HomeMy WebLinkAbout710488.tiff n n
United States Department of the Interior
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n BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
REGIONAL OFFICE, REGION 7
BUILDING 20, DENVER FEDERAL CENTER
IN REPLY
7'150 DENVER, COLORADO 80225
REREADMAR 311971
Mr. Marshall H. Anderson, Chairman
Board of County Commissioners
Weld County, Colorado
County Court House
Greeley, Colorado 80631
Dear Mr. Anderson:
Enclosed for your information and use are two copies of the
Environmental Statement on the proposed Archer-Weld 230 Kv.
Transmission Line and Weld Substation.
This statement has been prepared in accordance with the National
Environmental Qualify Act of 1969 and reflects the agreements
and understandings outlined in my letter dated February 17,' 1971 ,
to you with concurrence indicated by your signature.
I sincerely appreciate the cooperation and assistance of your
Board in this matter. If you desire additional copies of the
enclosed statement, I will be happy to furnish those needs.
It would be appreciated if you would provide any additional
comments you might have by June 1 , 1971 .
Sincerely yours,
IUJames M. Ingles
Regional Director
Enclosures 2
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710488
,ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT ON PROPOSED ARCHER-WELD
230-KV TRANSMISSION LINE AND WELD SUBSTATION,
UPPER COLORADO RIVER STORAGE PROJECT, COLORADO, -
SUBMITTED IN CONFORMANCE WITH SECTION 102 (2) (C)
OF THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT OF 1969
Description and Location of the Facilities to be Constructed -
The Archer-Weld Transmission Line will be a 230-kv facility extending from the
existing Archer Substation located about 8 miles east of Cheyenne, Wyoming, to
the proposed Weld Substation about 6 miles west of Greeley, Colorado. The line
will be 57 miles long. The type of construction proposed is single-circuit, H-frame,
wood-pole structures from Archer Substation to approximately 2 miles north of
Pierce, Colorado, and double-circuit lattice steel structures to carry the 230-kv
circuit and the existing 115-kv circuit from that point approximately 2 miles north
of Pierce, Colorado, to the Weld Substation site.
The route selected for the line parallels the existing Hayden-Archer 230-kv
Transmission Line from Archer Substation to a point south of Cheyenne from
where it parallels the Cheyenne-Greeley 115-kv Transmission Line to the Weld
Substation site. The route traverses rangeland in southern Wyoming and northern
Colorado, and dry and irrigated farmland in the Greeley area. About 30 percent
of the length of the line would be on cultivated land.
The Weld Substation will be a joint 230/115-kv facility with Public Service Company
of Colorado. It will be built on an 80-acre plot with separate but connected facilities
for the Company and the Bureau.
Actual Need and Purpose for Constructing the Facilities
Weld.Substation will serve as a major interconnection point for the transmission
systems of the Bureau and the Company thereby strengthening the capability and
reliability of both systems. The Bureau will construct the Archer-Weld 230-kv
Transmission Line and its portion of the Weld Substation while Public Service
Company will build the Fort Lupton-Weld 230-kv Transmission Line and its portion
of Weld Substation. Other Bureau and Company lines will be brought into Weld
Substation initially and in the future to further interconnect the systems. With
power loads doubling throughout the United States every 10 years, it is imperative
that public and private generating and transmission facilities be interconnected
to furnish backup power capabilities in the event of isolated failures and to strengthen
individual systems to increase overall reliability. This interconnection will advance
that national objective.
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Impact on the Environment
- Completion of this interconnection between major sources of hydropower owned
and operated by the Government and major sources of steam-electric power
owned and operated by this large private utility will improve the socioeconomic
environment of the region by increasing the productivity of the area and the
quality of the human environment. Availability of dependable, reasonably
priced power is necessary for economic progress and for the comfort and
enjoyment of the people.
Steam-electric generation is best suited to furnish base load requirements,
whereas, hydropower, because of its quick startup time, is very adaptable
to furnishing peak load requirements and does not add any pollutants to our
atmosphere or streams. When interconnected, one augments the other for the
ultimate good of man and the environment by decreasing the need for construction
of additional generating capacity of either type.
No significant unique resource areas or conditions will be adversely affected by
the transmission line or substation, as the existing natural conditions of the
area are prevalent through the region. The line has been routed generally
parallel to the existing Bureau of Reclamation lines to avoid the impact of a
new line in a new area. Where the line traverses irrigated farmland in the
Greeley area, double-circuit steel towers will be used so that the existing
parallel 115-kv line may be placed on the new towers and the existing 115-kv
wood-pole line removed. The steel towers improve aesthetic appearance of
the line, as well as eliminate a second line through the valuable farm area.
There would be two parallel lines involved after construction only in the reach
of the wood-pole line which would traverse rangeland in southern Wyoming and
northern Colorado. Visibility of the proposed line from highways and farmsteads
has been minimized as much as practicable. Other agencies having facilities
in the area will be contacted regarding our alinement and their approval obtained
prior to construction. The alinement through and around farmsteads has been
selected to avoid radio and television interference, avoid clearing of trees or
shelter belts and to utilize less productive areas where possible. When feasible
to do so, the line has been routed through low-lying areas around farmsteads
to present a low profile for the constructed line.
Weld Substation will be constructed using low-profile structures of a pleasing
modern design. Steel structures and major items of electrical equipment will
be painted in color coordinated shades to blend with the surrounding environment.
Architectural treatment of the Bureau and Company control houses and other
separate facilities is being coordinated to present an attractive joint installation.
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Adverse Environmental Effects
- Certain individual landowners may experience adverse environmental impacts
due to the presence of the line on or near their property. This appears to
be unavoidable and every effort has been made to minimize such impacts.
Alternatives to the Proposed Action
There is no alternative course of action to the proposed plan which would create
equivalent benefits for meeting the social, economic and environmental objectives
desired at comparable economic costs.
Relationship of Short-Term Uses Versus Long-Term Needs
The purpose of this proposal is to meld two separate generation systems for
the common good of customers of both systems by furnishing dependable power
in the most economic manner. Therefore, a common relationship exists between
local short-term use of the resources involved and the need to maintain and enhance
the long-term productivity of the joint systems.
Irreversible Commitment of Resources
None of the resources would be irreversibly committed.
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