors. Accordingly, extreme caution must be exercised when operating vehicles and equipment near the Project. The conductors are supported by insulators mounted on grounded poles to prevent arcing (which could start a fire). Tri-State prohibits storage of flammables, construction of flammable structures, and other activities that have the potential to cause or provide fuel for fires on its easements and rights-of-way. There are no explosive substances associated with the proposed transmission line. All Tri-State electric facilities are designed, constructed, operated, and maintained to meet or exceed all applicable standards of design and performance set forth in the NESC (NESC 2012). Post-construction, the proposed transmission line would be unmanned and controlled remotely by Tri-State. Transmission line poles and conductors occasionally may be hit by lightning; therefore, the area near towers and other tall objects (e.g., trees) should be avoided during thunderstorms. The proposed line is designed with overhead ground wires and grounded towers to protect the system from becoming damaged by lightning. • 37 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application • Figure 7 Existing Transmission Lines of 115-kV or Greater Within 2 Miles of the Project Site • • 39 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application • Health and safety concerns associated with the Project, therefore, would be limited largely to EMF from the transmission line. Electric fields are caused by voltage on an object, such as the voltage on conductors connected to an energized substation. Magnetic fields are produced when an electrical current flows through a conductor. EMF extends outward from transmission line conductors and decreases rapidly with distance from the transmission line. The concept of prudent avoidance was considered in the siting and proposed construction, and operation of this facility; therefore, the transmission line corridor is in a sparsely developed area. For the purposes of this study, EMF was modeled as a function of predicted magnetic field levels, based on maximum load, from the proposed transmission line. Figure 8 shows expected levels of EMF for the proposed 115-kV single-circuit transmission line. The graph indicates that under typical operating loads, magnetic fields beneath the transmission line would be approximately 14.76 milligauss (mG)and approximately 2.71 mG at the left edge of the right-of-way and 3.51mG at the right edge of the right-of-way. These levels are similar to magnetic fields generated by common household appliances, power tools, and office equipment(Table 3). 16 I _ I 14 I I 12 I I 10 • E 1 I 8 L I I 6 IL I V I I 4 2 0 -100-90-80-70-60-50-40-30-20-10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Distance from Transmission Lines(ft) Figure 8 Magnetic Field Kersey West—South Kersey 115-kV Single-circuit Single Pole Delta Configuration • 41 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application Table 3 Common Sources of Magnetic Fields i Sources of Magnetic Fields(mG)* Distance from source Distance from source 6" 1' 2' 4' 6" 1' 2' 4' Office Sources Workshop Sources AIR CLEANERS BATTERY CHARGERS Lowest 110 20 3 - Lowest 3 2 - - Median 180 35 5 1 Median 30 3 - - Highest 250 50 8 2 Highest 50 4 - - COPY MACHINES DRILLS Lowest 4 2 1 - Lowest 100 20 3 - Median 90 20 7 1 Median 150 30 4 - Highest 200 40 13 4 Highest 200 40 6 - FAX MACHINES POWER SAWS Lowest 4 - - - Lowest 50 9 1 - Median 6 - - - Median 200 40 5 - Highest 9 2 - - Highest 1000 300 40 4 FLUORESCENT LIGHTS ELECTRIC SCREWDRIVERS(while charging) _ Lowest 20 - - - Lowest - - - - Median 40 6 2 - Median - - - - Highest 100 30 8 4 Highest - - - - ELECTRIC PENCIL SHARPENERS Lowest 20 8 5 — Distance from source Median 200 70 20 2 V 2' 4' • Highest 300 90 30 30 Living/Family Room Sources VIDEO DISPLAY TERMINALS(see page 48) CEILING FANS (PCs with color monitors)** Lowest - - - Lowest 7 2 1 - Median 3 - - Median 14 5 2 - Highest 50 6 1 Highest 20 6 3 - WINDOW AIR CONDITIONERS ___ Lowest - - - Bathroom Sources Median 3 1 HAIR DRYERS Highest 20 6 4 Lowest 1 - - - COLOR TELEVISIONS** Median 300 1 --- Highest 700 70 10 1 Lowest - - - Median 7 2 ELECTRIC SHAVERS Highest 20 8 4 Lowest 4 - - - Median 100 20 - - Highest 600 100 10 1 • 42 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application • Table 3 Common Sources of Magnetic Fields, continued Sources of Magnetic Fields(mG)* Distance from source Distance from source 6" V 2' 4' 6" 1' 2' 4' Kitchen Sources Kitchen Sources BLENDERS ELECTRIC OVENS Lowest 30 5 - - Lowest 4 1 - - Median 70 10 2 - Median 9 4 - - Highest 100 20 3 — Highest 20 5 1 — CAN OPENERS ELECTRIC RANGES Lowest 500 40 3 — Lowest 20 — — — Median 600 150 20 2 Median 30 8 2 — Highest 1500 300 30 4 Highest 200 30 9 6 COFFEE MAKERS REFRIGERATORS Lowest 4 - - - Lowest - - - - Median 7 - - - Median 2 2 1 - Highest 10 1 — — Highest 40 20 10 10 DISHWASHERS TOASTERS Lowest 10 6 2 - Lowest 5 - - - Median 20 10 4 — Median 10 3 — — Highest 100 30 7 1 Highest 20 7 — — FOOD PROCESSORS Lowest 20 5 - - Bedroom Sources • Median 30 6 2 - DIGITAL CLOCK**** Highest 130 20 3 GARBAGE DISPOSALS Median 1 - - Lowest - - - Lowest 60 8 1 — Median 80 10 2 — High 8 2 1 Highest 100 20 3 - ANALOG CLOCKS MICROWAVE OVENS*** (conventional clockface)**** Lowest 100 1 1 - Lowest 1 - - Median 200 4 10 2 Median 15 2 — Highest 300 200 30 20 Highest 30 5 3 MIXERS BABY MONITOR (unit nearest child) Lowest 30 5 - - Lowest 4 - - - Median 100 10 1 — Median 6 1 — — Highest 600 100 10 — Highest 15 2 — - • 43 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application Table 3 Common Sources of Magnetic Fields, continued • Sources of Magnetic Fields(mG)* Distance from source Distance from source 6" 1' 2' 4' 6" V 2' 4' Laundry/Utility Sources Laundry/Utility Sources ELECTRIC CLOTHES DRYERS PORTABLE HEATERS Lowest 2 — — — Lowest 5 1 — Median 3 2 — — Median 100 20 4 — Highest 10 3 — — Highest 150 40 8 1 WASHING MACHINES VACUUM CLEANERS Lowest 4 1 — — Lowest 100 20 4 — Median 20 7 1 — Median 300 60 10 1 Highest 100 30 6 — Highest 700 200 SO 10 IRONS SEWING MACHINES Lowest 6 1 — — Home sewing machines can produce magnetic fields Median 8 1 — — of 12 mG at chest level and 5 mG at head level. Highest 20 3 — — Magnetic fields as high as 35 mG at chest level and 215 mG at knee level have been measured from industrial sewing machine models(Sobel, 19941. Source: EMF In Your Environment,U.S.Environmental Protection Agency, 1992. * Dash(—)means that the magnetic field at this distance from the operating appliance could not be distinguished from background measurements taken before the appliance had been turned on. ** Some appliances produce both 60-Hz and higher frequency fields.For example,televisions and computer screens produce fields at 10,000-30,000 Hz(10-30 kHz)as well as 60-Hz fields. ** Microwave ovens produce 60-Hz fields of several hundred milligauss, but they also create microwave energy • inside the appliance that is at a much higher frequency(about 2.45 billion hertz).We are shielded from the higher frequency fields but not from the 60-Hz fields. **** Most digital clocks have low magnetic fields.In some analog clocks,however,higher magnetic fields are produced by the motor that drives the hands.In the above table,the clocks are electrically powered using alternating current, as are all the appliances described in these tables. Source: National Institutes of Health 2002 The Colorado Public Utilities Commission requires public utilities to weigh potential health effects and the cost of mitigating those effects by using alignments that"limit exposures [of electric and magnetic fields] to areas of concentrated population and group facilities such as schools and hospitals" (4 Code of Colorado Regulations. 723-3-18(i)(2)) "or by burying transmission lines." This Project maintains suitable distances from such areas. Numerous scientific studies have been conducted to better understand whether there is a possibility that EMF causes disease. The consensus of scientists familiar with these studies is that no significant risk to humans from long-term exposure to EMF has been established. Tri-State remains sensitive to the EMF issue and responds promptly and accurately to inquiries with currently available information. As corporate policy, Tri-State has adopted programs to ensure that its electric facilities are designed, constructed, and operated to minimize, to the extent prudent and practicable, the level of EMF that is created. Tri-State's position statement on EMF health effects is included as Appendix A. Environmental Hazards Enclosed containment would be provided for all trash. All construction waste, including trash and litter, garbage, other solid waste, petroleum products, and other potentially hazardous materials would be removed from the site and transported to a disposal facility authorized to accept such materials. There would be no significant amount of hazardous materials stored in • the Project area. 44 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application • Construction, operation, and maintenance activities would comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations regarding the use of hazardous substances. The only hazardous chemicals expected to be used on site are those found in diesel fuel, gasoline, coolant (ethylene glycol), and lubricants in machinery. Hazardous materials would not be drained onto the ground or into streams or drainage areas. In its contract with the construction contractor, Tri-State would specify that it will hold a required pre-construction meeting with the contractor to ensure all applicable laws and Tri-State's procedures would be followed. Tri-State's Project Environmental Protection Measures for Construction Projects are attached as Appendix B. Although the transmission line would be inspected annually, emergencies may occur. If there were an issue, appropriate field crews and engineering personnel would be notified by telephone or radio and they would undertake the required procedures to correct the problem and restore facilities to normal operations. 21-3-330.B.5.h—Name, Address, and Telephone of Applicant Tri-State Generation and Transmission Attention: Laurie Spears Address: 1100 West 116th Ave., Westminster, CO 80234 Phone Number: 303-254-3597 21-3-330.B5.i—Name and Address of the Fee Owners of the Property The fee owners are as listed in section 21-3-330.B.5.h of this application. • 21-3-330.B.5.j—Legal Description of the Property under Consideration The east 100 feet of Section 30, Township 5 N, Range 64 W of the 6th P.M. and the east 100 feet of the of the north half and the north half of the south half of Section 31, Township 5 N, Range 64 W of the 6th P.M., Weld County, Colorado. This legal description is approximate and would be replaced by the final legal description following completion of land survey work for the project. 21-3-330.6.5.k—Total Acreage of the Parcel, Right-of-Way or Corridor under Consideration The surface area for the newly constructed transmission line and right-of-way on both private land and land owned by Tri-State would total approximately 24 acres. 21-3-330.8.5.1—Existing Land Use The Project would take place on private land. Land uses near the Project area include agricultural production, electric transmission, oil and gas production and storage, as well as residential uses. 21-3-330.B.5.m—Existing Land Uses of All Properties Adjacent to Parcel Land to the north, south, east, and west of the Project area is part of unincorporated Weld County and is zoned agricultural. The parcels that would be crossed by the line include an abandoned turkey production facility, on which a dairy is proposed, and irrigated and dry land farmland. There are four houses that may be used to house employees of the proposed • dairy. There are multiple oil and gas wells, oil tank batteries, and collection lines on the properties as well. 45 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application 21-3-330.B.5.n—Present Zone and Overlay Zones • The current zoning in the Project area is agricultural. The Project site is not situated within the boundaries of a 100-year or 500-year floodplain (Federal Emergency Management Agency 1997). There are no Code of Federal Regulations Part 77 restrictions (objects affecting navigable airspace) within the Project area. The Project would not affect navigable airspace. 21-3-330.B.5.o-Signatures of the Applicant and Fee Owners or Their Authorized Legal Agent See USR Questionnaire. 21-3-330.8.6—Natural and Socioeconomic Environmental Constraints Affecting Site Selection and Construction An opportunities and constraints analysis was performed for the Project study area. The opportunities and constraints criteria are provided in Table 4. Table 4 Opportunities and Constraints Criteria Existing Utility and-Transportation Corridors Existing Parallel to existing Transmission lines Distribution lines of transmission lines transmission line with short spans of any voltages or (69-kV and above) corridor less 400 feet overhead telephone lines; parallel to lines in areas that have • small parcels and where ROW will utilize too much of the parcel Roads (interstate, Within 0.25 mile Overhang of lines Structures within road state, county) over ROW or ROW; exclude blowout of highway interchanges conductor over ROW Pipelines Major pipeline Pipelines crossing Using any portion of corridors, especially cultivated property the pipeline ROW for where no cultivation at a diagonal the transmission line activities occur and the land features are open or have sparse habitation Land Use Agriculture Rangeland or Prime farmland, Pivot or other cropland, where farmland of mechanical irrigation compatible statewide footprint; crossing importance cultivated lands at a diagonal Industrial or Within 100 feet of commercial commercial or industrial buildings Communications Within 150 feet of Within 50 feet of FCC • towers FCC structure structure 46 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application • Table 4 Opportunities and Constraints Criteria, continued Oil/gas wells Within 150 feet of required setback Occupied Within 500 feet Within ROW residences _ Irrigation wells Wells within line Placement of wells easements directly under lines causing well maintenance issues Airports and private Placement of landing strips structures outside or within FAA-prescribed boundaries described in 14 CFR 77 Water and Natural& Cultural Resources Wetlands Within boundary Surface waters Using existing Within 0.125 mile Within 100 feet of corridors where they of perennial perennial streams cross surface waters streams and lakes and lakes Canals, excluding Within 100 feet of Overhang over Within boundary of lateral ditches canal canals that historic canal interfere with canal maintenance • practices. Raptors Within 0.75 mile of Within 0.5 mile of active Bald Eagle active Bald Eagle or or Golden Eagle Golden Eagle nests nest or winter or roosting sites; concentration within 0.25 mile of area; within other active nests for 0.5 mile of active other raptors nests for other raptors Habitat for sensitive, Within known Within critical habitat threatened, or occupied habitat for threatened or endangered species endangered species National Register Within 0.125 mile Within 100 feet historic sites Recorded Within 250 feet Within 50 feet prehistoric/historic sites Engineering Concerns Unsuitable soils Rock, collapsing Slopes with sliding or highly erodible potential soils, areas with high water table • 47 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application Table 4 Opportunities and Constraints Criteria, continued • Access Use available roads, or Water crossings; if Development of cross-country access possible, using access that leads to with minimal new railroad ROW for major cutting, filling, access development; access culvert installation, multiple existing etc. (more of an issue access points; ability to in mountainous travel along ROW terrain) Number of line Long stretches of High number of Multiple consecutive angles relatively straight large angles or angle structures alignment dead end structures Parallel lines Lines having longer Lines with short Lines of 69-kV or average spans of 600 spans of less than lower feet or greater 400 feet Crossings Multiple highway or interstate crossings; multiple crossing of existing transmission lines CFR=Code of Federal Regulations FAA=Federal Aviation Administration FCC=Federal Communications Commission ROW=right-of-way The opportunities and constraints analysis yielded three possible alternatives for the transmission line. The three alternatives were then compared based on the following: • Number of residences within 100 and 500 feet • Number of oil and gas wells within 150 feet • Number of parcels crossed • Number of canal crossings • Number of center pivots crossed • Number of communication towers within 100 feet • Length of transmission line • Length of wetlands crossed (based on National Wetlands Inventory) • Length of transmission line adjacent to county roads Several categories such as habitat for threatened and endangered species, historic sites, and raptor nests were not found within the Project area and were, therefore, not included in the comparative analysis. There also are no socioeconomic constraints associated with the Project. Based on the comparative analysis and public input(discussed in the Transmission Line Routing section), the preferred route down County Road 51 was selected. The preferred route minimizes impacts to natural resources and current land use. • 48 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application • 21-3-330.6.7—Natural and Socioeconomic Environmental Impacts from Construction of the Electric Transmission Line (satisfies 21-3-330.C.2.a) Land Use Land use along the proposed transmission line route would be minimally impacted and would continue to include farmland and the proposed dairy. Agricultural productivity would be minimally impacted as a result of the Project. The Project would span the center pivot located in Section 31. The Project is located on the opposite side of Section 30 from where the dairy plans to keep its cows. The Weld County Code, Chapter 22, Comprehensive Plan, has been reviewed and the proposed transmission line is consistent with the intent of the Comprehensive Plan, including land use, environmental resources, and natural resources. The proposed transmission line would be located in an area that is zoned agricultural. Although the transmission line is not an agricultural use, it is a land use commonly located in agricultural areas and does not conflict with the goals outlined in the Comprehensive Plan. Careful site planning would be developed with only a localized loss of agricultural land quality. Ground disturbance generally would be limited to an area of approximately 625 square feet around each pole. Construction of the proposed transmission line is not a catalyst that would cause additional non-agricultural land uses on adjacent land. The long- term presence of the 115-kV Western transmission line and continued agricultural uses in the same area provide an example of the complementary nature of the two uses. • Transportation Impacts (satisfies 21-3-330.C.2.g) Approximately 25 construction workers would be employed during the course of the approximately 3-month construction period. The maximum number of construction workers at any one time would be approximately 10. Table 5 lists the personnel and equipment for each phase of construction. Table 6 lists the weight of construction vehicles. The Project would generate infrequent trips to the transmission line during operation; the line would be inspected annually and occasionally for maintenance. No adverse effects on county roads are anticipated. Tri-State would work with the Weld County Public Works Department to determine the appropriate construction method to access the construction area. All mobile construction equipment would be certified to operate on Interstate highways. There may be short periods of time when traffic would be halted on County Road 51 and 54 to allow construction vehicles to enter and exit the construction area. No improvements to roads in Weld County would be required. • 49 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application Table 5 Typical Construction Personnel and Equipment-Transmission Line • 1 pressure digger 2-3 concrete trucks Foundations 4 2-3 pickup trucks 3-5 weeks 1 tractor/trailer 1 material truck 1 backhoe 420 1 bucket truck Structure Assembly 1 boom truck 8 1 front-end loader 4 weeks and Erection 3 pickup trucks 4 tractor/trailers 1 flatbed truck Wire Installation 5 2 pickup trucks 4 weeks 1 drum puller/tensioner Cleanup 5 1 bobcat 1 week 3-4 pickups Total 4-8 N/A 12 weeks Table 6 Weight of Construction Vehicles Pickup Truck 7,000 • Bucket Truck 60,000 Boom Truck 47,000 Pressure Digger 33,000 Front-end Loader 43,000 Backhoe 420 15,000 Concrete Truck (with 10 cubic yard load) 66,000 Tractor Trailer 80,000 Bobcat 4,200 Material Truck 7,000 Drum Puller/Tensioner 4,500 empty/20,600 with reel Socioeconomic Impacts (satisfies 21-3-330.C.2.g and 21-3-330.C.3.a) The community nearest to the Project area is the town of Kersey located approximately 1.5 miles to the northeast. According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2010), the 2010 population of Kersey was approximately 1,400. It is anticipated that the Project would have a small beneficial impact to the local economy. Construction contractors, regardless of origin, would likely spend money in the town of Kersey for fuel, food, or other supplies. During the construction period, the local economy may see a small influx of dollars and a small increase in sales tax revenue. The footprints of the proposed structures would be the only land removed from current use. Land between the transmission structures would remain available for farming, grazing, or other operations that do not interfere with safe and reliable operation of the transmission line. The Project area is located within District 1 of the Weld County Sheriff's Department and is • within the jurisdiction of the Platte Valley Fire Protection District. Public roads are maintained 50 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application • by the Weld County Department of Public Works. The nearest hospital is the Medical Center of the Rockies, located in Loveland. None of these services is expected to be affected, unless emergency situations occur. There are no adverse socioeconomic impacts associated with the Project. The Project would not cause any residents or businesses to be displaced. The Project would generate additional tax revenue for Weld County. This Project is not inconsistent with the Economic Development Goals and Policies described in the Weld County Comprehensive Plan (Weld County 2008). Discussion of Impacts on Additional Resources Including Significant Environmentally Sensitive Factors (satisfies 21-3-330.C.2c and 21-3-330.C.2e) Vegetation Including Marshlands and Wetlands The vicinity of the Project site is characterized by agricultural uses, primarily farming and ranching. The surrounding vegetation communities can be characterized as disturbed grassland. Permanent removal of vegetation would occur at structure sites. Construction would occur in an area that has been previously disturbed, and impacts to native vegetation communities are expected to be minimal. Access would be overland in nature and minimal vegetation would be disturbed in access routes. Gilmore Ditch crosses under the Project at the southern end of Section 30. The ditch would be spanned by the transmission line so no impacts would occur. Neither wetlands nor wetland vegetation was observed in association with the ditch. Figure 9 presents a map of water resources within two miles of the Project site. • Impacts to wetlands and water resources would not occur from the Project. The Project would not impact hydrologic flow of surface water or groundwater, nor would it affect groundwater recharge. Wildlife and Critical Wildlife Habitat Given the established use of the site and the surrounding agricultural use, the area is unlikely to support quality habitat for many species. Common wildlife such as coyote, fox, skunk, rabbits, and various birds are likely to be present in the area and are expected to occasionally pass through the site, but the site is not likely to support nesting or denning habitat for most species. Only minimal impacts to wildlife are expected to occur, and these would likely be limited to temporary disturbance from construction activities. To preclude avian electrocutions and minimize collision risk, Tri-State would incorporate Avian Protection Plan (APP) standards developed by the Avian Power Line Interaction Committee (APLIC 2006)and the APP guidelines (APLIC and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [USFWS] 2005)to protect birds on power lines, as well as NESC-specified electric conductor clearances. • 51 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application • Figure 9 Water Resources • • 53 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application • Special Status Species Threatened or endangered species that occur in Weld County are listed in Table 7. Table 7 Threatened or Endangered Species in Weld County Birds Mexican Spotted Strix occidentalis Threatened Threatened Owl lucida Least Tern Sternula antillarum Endangered Endangered Piping Plover Charadrius melodus Threatened Threatened Whooping Crane Grus americana Endangered Endangered Western Burrowing Athene cunicularia Threatened Owl Bald Eagle Haliaeetus Special Concern g leucocephalus Plains Sharp-tailed Tympanuchus Endangered Grouse phasianellus jamesii Mammals Black-footed Ferret Mustela nigripes Endangered Endangered Preble's Meadow Zapus hudsonius Threatened Threatened Jumping Mouse preblei Plants Colorado Butterfly Gaura neomexicana Threatened Plant spp. coloradensis • Ute Ladies'-tresses Spiranthes diluvialis Threatened orchid Source: USFWS 2012 The USFWS list of federally threatened or endangered species includes six wildlife species and two plant species in Weld County: the Mexican Spotted Owl, Least Tern, Piping Plover, Whooping Crane, black-footed ferret, Preble's meadow jumping mouse, Colorado butterfly plant, and Ute ladies'-tresses orchid. The Mexican Spotted Owl is known to occur in the southwestern U.S. with the main populations inhabiting Arizona and New Mexico. The Mexican Spotted Owl prefers canyon habitat consisting of mixed-conifer, pine-oak, and riparian forest. This habitat is not present in the Project area. Therefore, Mexican Spotted Owls are unlikely to be impacted by the Project. The Least Tern and Piping Plover are typically found near water. Terns are fish eaters and prefer to nest on sandy or pebbly beaches around lakes and reservoirs, or on sandbars consisting of sandy soils in river channels. Piping Plovers feed on a variety of beach-dwelling invertebrates and nest on sandy lakeshore beaches, sandbars within riverbeds, or even sandy wetland pastures. Given the lack of water and the intense agricultural land use, these two species are not expected to occur in the Project area. The Whooping Crane is a rare North American bird with the largest population migrating between the Arkansas National Wildlife Refuge and the Wood Buffalo National Park. This population uses the Central Flyway to migrate across Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and eastern Montana. Whooping cranes are listed by the USFWS for Weld County as a potentially impacted species due the potential depletion of the Platte River Basin. The USFWS considers projects with less than 0.1 acre-foot per year of depletion to be de minimis exceptions for water-related activities in the Platte River Basin. • The proposed Project may use water for dust abatement activities during construction; however, water use will be below the de minimis threshold for depletion. No impacts to whooping cranes are anticipated for this Project. 55 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application The black-footed ferret is the rarest mammal in North America; there are no surviving wild, • unmanaged populations. This animal is an obligate predator of prairie dogs and, as a general rule, cannot survive in the absence of large prairie dog colonies. There are two populations of black-footed ferrets in Colorado (both re-introduced): one west of Rangely near the Utah border, and one southeast of Dinosaur National Monument(Colorado Parks and Wildlife [CPW] 2011). Re-introduced ferrets in Wyoming are located in Shirley Basin, between Medicine Bow and Casper(Wyoming Game and Fish Department 2011). No black-tailed prairie dog colonies were located near the Project area. Prairie dog colonies were not observed in the vicinity of the Project site during surveys; therefore, the black-footed ferret would not be impacted by the Project. The Preble's meadow jumping mouse is a federally threatened species in Colorado. This species inhabits riparian areas and adjacent uplands. Preferred riparian habitat includes mixed vegetation types where dense herbaceous or woody vegetation occurs near the ground level and where available open water exists during their active season. Presence of this species along the proposed route is highly unlikely. There is no suitable habitat or designated critical habitat for Preble's meadow jumping mouse in or near the Project site, therefore, no impacts to the species are expected. The Ute ladies'-tresses orchid and Colorado butterfly plant are federally threatened plant species associated with floodplains and wet meadows. The Project site does not support suitable habitat, therefore, the Project would not impact these species. In addition to federally listed species, state-listed species that could occur in or near the Project area include the Western Burrowing Owl and Plains Sharp-tailed Grouse. The Western Burrowing Owl is a state-threatened species and could occur in the Project • area. In northeastern Colorado, burrowing owls are typically associated with prairie dog colonies. Burrowing owls can excavate their own burrows, but they usually depend on burrows that have been started by colonially burrowing mammals, especially ground squirrels and prairie dogs. Prairie dog colonies were not observed in the vicinity of the Project site; therefore, the western burrowing owl is not expected to be impacted by the Project. The Plains Sharp-tailed Grouse is listed as endangered in Colorado. The bird formerly nested over much of the northern two-thirds of the eastern prairie, but the present population consists of only a few hundred birds in Douglas County(CPW 2010). The Bald Eagle was removed from listing as threatened under the Endangered Species Act on June 28, 2007, but has federal protection under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The Bald Eagle is also a species of state special concern in Colorado, although this designation is not a statutory category. Bald Eagles are found throughout the continuous U.S. and Alaska, particularly in areas with large expanses of aquatic habitat. Bald Eagles inhabit areas near reservoirs and rivers. In Colorado, mature cottonwood groves found along streams and rivers are typically used as Bald Eagle nesting and roosting habitat. Bald Eagles nest in Colorado from early February through the middle of August. Wintering areas are commonly associated with open water or where other food sources (e.g., rabbits, deer, carrion) are readily available. The proposed transmission line is approximately 1.8 miles from the nearest known Bald Eagle nesting site, which is located southwest of the Project near Latham Reservoir. According to the National Bald Eagle Management guidelines and CPW, no surface disturbance should occur within 0.5 mile of an active nest site from November 15 through July 31, and no construction may occur at any time within 0.25 mile of Bald Eagle nest sites. • Due to the distance to the nearest Bald Eagle nest, project construction activities are not likely to disturb nesting Bald Eagles should construction occur during the nesting season. 56 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application • The National Bald Eagle Management Plan Guidelines also provide direction to protect Bald Eagle roosting and communal roosting sites. Bald Eagles roost in Colorado from November 15 through March 15. The same buffers apply to roosting sites as outlined above for nesting sites. The nearest communal roost site is 15 miles southwest of the Project site and the nearest roosting site is approximately 3.5 miles southwest of the Project site. The Project would not impact roost or communal roost sites. Bald Eagle winter forage and winter range have been mapped approximately 2 miles north and 3 miles southwest of the Project area. The Project would not affect Bald Eagle winter forage or winter concentration habitat. Unique Areas of Geologic, Historic, or Archaeological Importance Tri-State performed a Class I archaeological database search of the Project area. Thirteen previously recorded sites were found in the Project area. All of the sites are north of the preferred alternative and would not be impacted by the Project. Vested Water Rights The Project would have no impacts on vested water rights. Construction water and water to suppress dust during construction activities would be trucked into the site. 21-3-330.8.8—Long-Term Effects upon Physical and Socioeconomic Development The proposed Project would not have any adverse effects on physical or socioeconomic development of the area. • 21-3-330.8.9—Mitigation of Adverse Impacts and Maximization of Positive Impacts Efforts would be made so the contour of the land and natural drainage patterns along the right-of-way are not disturbed. If land contours and drainage patterns are disturbed, efforts would be made to restore any negative effects. Because Weld County has a semi-arid climate, revegetation can be difficult. As a result, disturbances to land surrounding the construction area would be minimized. All practical efforts would be made to re-establish native vegetation in the disturbed area. Tri-State's Environmental Protection Measures for Construction Projects, included as Appendix B, addresses site reclamation of disturbed areas. Tri-State would continue to coordinate with CPW to develop appropriate mitigation measures that are compatible with Project goals and that would minimize impacts to wildlife along the transmission line. 21-3-330.8.10—Non-Structural Alternatives There are no non-structural alternatives that would accomplish the purpose and need for the transmission line and overall Project. If the Project is not constructed, Tri-State would be required to seek other locations to construct adequate facilities to accomplish the Project goals. 21-3-330.8.11-Structural Alternatives • Two alternatives were considered in addition to the preferred alternative. These alternatives are discussed in more detail in the Alternatives to the Proposed Project section. 57 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application 21-3-33O.B.12—Air and Water Pollution Impacts and Control Alternatives • Air Pollution Impact and Control (satisfies 21-3-330.C.2.d) Construction would last approximately three months. Construction activities associated with the proposed transmission line would generate less than significant amounts of particulate matter from soil disturbances and diesel-powered equipment, and less than significant amounts of carbon monoxide and the precursor pollutants to ozone formation from tailpipe emissions. Any air pollutants generated would be widely dispersed across the Project area, short term in duration, and minimized by the small scale of construction operations for excavating foundations and placing single pole transmission structures. Air pollutants also would be minimized through implementation of dust suppression and proper vehicle maintenance. Therefore, Project construction is not expected to contribute to the air quality status in the area. There would be no long-term air quality effects associated with routine operation and maintenance of the proposed transmission line. Once construction activities have been completed, but before vegetation has been re-established, some minor amount of additional dust could occur. The generation of dust would be monitored by Tri-State, and the appropriate action would be taken to control the dust and ensure that potential wind erosion is minimized. Weld County is an attainment area for all measured pollutants, including particulate matter smaller than 10 micrometers in diameter(PM1o). The proposed Project is an overhead electric transmission line. No air emissions would result from operation of the transmission line. Water Pollution Impacts and Control • There would be no direct impacts to water quality associated with regular operation or maintenance of the transmission line. The Project would not create runoff in excess of historic levels and would not change existing topography or adversely affect drainage. There would be no alteration in the pattern or intensity of surface drainage as a result of construction or operation of the transmission line. 21-3-330.B.13—Design Alternatives: Access, Landscaping, and Architecture Access to the Project construction area would be provided by existing roads and the 100-foot-wide right-of-way along the transmission line. No new roads would be required for Project construction. The access points would not require architectural or landscape treatments beyond restoring any disturbed land to its preconstruction condition. 21-3-330.8.14—New or Upgraded Services New or upgraded services are not applicable to, and not required for, this Project. 21-3-33O.8.15—Hydrologic, Atmospheric, Geologic, Pedologic, Biotic, Visual, and Noise Impacts Biotic and atmospheric impacts are described above. • 58 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application • Hydrologic Construction and maintenance of the transmission line would not measurably impact surface water or groundwater quality. Additionally, there would be no long-term impacts to surface water or groundwater hydrology as a result of construction or operation of the transmission line. The Project crosses one irrigation ditch (Gilmore Ditch). The ditch would be spanned by the transmission line and would not be impacted by the Project(Figure 9).The Project would not impact hydrologic flow of either surface water or groundwater, nor would it affect groundwater recharge. Minimal water would be used during Project construction. Water for construction purposes, including concrete foundations and dust control, would be brought in from off-site sources by a construction water provider. The source of the construction water would be from either a private well owned by the construction water company or from a municipality. No existing water rights would be impacted, and there would be no long-term use of water. If water is needed for revegetation around transmission structures or temporary access roads, the construction water provider would supply the water. . No water would be required for the operation of the transmission line. Geologic Construction and operation of the electric transmission line would not alter the geology of the Project area. The topography of the Project area is relatively flat; slopes range from 0 to 9 percent across the Project site. • Pedologic Figure 10 shows the soil shrink/swell potential in the Project area. Shrink/swell potential of a soil is based on the change in length of an unconfined clod as moisture content is increased from air-dry to field capacity. The classes of shrink/swell potential are shown in Table 8. All of the soils in the Project area have low shrink/swell potential. Table 8 Soil Shrink/Swell Classes Low < 3% Moderate 3-6% High 6-9% Very high > 9% Figure 11 shows the soil erodibility based on factor K within the Project area. The factor K is a measurement of the soil's susceptibility to sheet and rill erosion by water; it is calculated as a function of an average diameter of the soil particles. Factor K is one of six factors used in the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation to predict annual rate of soil loss in tons per acre per year. Factor K values range from 0.05 to 0.69, with higher values indicating higher losses. For the purpose of this report, soil K factors would be classified based on Table 9. Table 9 Soil Erodibility Classes Low 0.05-0.2 Moderate 0.21-0.4 • High > 0.4 59 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Soil Survey of the • Northern Part of Weld County, the following general soil map unit complexes are found within the Project area (NRCS 2012). Vona Loamy Sand -The soils in this unit are deep, well drained, nearly level soils (0 to 9 percent and 3 to 9 percent)formed in alluvium and/or eolian deposits. Erodibility:Vona soils have moderate erodibility. Shrink/Swell Potential:Vona soils have low shrink/swell potential. • • 60 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application • Figure 10 Soil Shrink/Swell Potential • • 61 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application • Valent Sand -The soils in this unit are deep, excessively drained, nearly level soils (0 to 9 percent and 3 to 9 percent)formed in eolian sands on plains and upland dunes. Erodibility:Valent soils have moderate erodibility. Shrink/Swell Potential:Valent soils have low shrink/swell potential. Noise The Project would be constructed and maintained in accordance with Colorado Revised Statutes 25-12-101 et seq. (Noise Abatement)and Article IX, Section 14-9-10 et seq. of the Weld County Code. Visual The Project is not expected to significantly affect the aesthetics of the area. The northern part of the Project crosses an abandoned turkey farm, which will become a dairy. Tank batteries and an FCC tower occur within 0.5 mile of the southern portion of the proposed transmission line. Given the span length and use of single-pole construction, visual aesthetics of the area would be minimally impacted. 21-3-330.8.16-Surface and Subsurface Drainage Subsurface drainage would not be impacted by the proposed transmission line. Gilmore Ditch is the only surface water within the alignment of the preferred alternative. There would be no direct impacts to water quality associated with regular operation or maintenance of the transmission line. Project construction would not create runoff in excess of previous site • levels and would not change existing topography or adversely affect drainage. There would be no alteration in the pattern or intensity of surface drainage as a result of construction or operation of the transmission line facility. A range of measures ensuring the Project does not impact water quality is listed in Appendix B; prior to construction, a Storm Water Permit for Construction Activities would be acquired from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, if needed. 21-3-330.8.17—Any Other Information Required by Planning Commission As requested by the Weld County Planning Commission and Weld County Public Works Department, the following information is submitted with application materials: • Engineered Foundation Plan (Appendix E) Any specific submittal requirements required by Weld County are included in the appropriate sections above. • 65 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application REFERENCES APLIC (Avian Power Line Interaction Committee (APLIC). 2006. Suggested Practices for Avian Protection on Power Lines: The State of the Art in 2006. Edison Electric Institute/Raptor Research Foundation. Washington, D.C. 207 pp. APLIC and USFWS (Avian Power Line Interaction Committee and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). 2005. Avian Protection Plan (APP) Guidelines. April. CDOT (Colorado Department of Transportation). 2005. Road Data. CPW (Colorado Parks and Wildlife). 2011. Black-footed Ferret (Mustela nigripes) -Species Profile. Available online: http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/Species OfConcern/Mammals/Paqes/BlackfootedFerret.aspx. Last updated November 30, 2011. . 2010. Plains Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus jamesi) - Species Profile. Available online: http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/Profiles/Birds/ Paqes/SharptailGrouse.aspx. Last updated July 16, 2010. Federal Emergency Management Agency. 1997. Flood Insurance Rate Map, Weld County, Colorado and Incorporated Areas, Panel 0802660995C. NAIP (Natural Agriculture Imagery Program). 2005. Base Map Data. • NESC (National Electrical Safety Code). 2012. 2012 National Electric Safety Code. National Hydrography Dataset. 2006. Surface Water Data. National Landcover Dataset. 2001. Land Cover Data. NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service). 2012. Soils Data. NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service). 2009. Custom Soil Resource Report for Weld County Colorado, Southern Part. Accessed at: http://websoilsurvey. nres.usda.gov/app/WebSoilSurvey.aspx on January 18, 2012. NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service). 2004. Soils Data. National Institutes of Health. 2002. Electric and Magnetic Fields Associated with the Use of Electric Power. Questions and Answers. June. U.S. Census Bureau. 2010. U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Population Estimates. Accessed at: http://www.census.gov/on January 23, 2012. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2012. Weld County. 2008. 2008 Weld County Comprehensive Plan. Adopted November 24, 2008. Chapter 22 of the Weld County Code. Weld County. 2005. County Jurisdictional and Parcel Data. • 67 Kersey West to South Kersey 115-kV Transmission Line Weld County USR and 1041 Application Wyoming Game and Fish Department. 2011. Threatened, Endangered, and Nongame Bird • and Mammal Investigations, Annual Completion Report, Period Covered: 15 April 201 to 14 April 2011. Available online: http://gf.state.wy.us/web2011/Departments/ Wildlife/pdfs/JCR NONGAMEACR 20110001023.pdf. August. • • 68 Appendix A: • Tri-State Position Statement on EMF Health Effects Q TRI-STATE GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION ASSOCIATION, INC. • HEADQUARTERS: P.O. BOX 33695 DENVER, COLORADO 80233-0695 303-452-6111 POSITION STATEMENT Electric and Magnetic Field (EMF) Health Effects Lights, appliances, computers, power lines and any other devices that carry or use electricity produce electric and magnetic fields (EMF). The Earth itself also creates natural EMF in varying amounts. Therefore, we are all continuously exposed to EMF as a result of living in a society that so heavily relies on the use of electricity as a source of energy. In recent years, concerns have been raised that exposure to EMF might cause or contribute to adverse health effects, including cancer. We at Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association are aware of these concerns and we wish to express our position on EMF and our commitment to this matter. Scientists agree that the answers to these concerns must come from well-conducted research studies. During the last three decades several hundred studies aimed at a better understanding of this issue have been conducted. The consensus of scientists familiar with these studies is that no significant risk to humans from long-term exposure to EMF has been established. In addressing this issue, Congress in 1991 asked the National Academy of Sciences to review the research literature on the effects from exposure to EMF and for the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) to conduct a scientific research program to evaluate the health risk to humans of EMF. The National Academy of Sciences formed the Committee to Review the Research • Activities Completed Under the Energy Policy Act of 1992. The Committee issued their report in 1999 titled "Research on Power-Frequency Fields Completed Under the Energy Policy Act of 1992." In the report they state " the committee recommends that no further special research program focused on possible health effects of power-frequency magnetic fields be funded." The NIEHS in May 1999 prepared their report to Congress on the results of their sponsored research and other research conducted to date around the world. In a letter accompanying this report, the NIEHS Director concluded, "the scientific evidence suggesting that ELF-EMF exposures pose any health risk is weak". He goes on to say "virtually all of the laboratory evidence in animals and humans and most of the mechanistic work done in cells fail to support a causal relationship between exposure to ELF-EMF at environmental levels and changes in biological function or disease status." Tri-State recognizes its responsibility to provide wholesale electric service at the lowest possible cost in a manner that is safe, reliable and environmentally sound. This responsibility includes carefully designing and locating our facilities in strict accordance with the National Electric Safety Code and all applicable federal, state and local regulations. Despite the lack of clear evidence from reliable studies of any adverse effect EMF may have on human health, we will continue to construct and operate our facilities in a manner that minimizes, to the extent prudent and practical, the amount of EMF that is created. Since there are still unanswered questions and opposing theories, Tri-State agrees that limited research should continue in a credible and objective manner even though the federal government has ceased funding all such research studies. Accordingly, we will continue to be a sponsor of the EMF research program of the Electric Power Research Institute, of which we are a member. We will continue to closely monitor the results of these and other scientific studies as they are completed. • Our commitment is to keep our member systems, our employees and our electric consumers informed of the results of this research and promptly and knowledgeably respond to all inquiries with accurate and current information. 3/08 • Appendix B: Environmental Protection Measures for Construction Projects • General The contractor shall comply with all federal, state, and local environmental laws, G-1 orders, and regulations. Prior to construction, all supervisory construction personnel will be instructed on the protection of cultural and ecological resources. Prior to construction, Tri-State shall discuss with the contractor areas of G-2 environmental sensitivity within the Project area and, in particular, those areas where a monitor must be present during construction. Access Routes • _ No construction activities will be performed during periods when the soil is too wet to adequately support equipment and vehicles. If equipment or vehicles create ruts in excess of 4-6 inches deep for a distance of 10 feet on native surface roads, the AR-1 soil shall be deemed too wet to adequately support construction equipment. If equipment or vehicles create ruts in excess of 1 inch deep on graveled roads, the roads shall be deemed too wet to support construction equipment. Only the minimum amount of soils and vegetation necessary for the maintenance of access routes and the safe and reliable operation of the transmission line will be disturbed. If excavation is necessary, topsoil will be conserved and reused as cover AR-2 on disturbed areas to facilitate re-growth of vegetation. Vegetation will be cleared from those areas necessary to obtain adequate working width and turning radius space for maintenance equipment and allow for the safe operation of the transmission line. Water bars on the access roads will be constructed as specified by Tri-State.Water bars will be constructed to: 1) simulate the imaginary contour lines of the slope (ideally with a grade of 1 to 2%); 2)drain away from the disturbed area; and 3) • AR-3 begin and end in vegetation or rock, whenever possible. Tri-State to provide specification for water bar construction. Water turn-off bars or small terraces shall be installed across all temporary construction access roads and trails on hillsides to prevent erosion and facilitate natural revegetation of the trails. Aesthetics The contractor shall exercise care to preserve the natural landscape and shall conduct construction operations so as to prevent any unnecessary destruction, scarring, or defacing of the natural surroundings in the vicinity of the work. Except A-1 where clearing is required for permanent works, approved temporary or permanent construction roads, staging areas, or excavation operations, vegetation shall be preserved and protected from damage by the contractor's construction operations and equipment. The contractor shall minimize scarring, defacing, damage, or destruction of the natural landscape resulting from construction operations. Any unnecessary or A-2 unauthorized damage shall be repaired by the contractor to the satisfaction of Tri- State. All construction materials, waste, and debris shall be removed from the project area A-3 in a timely manner. Burning or burying of waste materials on the right-of-way or at the construction site will not be allowed. All materials resulting from the contractor's clearing operations shall be removed from the right-of-way. Structures will be located and designed to conform with the terrain and with minimal A-4 visual impacts whenever possible. Leveling and benching of the structure sites will be done to the minimum necessary to allow structure assembly and erection. Air Quality The contractor shall utilize practicable methods and devices as are reasonably • AQ-1 available to control, prevent, and otherwise minimize atmospheric emissions or discharges of air contaminants. • AQ-2 Possible construction-related dust disturbance shall be controlled by the periodic application of water to all disturbed areas along the right-of-way and access roads. Vehicles and equipment showing excessive emission of exhaust gases due to poor AQ-3 engine adjustments or other inefficient operating conditions shall not be operated until corrective adjustments or re airs are made. Post seeding mulch will be utilized during reclamation activities to help reduce wind AQ-4 erosion and blowing dust. The mulch/stabilization will be performed as soon as possible after completion of project activities to minimize potential fugitive dust generation as revegetation occurs. Biological Resources Vegetation shall be preserved and protected from damage by construction BR-1 operations to the maximum extent practicable. Removal of brush and trees will be limited to those necessary for access and construction. There will be no clear cutting within the right-of-way unless specifically approved in writing by Tri-State. Disturbed areas where vegetation has been removed by construction activities to the extent that the potential for soil erosion is increased to a detrimental level will be BR-2 subject to seedbed preparation techniques, reseeded with an approved seed mixture, and mulched (if necessary)during a recognized planting season. Mulching shall be applied only to those areas where potential erosion would prohibit vegetation establishment and growth. The contractor shall not cross any wetland and riparian areas (of or relating to, or BR-3 located on, the banks of a river or stream), except at designated locations designated by Tri-State On completion of the work, all work areas, except any permanent access • BR-4 roads/trails, shall be regraded, as required, so that all surfaces drain naturally, blend with the natural terrain, and are left in a condition that will facilitate natural revegetation, provide for proper drainage, and prevent erosion. BR-5 All disturbed areas, except the access route running surfaces, will be reseeded with seed mixes as specified by Tri-State. BR-6 All construction materials and debris shall be removed from the project area. To preclude avian electrocutions and minimize collision risk, Tri-State will incorporate Avian Protection Plan (APP)standards developed by the Avian Power BR-7 Line Interaction Committee (APLIC 2006) and the APP guidelines (APLIC and USFWS 2005)to protect birds on power lines, and NESC-specified electric conductor clearances. Cultural Resources Prior to construction, all supervisory construction personnel will be instructed on CR-1 protection of cultural resources with reference to relevant laws and penalties, and the need to cease work in the location if cultural resource items are discovered. Should any previously unknown historic/prehistoric sites or artifacts be encountered during construction, all land-altering activities at that location will be immediately CR-2 suspended and the discovery left intact until such time that Tri-State is notified and appropriate measures taken to assure compliance the National Historic Preservation Act and enabling legislation. Fire Prevention/Control FP-1 Construction vehicles shall be equipped with government-approved spark arresters. FP-2 The contractor shall maintain in all construction vehicles a current list of local emergency response providers and methods of contact/communication. • • Hazardous Materials Tri-State shall comply with all applicable federal laws and regulations existing or hereafter enacted or promulgated regarding toxic substances or hazardous materials. In any event, Tri-State shall comply with the Toxic Substances Control ' Act of 1976, as amended (15 U.S.C. 2601, et seq.)with regard to any toxic substances that are used, generated by, or stored on the right-of-way or on facilities authorized under this right-of-way grant(See 40 CFR, Part 702-799 and HM-1 especially, provisions on polychlorinated biphenyls, 40 CFR 761.1-761.193.). Additionally, any release of toxic substances (leaks, spills, etc.) in excess of the reportable quantity established by 40 CFR, Part 117 shall be reported as required by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, section 102b. A copy of any report required or requested by any federal agency or state government as a result of a reportable release or spill of any toxic substance shall be furnished to the authorized officer concurrent with the filing of the reports to the involved federal agency or state government. No bulk fuel storage will occur within the public lands portion of the project right- of-way. All fuel and fluid spills within this area will be handled in accordance with HM-2 appropriate state and federal spill reporting and response requirements. The contractor shall notify Tri-State of any spills so appropriate notifications can be made to regulatory authorities. Any waste generated as a result of the proposed action will be properly disposed of in a permitted facility. Solid waste generated during construction and periodic HM-3 maintenance periods will be minimal. All hazardous materials will be handled in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal hazardous material statues • and regulations. Land Use All activities associated with the construction, operation, and maintenance of the transmission line will take place within the authorized limits of the transmission LU-1 line right-of-way and access routes. Additional access routes or cross-country travel will not be allowed outside of the authorized routes prior to review and approval by Tri-State. The contractor shall maintain all fences, brace panels, and gates during the LU-2 construction period. Any fence, brace panel, or gate damaged during construction will be repaired immediately by the contractor to appropriate landowner or agency standards as determined by the authorized officer. The contractor shall eliminate, at the earliest opportunity, all construction ruts that are detrimental to agricultural operations and/or hazardous to movement of vehicles and equipment. Such ruts shall be leveled, filled, and graded, or LU-3 otherwise eliminated in an approved manner. Damage to ditches, tile drains, culverts, terraces, local roads, and other similar land use features shall be corrected as necessary by the contractor. The land and facilities shall be restored as nearly as practicable to their original condition. Structure foundation holes will not be left open overnight and will be covered. LU-4 Covers will be secured in place and will be strong enough to prevent livestock, wildlife, or the public from falling. Noise Construction vehicles and equipment shall be maintained in proper operating N-1 condition and shall be equipped with manufacturers' standard noise-control devices or better(e.g. mufflers, engine enclosures). • • Noxious Weeds To minimize introduction of noxious weed seed sources to the project area, the following measures will be performed. All heavy equipment utilized during construction will be washed prior to departure from the equipment storage facility. Washing of equipment prior to transport from one work site to another is not NW-1 recommended, as on-site washing of equipment increases the chance of weed seed dispersal by drainage of water off of the site, across an area greater than the size of the work site. Equipment will have accumulations of mud 'knocked off instead. This method promotes containment of weed seeds on the work site. All seed mixes and mulch used for reclamation activities will be certified weed-free. Soils and Geology The contractor shall mitigate soils compacted by movement of construction vehicles and equipment by 1) loosened and leveled harrowing or disking to S-1 approximate pre-construction contours and 2) reseeding with certified weed-free grasses and mulched (except in cultivated fields). The specific seed mix(s) and rate(s)of application will be determined by Tri-State. S-2 Movement of construction vehicles and equipment shall be limited to the right-of- way and approved access routes. Excavated material not used in the backfilling of poles shall be spread around each pole, evenly spread on the access routes in the immediate vicinity of the S-3 pole structure, or transported off site to a Tri-State-approved disposal location. Disturbed areas shall then be regraded to approximate pre-construction contours and reseeded as specified in S-1. S-4 Topsoil will be removed, stockpiled, and re-spread at temporarily disturbed areas not needed for maintenance access. • Traffic The contractor shall make all necessary provisions for conformance with federal, T-1 state, and local traffic safety standards and shall conduct construction operations so as to offer the least possible obstruction and inconvenience to public traffic. Water Quality and Erosion Construction activities shall be performed by methods that prevent entrance or accidental spillage of solid matter, contaminants debris, and other objectionable pollutants and wastes into flowing streams or dry water courses, lakes, and WQ-1 underground water sources. Such pollutants and wastes include, but are not restricted to, refuse, garbage, cement, concrete, sanitary waste, industrial waste, radioactive substances, oil and other petroleum products, aggregate processing tailings, mineral salts, and thermal pollution. _ Dewatering work for structure foundations or earthwork operations adjacent to, or encroaching on, streams or water courses shall not be performed without prior WQ-2 approval by Tri-State and appropriate state agencies. Water and eroded materials will be prevented from entering the streams or watercourses by constructing intercepting ditches, bypass channels, barriers, settling ponds, or other approved methods. Borrow pits shall be so excavated that water will not collect and stand therein. Before being abandoned, the sides of borrow pits shall be brought to stable WQ-3 slopes, with slope intersections shaped to carry the natural contour of adjacent, undisturbed terrain into the pit or borrow area, giving a natural appearance. Waste piles shall be shaped to provide a natural appearance. _ Excavated material or other construction materials shall not be stockpiled or WQ 4 deposited near or on stream banks, lake shorelines, or other water course perimeters where they can be washed away by high water or storm runoff or can . in any way encroach upon the water source itself. • Waste waters from construction operations shall not enter streams, water courses, or other surface waters without use of such turbidity control methods as settling ponds, gravel-filter entrapment dikes, approved flocculating processes WQ-5 that are not harmful to fish, recirculation systems for washing of aggregates, or other approved methods. Any such waste waters discharged into surface waters shall be essentially free of settleable material. Settleable material is defined as that material that will settle from the water by gravity during a 1-hour quiescent period. A Storm Water Management Plan shall be developed, if required, to address all WQ-6 construction and reconstruction activities. The plan shall conform with all U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Best Management Practices requirements. • • • File contains CD with digital copy of Application Materials • Please See Original File • Hello