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1r ,__� LAND USE APPLICATION
SUMMARY SHEET
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Planner: Kim Ogle
Case Number: USR15-0049 Hearing Date: November 3, 2015
Applicant: Tri-State Generation and Transmission , Inc. , c/o Selina Koler
Address: 1100 West 116th Avenue, Westminster, Colorado 80233
Request: A Site Specific Development Plan and Use by Special Review Permit, USR15-
0049, for a Major Facility of a Public Utility or Public Agency approximately 9
miles of 230/115-kilovolt (kV) transmission line from Tri-State's existing
Greenhouse substation located near County Roads 31 and 14 to the proposed
115/69/13.2-kV Golfer Substation located near County Roads 45 and 18;
Approximately 8.5 miles of 230/115-kV transmission line from the proposed
Golfer substation north to the proposed 115/69/13.2-kV Rattlesnake Ridge
substation located near County Roads 49 and 30; Approximately 9 miles of
230/115-kV transmission line between the proposed Rattlesnake Ridge
substation and the proposed 230/115-kV Milton substation located near County
Roads 49 and 44; Approximately 4 miles of 230/115-kV transmission line
between the proposed Milton substation and the existing South Kersey
substation located near the intersection of county Roads 51 and 50, including the
addition of a circuit breaker, line position , and associated equipment inside the
fence of Tri-State's existing South Kersey substation, subject to the provisions of
Section 23-4-420 of the Weld County Code and facility construction laydown
yards near the Greenhouse, Golfer, Rattlesnake Ridge and South Kersey
substations (consisting of two construction trailers, multiple storage containers
and other associated equipment) in the A (Agricultural) Zone District - Tri-State
Generation & Transmission Association / Southwest Weld Expansion Project
Phase II
Legal Description: The new transmission line commences at the Greenhouse substation located
within the Corporate City Limits of Fort Lupton in Section 34-2-66 then heading
east approximately 0.5 miles into Section 35-2-66 turning north for one mile into
Section 26-2-66 then turning east through Sections 25-2-66 and entering
Sections 30, 29, 28, 27-2-65 and turning north into Section 22-2-65 for
approximately 0.75 miles to the Colfer substation . Commencing at the Colfer
substation heading south through Section 22-2-65 then west for one mile then
heading north through Section 22 and 15-2-65 then turning east for
approximately 0.5 miles then turning north into Section 10-2-65 for approximately
0.5 miles then turning east for approximately 0.5 miles into Section 11 -2-65 and
heading north into Section 2-2-65 and entering Section 35-3-65 for approximately
0.75 miles then turning east across Section 35 and into Section 36-3-65 for
approximately 0.75 miles then north into Section 25-3-65 for approximately 0.5
miles into the Rattlesnake Ridge substation . From Section 26-3-65 the
transmission line heads east and enters Section 30-3-64 then turns and heads
north through Sections 30, 19, 18, 7 and approximately 0.5 miles into Section 6-
3-64 then turns and heads west approximately 0.5 miles into Section 1 -3-65 then
turning north into Section 36-4-65 for approximately 1 .5 miles into Section 25-4-
65 then turning east for approximately 0.5 miles and entering Section 30-4-64
then heading north through Section 30 crossing into Section 24-4-65 and
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Tri-State Generation and Transmission - Southwest Weld Expansion Project Phase II, Page 1
heading north approximately 0.5 miles into Section 14-65 and into the Milton
substation . Commencing at the Milton substation and heading east
approximately 0.5 miles of Section 18-4-64 then turning north through Section 7
and 6-4-65 and entering Section 32-5-65 and terminating at the South Kersey
substation .
Location : Generally located approximately 0.5 miles South of County Road 52; West of and
adjacent to County Road 51 ; approximately 0.5 miles North of County Road 14
and East of and adjacent to County Road 31
Parcel Numbers: Multiple
Size of Parcel: Approximately 81 acres within transmission line easement and substations
POSSIBLE ISSUES SUMMARIZED FROM APPLICATION MATERIALS
The criteria for review of this Special Review Permit is listed in Chapter 21 of the Weld County Code
The Department of Planning Services' staff has received responses with comments from the following
agencies:
Weld County Department of Planning Services - Floodplain , referral dated September 16, 2015
Kerr-McGee OnShore/ Anadarko Petroleum Corporation , referral dated September 22, 2015
Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment, referral dated September 23, 2015
Weld County Department of Planning Services - Engineer, referral dated September 25, 2015
The Department of Planning Services' staff has received responses without comments from the following
agencies:
Weld County Sheriff's Office, referral dated August 21 , 2015
Southeast Weld Fire Protection District, referral dated August 21 , 2015
Weld School District RE-1 , referral dated August 21 , 2015
Weld County Zoning Compliance, referral dated August 24, 2015
Platteville Fire Protection District, referral dated August 25, 2015
Fort Lupton Fire Protection District, referral dated August 27, 2015
Platte Valley Fire Protection District, referral dated August 31 , 2015
Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife referral dated August 31 , 2015
Weld School District RE-3J , referral dated September 2, 2015
Platte Valley Airpark, referral dated September 5, 2015
Town of Hudson , referral dated September 9, 2015
Weld School District RE-7, referral dated September 11 , 2015
City of Fort Lupton - Planning , referral dated September 21 , 2015
The Department of Planning Services' staff has not received responses from the following agencies:
Neres Canal Weld School District RE-8
Speer Canal Encana Oil & Gas Corporation
History Colorado Hudson Fire Protection District
Neres Canal East LaSalle Fire Protection District
State of Colorado Public Service Company of Colorado
Noble Energy, Inc. Platte Valley Soil Conservation District
Speer Neres Canal West Greeley Soil Conservation District
Beebe Seepe Canal Weld County Department of Building Inspection
DCP Midstream , LP Weld County Office of Emergency Management
Easton Valley Airpark
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Tri-State Generation and Transmission - Southwest Weld Expansion Project Phase II, Page 2
\....k1/4 ` SPECIAL REVIEW PERMIT
1� 1ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW
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Planner: Kim Ogle
Case Number: USR15-0049 Hearing Date: November 3, 2015
Applicant: Tri-State Generation and Transmission , Inc. , c/o Selina Koler
Address: 1100 West 116th Avenue, Westminster, Colorado 80233
Request: A Site Specific Development Plan and Use by Special Review Permit, USR15-
0049, for a Major Facility of a Public Utility or Public Agency approximately 9
miles of 230/115-kilovolt (kV) transmission line from Tri-State's existing
Greenhouse substation located near County Roads 31 and 14 to the proposed
115/69/13.2-kV Colfer Substation located near County Roads 45 and 18;
Approximately 8.5 miles of 230/115-kV transmission line from the proposed
Colfer substation north to the proposed 115/69/13.2-kV Rattlesnake Ridge
substation located near County Roads 49 and 30; Approximately 9 miles of
230/115-kV transmission line between the proposed Rattlesnake Ridge
substation and the proposed 230/115-kV Milton substation located near County
Roads 49 and 44; Approximately 4 miles of 230/115-kV transmission line
between the proposed Milton substation and the existing South Kersey
substation located near the intersection of county Roads 51 and 50, including the
addition of a circuit breaker, line position , and associated equipment inside the
fence of Tri-State's existing South Kersey substation , subject to the provisions of
Section 23-4-420 of the Weld County Code and facility construction laydown
yards near the Greenhouse, Colfer, Rattlesnake Ridge and South Kersey
substations (consisting of two construction trailers, multiple storage containers
and other associated equipment) in the A (Agricultural) Zone District - Tri-State
Generation & Transmission Association / Southwest Weld Expansion Project
Phase II
Legal Description : The new transmission line commences at the Greenhouse substation located
within the Corporate City Limits of Fort Lupton in Section 34-2-66 then heading
east approximately 0.5 miles into Section35-2-66 turning north for one mile into
Section 26-2-66 then turning east through Sections 25 -2-66 and entering
Sections 30, 29, 28, 27-2-65 and turning north into Section 22-2-65 for
approximately 0.75 miles to the Colfer substation . Commencing at the Colfer
substation heading south through Section 22-2-65 then west for one mile then
heading north through Section 22 and 15-2-65 then turning east for
approximately 0.5 miles then turning north into Section 10-2-65 for approximately
0.5 miles then turning east for approximately 0.5 miles into Section 11 -2-65 and
heading north into Section 2-2-65 and entering Section 35-3-65 for approximately
0.75 miles then turning east across Section 35 and into Section 36-3-65 for
approximately 0.75 miles then north into Section 25-3-65 for approximately 0.5
miles into the Rattlesnake Ridge substation . From Section 26-3-65 the
transmission line heads east and enters Section 30-3-64 then turns and heads
north through Sections 30, 19, 18, 7 and approximately 0.5 miles into Section 6-
3-64 then turns and heads west approximately 0.5 miles into Section 1 -3-65 then
turning north into Section 36-4-65 for approximately 1 . 5 miles into Section 25-4-
65 then turning east for approximately 0.5 miles and entering Section 30-4-64
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Tri-State Generation and Transmission - Southwest Weld Expansion Project Phase II, Page 3
then heading north through Section 30 crossing into Section 24-4-65 and
heading north approximately 0.5 miles into Section 14-65 and into the Milton
substation . Commencing at the Milton substation and heading east
approximately 0.5 miles of Section 18-4-64 then turning north through Section 7
and 6-4-65 and entering Section 32-5-65 and terminating at the South Kersey
substation.
Location : Generally located approximately 0.5 miles South of County Road 52; West of and
adjacent to County Road 51 ; approximately 0.5 miles North of County Road 14
and East of and adjacent to County Road 31
Parcel Numbers: Multiple
Size of Parcel: Approximately 81 acres within transmission line easement and substations
Narrative:
United Power, one of Tri-State's Member Systems, has received formal requests for new service to
several large industrial loads in southwest Weld County primarily for oil and gas extraction , processing ,
and transportation . These load requests include approximately 100 megawatts (MW) for oil and gas
production facilities, 90 MW for gas processing plants, and 120 MW for oil and gas transportation . The
transportation loads consist of twelve compressor sites each with a demand of 10- 12 MW. Additionally,
United Power anticipates a significant amount of native residential load growth in support of oil and gas
development. Together, these retail load requests exceed 300 MW and cannot be accommodated by
United Power's existing 34.5-kV sub-transmission and distribution systems in the area.
Tri-State has also received inquiries from one of its other members, Poudre Valley Rural Electric
Association (PVREA) for up to an additional 50 MW in the area south of Kersey and immediately north of
United Power's service area. In addition to the upgrades approved by the Weld County Board of County
Commissioners on February 4, 2015 for Phase I of the project (USR14-0067), the electrical infrastructure
to serve these needs will be completed as part of this Phase II of the Southwest Weld Expansion Project
(Figure 1A) and will include a substation , called Neres Canal , which would be served by the Milton
substation and would be included in the operator's County permit application for the gas plant.
Tri-State is also working with Xcel Energy (Xcel), the other utility that serves southwest Weld County. Tri-
State and Xcel have entered into an agreement which would allow Xcel to be a partner on the project
pending negotiation of a participation agreement that would meet the load-serving needs for both
companies in the most efficient way possible, and would include, at a minimum , a connection from Xcel's
Hudson — Fort Lupton 115kV line to the new Colfer Substation (approximately 500' of transmission line).
The Project occurs primarily in unincorporated Weld County. The Greenhouse Substation and the
transmission lines coming out of the substation would be located within the City of Fort Lupton .
THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING SERVICES' STAFF RECOMMENDS THAT THIS REQUEST BE
APPROVED FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:
1 . The submitted materials are in compliance with the application requirements of Chapter 21 of the
Weld County Code.
2. It is the opinion of the Department of Planning Services' staff that the applicant has shown
compliance with Section 21 -3-340. A of the Weld County Code, as follows:
Section 21-3-340.A. 1 — The health, welfare and safety of the citizens of the County will be
protected and served.
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Tri-State Generation and Transmission - Southwest Weld Expansion Project Phase II, Page 4
The Design Standards (Section 23-2-240), Operation Standards (Section 23-2-250), Conditions of
Approval, and Development Standards ensure that there are adequate provisions for the
protection of health, safety, and welfare of the inhabitants of the neighborhood and County.
Section 21-3-340.A. 2-The natural and socio-economic environment of the County will be protected
and enhanced.
There are no significant prevalent natural hazards in the area that will affect, or be affected by, the
project. Historically the area has been dominated by agricultural uses, residential development and
oil and gas activities.
The communities nearest to the Project area are Fort Lupton, Hudson, and Kersey. Larger nearby
cities include Loveland , Greeley, Longmont and Thornton. It is anticipated that the Project would have
a small beneficial impact to the local economies of these towns and the larger metropolitan cities.
Construction contractors, regardless of origin, would likely spend some money in these communities
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 lines.
There are no adverse socio-economic constraints associated with the project. 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).
Section 21-3-340.A. 3 -- All reasonable alternatives to the proposed action, including use of existing
rights-of-way and joint use of rights-of-way wherever uses are compatible, have been adequately
assessed and the proposed action is compatible with and represents the best interests of the people
of the County and represents a fair and reasonable utilization of resources in the impact area.
The transmission line corridor alternatives were evaluated to address the needs of the Project.
Scenario A: Taking no action would result in no power delivery to our Members and their
customers. The No Action Alternative does not meet the needs of the Project.
Scenario B: This alternative would involve the construction of approximately 30.5 miles of 230-kV
and 115-kV transmission line and three new substations. Alternative B would provide the necessary
power to serve oil and gas facilities in the area, as requested by Member customers.
The preferred system alternative is Alternative B. Alternative B meets the Project's purpose and need
and provides a cost-effective, secure, and reliable source of power for Tri-State's Members, United
Power, and their customers.
The process used to identify alternative locations for the transmission lines began with delineating the
Study Area (for all phases of the Project). The general location for the substation site and the
transmission lines were initially identified based on the location of the oil and gas facilities,
interconnection considerations, existing infrastructure, and residences. The locations of these
features heavily influenced the area of consideration for the transmission lines and substations.
Four potential routes from the proposed Greenhouse Substation to Colfer Substation to Rattlesnake
Ridge Substation to Milton Substation to South Kersey Substation were evaluated. The preliminary
routes for the proposed 230-kV Greenhouse—Colfer transmission line were identified along existing
transmission lines and pipelines as well as field lines.
Greenhouse Substation to Golfer Substation (Greenhouse—Colfer'
The preliminary routes for the proposed 230-kV Greenhouse—Colfer transmission line were identified
along existing transmission lines, Highway 52, and field lines. An existing utility corridor, which is
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Tri-State Generation and Transmission - Southwest Weld Expansion Project Phase II, Page 5
located directly northeast of the Greenhouse Substation and going east toward Hudson , presented an
opportunity for routing, although the corridor crosses near two residences and is approximately 1 .4
miles from the Platte Valley Airpark. An additional route was identified to the north that avoids the
residential crossing , but passes near four additional residences. A route to the south along Highway
52 was also evaluated because of the potential to consolidate disturbance with the highway corridor.
Greenhouse—Colfer Preferred Route Aternative
The Preferred route makes use of the existing utility corridor between the Greenhouse Substation and
the Hudson area. The route has the fewest residences the fewest number of center pivots and is
approximately 1 .06 miles from the Platte Valley Airpark and is adjacent to an existing transmission
line away from the airport to the south .
Greenhouse—Colfer Alternative 1
Alternative 1 follows the Preferred route to the north but then turns east approximately 0.5 mile
north along County Road 20. This route is parallel to County Road 20 for most of the route;
however, it would create an additional corridor approximately 0.5 mile from the existing corridor.
This route crosses four center pivots and would also impact twice as many residences.
Greenhouse—Colfer Alternative 2
Alternative 2 runs east out of the Greenhouse Substation to the Hudson area (proposed Colfer
Substation) south of the other alternatives along Highway 52. This route would impact nearly five
times as many residences as the Preferred route and would impact the most landowners. The
Alternative is also the closest to the Platte Valley Airpark and would create a new obstruction for
the airport to the south.
Colfer Substation to Rattlesnake Ridge Substation (Colfer—Rattlesnake Ridge;
The area between the Colfer Substation and the Rattlesnake Ridge Substation is primarily agricultural
land (center pivots and pasture lands) with intermittent residential development. Preliminary routes for
the Colfer—Rattlesnake transmission line were identified along field lines and County roads. An
addition route that follows an existing transmission line owned by Xcel Energy (Xcel) to the east was
also evaluated .
Colfer—Rattlesnake Ridge Preferred Route Alternative
The Preferred route begins at the proposed Colfer Substation property and heads due west parallel to
Xcel's existing Hudson—Fort Lupton line for approximately 0.8 mile where it turns due north and runs
along property boundaries for 2.5 miles. The route then crosses the existing east-west utility corridor
and continues north for another 1 .5 miles where it turns north to the Rattlesnake Ridge Substation
parcel. This route has the fewest number of road crossings, residences and the fewest number of
landowners impacted .
Colfer—Rattlesnake Ridge Alternative 1
Alternative 1 heads west out of the Colfer Substation for approximately 1 .8 miles where it heads
north for 2.5 miles along County Road 41 . The transmission line crosses the County Road four
times along this stretch to avoid homes and oil and gas facilities, and additional crossing could be
required upon final engineering . The route then heads to the east for approximately 1 mile where
it heads north again along County Road 43 for 3 miles. The route would have to cross the County
Road 9 times along this stretch to avoid homes and oil and gas facilities. The route then goes
west for 2.5 miles along County Road 20 where it crosses back-and-forth another two times. This
route has multiple road crossings, a large number of impacted residences and a large amount of
center pivots impacted .
Colfer—Rattlesnake Ridge Alternative 2
This route goes south out of the Colfer Substation property for approximately 0.5 mile to the
existing Hudson Substation . It then follows Xcel's existing Ennis—Hudson transmission line for 7.8
miles, crossing County Road 49 twice. The route then heads north off of the existing corridor for 3
miles. This route is the longest of the Colfer—Rattlesnake Ridge alternatives and has the majority
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Tri-State Generation and Transmission - Southwest Weld Expansion Project Phase II, Page 6
of its route adjacent to existing transmission line corridors. However, it crosses within 500 feet of
six residences and impacts 17 landowners. Additionally, it is within 200 feet of 10 oil and gas
facilities.
Rattlesnake Ridge Substation to Milton Substation (Rattlesnake Ridge—Milton)
The area between the Rattlesnake Ridge Substation and the Milton Substation is dominated by oil
and gas development, agricultural land uses, and rural residents. The County Road 49 corridor runs
between the two substations and is proposed for substantial widening and re-alignment. Alternatives
were evaluated that included use of the existing disturbed County Road 49 corridor and also routes to
the east and west of the corridor to avoid oil and gas facilities, residences, and agricultural operations.
Rattlesnake Ridge—Milton Preferred Route Alternative
The Preferred route out of the Rattlesnake Ridge Substation crosses County Road 40 at the
intersection of County Road 44 and heads north, just east of the future road alignment for
approximately 3.3 miles. It then diverts to the west off of the road to avoid homes and crosses through
land owned by the State of Colorado. It crosses back into the County Road 49 alignment near County
road 42 and continues north for 1 .2 miles where it terminates at the Milton Substation . This route had
the fewest number of road crossings, residences and landowners impacted .
Rattlesnake Ridge—Milton Alternative 1
Alternative 1 crosses County Road 49 out of the Rattlesnake Ridge Substation and heads east
along County Road 30 for approximately 0.5 mile where it turns north and runs along property
boundaries approximately 5 miles where it rejoins the County Road 49 alignment. It then parallels
the road to the north for another 1 .8 miles, crossing the road three times to avoid homes and oil
and gas facilities. The route then heads northwest for 3.5 miles until it crosses County Road 44
and returns the 1 .4 miles to the east to terminate at the Milton Substation .
Rattlesnake Ridge—Milton Alternative 2
Alternative 2 goes east along County Road 30 out of the Rattlesnake Ridge Substation for 2 miles
where it turns to the north and runs along property lines for another 2 miles. It then crosses to the
east and west for approximately 9 miles until it reaches County Road 49 where it turns west for
1 .5 miles to the Milton Substation .
Milton Substation to South Kersey Substation (Milton—South Kersey)
The area between the Milton Substation and the South Kersey Substation includes two airports,
which dominated the routing efforts in this area. The Easton Valley View Airport occurs along County
Road 49 approximately 1 .2 miles north of the Milton Substation . The Beaugh Field , which is a private
airstrip, is located northeast of the Milton Substation approximately 0.3 mile east of County Road 51 .
The area also includes center pivots and irrigated agriculture, residences, and oil and gas wells and
tank batteries.
Milton—South Kersey Preferred Route Alteranative
The Preferred route runs north out of the Milton Substation and turns to the east along the southern
boundary of a parcel then continues north along the west side of the parcel for approximately 0.5 mile
where it turns to the northeast and then north through two parcels. The route does not occur along
parcel boundaries on these properties due to the approach and departure zone for the Easton Valley
View Airport. North of County Road 48 the route then re-joins the parcel boundary and continues to
the north for 0.75 mile where it crosses County Road 50 onto a parcel owned by DCP Midstream , LP
and into the South Kersey Substation .
Milton—South Kersey Alternative 1
Alternative 1 also runs north out of the Milton Substation and then east across the southern
boundary of the parcel then continues east for 0.5 mile where it turns north along County Road
51 . This route would cross County Road 51 seven times to avoid residences and oil and gas
facilities before crossing County Road 50 into the South Kersey Substation. This route was not
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selected because of the congestion along County Road 51 and would include property acquisition
for one property owner.
Milton—South Kersey Alternative 2
Alternative 2 follows the same route as the Preferred Route Alternative and Alternative 1 out of
the substation and east across the parcel continuing east for 0.9 mile where it would turn north
along parcel boundaries. The route would jog to the west to avoid a center pivot along County
Road 48 and would then jog west again to stay along parcel boundaries. It would continue north
from there into the South Kersey Substation. This route would involve acquistion and
discontinuing use of the Beaugh airfield .
Public Outreach
Tri-State and their contractor, HDR, contacted landowners along the Preferred and Alternative routes
per ownership information derived from Weld County property records. This contact has been in
various forms including project introduction phone calls; project introduction and access permission
letter mailings; and project introduction and access permission meetings with landowners. In addition,
negotiations are in process with affected landowners to obtain Options for the purchase of easements
along the Preferred routes. Landowner contacts began in January 2014 and are on-going.
The proposed 30.5 miles of transmission line would consist of approximately 160-270 structures. The
structures would be steel pole construction spaced approximately 600-1 ,000 feet apart. The
transmission lines would have three conductors per circuit for a double-circuit configuration , an
overhead optical ground wire for internal Tri-State communications, and one shield wire. Steel
transmission poles would be set in concrete foundations.
Section 21-3-340.A. 4--A satisfactory program to mitigate and minimize adverse impacts has been
presented.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife returned a referral indicating no conflicts with their interests, and the
State Historical Society did not return a referral response. The Project area is characterized by
agricultural lands, oil and gas development, and residential use. The surrounding vegetation is
primarily disturbed grassland. Construction would occur primarily in areas that have been previously
disturbed, and impacts to native vegetation communities are expected to be minimal. The land cover
is primarily grassland and herbaceous vegetation including weeds. Most access would be overland
or along existing municipal or county maintained roads with limited non-maintained county roads, and
minimal vegetation would be disturbed from roads.
No drainages or wetlands would be impacted by the transmission lines or substation. Portions of the
Rattlesnake Ridge—Milton transmission line is within the floodplain therefore a Weld County
Floodplain Development Permit will be required for transmission structures that occur within the
floodplain .
The agriculture areas are likely to support a variety of common wildlife such as coyote, fox, skunk,
rabbits, and various birds. There is no designated critical wildlife habitat in the vicinity of the project
although suitable habitat may exist for the state-listed Western burrowing owl.
Prior to construction, Tri-State will conduct surveys for migratory birds and Western Burrowing Owls
(in prairie dog towns in the vicinity of the transmission lines and substation). If any nests for migratory
birds or any listed species are found , appropriate construction timing limitations will be enforced , as
feasible, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife recommendations. Where timing limitations or
setback cannot be applied due to timing constraints, other alternative mitigation measures would be
considered and vetted with CPW . If any federally-listed species are found, Tri-State will consult with
the U .S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) regarding avoidance and mitigation.
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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.
Project impacts to wildlife are expected to be minimal and limited to temporary disturbance from
construction activities.
As part of the project, Tri-State will conduct a Class I archaeological database search of the Project
area, as well as a Class III pedestrian survey on properties where survey permission has been
granted and where significant disturbance has previously not occurred. Any sites found to be eligible
for listing on the National Heritage Research Partnership (NRHP) will be spanned and avoided by the
Project. There are no areas of geologic importance in the vicinity of the project.
Section 21-3-340.A. 5--The nature and location or expansion of the facility complies with all applicable
provisions of the master plan of this County, and other applicable regional, metropolitan, state and
national plans.
The preferred transmission line alignment and substation location is within the three mile referral area
for the City of Fort Lupton, the Town of Hudson and the Town of Kersey. The City of Fort Lupton , the
Town of Hudson and the Town of Kersey responded without concerns.
Section 21-3-340.A. 6 --The nature and location or expansion of the facility does not unduly or
unreasonably impact existing community services.
The applicant states careful site planning can be developed with only a localized loss of agricultural land
quality. Ground disturbance for the transmission line is generally limited to the area immediately around
the base of each pole. The substations would occur on lands previous removed from agricultural use and
agricultural practices could continue on adjacent lands.
Approximately 55 construction workers would be employed during the course of the approximately 11
month construction period.
The Project would generate infrequent trips to the transmission line and substations during operation ;
the line would be inspected annually and occasionally for maintenance.
No adverse effects on county roads are anticipated . Tri-State will work with the Weld County Public
Works Department to determine the appropriate access to 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 Roads to allow construction vehicles to enter and
exit the construction area. No improvements to Weld County roads would be required.
Given the relatively short construction schedule, the site will not generate significant demands on
community services such as the school district.
Section 21-3-340.A. 7--The nature and location or expansion of the facility will not create an expansion of
the demand for government services beyond the reasonable capacity of the community or region to
provide such services, as determined by the Board of County Commissioners.
It is anticipated that the Project would have a small beneficial impact to the nearby communities of
Fort Lupton , Hudson, and Kersey, and larger nearby communities of Loveland , Greeley,
Longmont and Thornton . Construction contractors, regardless of origin, would likely spend some
money in Cheyenne or Greeley 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
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Tri-State Generation and Transmission - Southwest Weld Expansion Project Phase II, Page 9
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 3 of the Weld County Sheriff's Department and is within the
jurisdiction of the Fort Lupton , Hudson , Platteville-Gilcrest, Southeast Weld , Platte Valley and LaSalle
Fire Protection Districts. Public roads are maintained by the Weld County Department of Public
Works and the respective municipalities. The nearest hospital to the southern side of the Project area is
in the City of Longmont (Longmont United Hospital) and the nearest hospital to the northern side of the
Project area is in the City of Greeley (Northern Colorado Medical Center). 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.
Section 21-3-340.A. 8-- The facility site or expansion area is not in an area with general meteorological
and climatological conditions which would unreasonably interfere with or obstruct normal operations and
maintenance.
The proposed site was selected because it does not affect the meteorological and climatological
conditions.
Section 21-3-340.A. 9--The nature and location of the facility or expansion will not adversely affect the
water rights of any upstream, downstream or agricultural users, adjacent communities or other water
users.
The application states that the project will not impact hydrologic flow of either surface of either surface
water or groundwater, nor will it affect groundwater recharge. Existing drainage patterns will be
preserved . Permanent facilities would not be located in stream channels, appropriately sized culverts
will be installed to maintain channel flow and morphology. 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.
Section 21-3-340.A. 10--Adequate water supplies are available for facility needs.
Bottled water will be used during construction of the transmission line and substation .
Section 21-3-340.A. 11— The nature and location of the facility or expansion will not unduly interfere with
existing easements, rights-of-way, other utilities, canals, mineral claims or roads.
Agreements with holders of existing easements, rights-of-way, or utility, ditch, mineral or roads will be
obtained as appropriate once the Weld County permitting processes are complete.
Section 21-3-340.A. 12--Adequate electric, gas, telephone, water, sewage and other utilities exist or shall
be developed to service the site.
This is an unmanned facility consisting of 9 miles of 230/115-kilovolt (kV) transmission line from Tri-
State's existing Greenhouse substation to the proposed 115/69/13.2-kV Colfer Substation;
Approximately 8.5 miles of 230/115-kV transmission line from the proposed Colfer substation to the
proposed 115/69/13.2-kV Rattlesnake Ridge substation; Approximately 9 miles of 230/115-kV
transmission line between the proposed Rattlesnake Ridge substation and the proposed 230/115-kV
Milton substation ; Approximately 4 miles of 230/115-kV transmission line between the proposed
Milton substation and the existing South Kersey substation , therefore utility services are not required
post construction .
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Tri-State Generation and Transmission - Southwest Weld Expansion Project Phase II, Page 10
Section 21-3-340.A. 13-The nature and location for expansion of the facility will not unduly interfere with
any significant wildlife habitat or adversely affect any endangered wildlife species, unique natural
resource or historic landmark within the impact area.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife returned a referral indicating no conflicts with their interests, and the
State Historical Society did not return a referral response. The Project area is characterized by
agricultural lands, oil and gas development, and residential use. The surrounding vegetation is
primarily disturbed grassland . Permanent removal of vegetation would occur at structure sites and
substations. Construction would occur primarily in areas that have been previously disturbed, and
impacts to native vegetation communities are expected to be minimal. Most access would be
overland or along existing municipal or County roads, and minimal vegetation would be disturbed
from roads.
No drainages or wetlands would be impacted by the transmission lines or substation.
The agriculture areas are likely to support a variety of common wildlife such as coyote, fox, skunk,
rabbits, and various birds. There is no designated critical wildlife habitat in the vicinity of the project
although suitable habitat may exist for the state-listed Western burrowing owl.
Prior to construction, Tri-State will conduct surveys for migratory birds and Western Burrowing Owls
(in prairie dog towns in the vicinity of the transmission lines and substation). If any nests for migratory
birds or any listed species are found, appropriate construction timing limitations will be enforced , as
feasible, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife recommendations. Where timing limitations or
setback cannot be applied due to timing constraints, other alternative mitigation measures would be
considered and vetted with CPW . If any federally-listed species are found , Tri-State will consult with
the U .S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) regarding avoidance and mitigation.
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.
Project impacts to wildlife are expected to be minimal and limited to temporary disturbance from
construction activities.
As part of the project, Tri-State will conduct a Class I archaeological database search of the Project
area, as well as a Class III pedestrian survey on properties where survey permission has been
granted and where significant disturbance has previously not occurred. Any sites found to be eligible
for listing on the National Heritage Research Partnership (NRHP) will be spanned and avoided by the
Project. There are no areas of geologic importance in the vicinity of the project.
Section 21-3-340.A. 14 — The nature and location or expansion of the facility, including expected
growth and development related to the operation and provision of service, will not significantly
deteriorate water or air quality in the impact area.
Construction would last approximately eleven months. Construction activities associated with the
proposed transmission line and substations 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 the substations,
and 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 and substations. Once construction activities have
USR15-0049
Tri-State Generation and Transmission - Southwest Weld Expansion Project Phase II, Page 11
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 (PM 0 ) . No air emissions would result from operation of the
transmission line or substations.
There would be no alteration in the pattern or intensity of surface drainage as a result of
construction or operation of the transmission line and all substations will have an approved
drainage plan .
Section 21-3-340.A. 15 — The geological and topographic features of the site are adequate for all
construction, clearing, grading, drainage, vegetation and other needs of the facility construction or
expansion.
The vicinity of the Project site is characterized by agricultural purposes, oil and gas development, and
rural residences. The surrounding vegetation is primarily disturbed grassland . Permanent removal of
vegetation would occur at structure sites and substations. Construction would occur primarily in areas
that have been previously disturbed , and impacts to native vegetation communities are expected to be
minimal.
Section 21-3-340.A. 16 — The existing water quality of affected state waters will not be degraded below
state and federal standards or established baseline levels.
There would be no direct impacts to water quality associated with regular operation or maintenance of
the transmission lines and substations. Drainage from the substations would be directed towards
detention pond(s) located on the substation properties. Drainage plans will be prepared for the
Rattlesnake Ridge Substation , the Milton Substation, and the Colfer Substation . Prior to construction ,
a Storm Water Permit for Construction Activities would be acquired from the CDPHE, where required.
Section 21-3-340.A. 17 — The proposed project will not have a significantly adverse net effect on the
capacities or functioning of streams, lakes and reservoirs in the impact area, nor on the permeability,
volume, recharge capability and depth of aquifers in the impact area.
According to the application, construction and maintenance of the transmission lines and
substations 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 Project. Project would not impact hydrologic flow of either surface
water or groundwater, nor would it affect groundwater recharge. Prior to construction, a Storm
Water Permit for Construction Activities would be acquired from the CDPHE, where required .
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 lines or substations.
Section 21-3-340.A. 18 — The benefits of the proposed developments outweigh the losses of any
natural resources or reduction of productivity of agricultural lands as a result of the proposed
development.
USR1S-0049
Tri-State Generation and Transmission - Southwest Weld Expansion Project Phase II, Page 12
The majority of the site consists of agricultural purposes, oil and gas development, and rural
residences. The facility will have limited impact on agricultural lands within the transmission line
corridor project site and minimal impact on future land use. Permanent facilities upon completion will
only cover approximately 81 acres.
Section 21-3-340.A. 19 — The applicant has obtained or will obtain all property rights, permits and
approvals necessary for the proposed project, including surface, mineral and water rights and
easements for drainage, disposal, utilities, access, etc. If the applicant has not obtained all necessary
property rights, permits and approvals, the Board may, at its discretion, grant the permit conditioned
upon completion of the acquisition of such rights prior to issuance of a zoning or building permit by the
County.
The application indicates that individual land lease agreements have been obtained or will be acquired
between Tri-State and the affected property owners. The applicant has obtained or will obtain all
property rights, permits and approvals necessary for the proposed project, including surface, mineral
and water rights and easements for drainage, disposal, utilities, access, et cetera, following approval
by the Board of County Commissioners.
Section 21-3-340.A. 20 — The proposed project (nonlinear facilities) will not present an unreasonable
risk of exposure to or release of toxic or hazardous substances within the impact area. The
determination of effects of the project shall include the following considerations:
a. The means by which outdoor storage facilities for fuel, raw materials, equipment and related
items are adequately enclosed by a fence or wall.
b. The likelihood of hazardous materials or wastes being moved off the site by natural causes or
forces.
c. Containment of inflammable or explosive liquids, solids or gases.
There would be temporary storage of construction materials at the four proposed Project staging
sites. 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 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 .
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. The Environmental
Health Department has added Development Standards No. 15 and 16 to address proper disposal of
waste materials.
Section 21-3-340.A. 21 — The scope and nature of the proposed project will not unnecessarily duplicate
existing services within the County.
The scope and nature of the proposed project will not unnecessarily duplicate existing services
within the county. The Project would involve construction of approximately 30.5 miles of new 230-
kV transmission lines originating at the Greenhouse Substation and terminating at the South Kersey
Substation . The new transmission lines would be constructed on steel structures within a 150 foot
right-of-way. The transmission line would consist of approximately 160-270 structures, with
conductors and phase wires, a shield wire, and an optical ground wire for internal Tri-State
communications.
USR15-0049
Tri-State Generation and Transmission - Southwest Weld Expansion Project Phase II, Page 13
The project will also include three new substations:
Colfer Substation-115/69/13.2-kV substation located on lands to be owned by Tri-State. The Co►fer
Substation will include a 115-kV six breaker ring bus, expandable to an inverted breaker and a half,
one 115/69/13.8kV 100 megavolt ampere (MVA) transformer, one 115/13.2kV 40 MVA transformer,
and four 115-kV transmission line bays.
Rattlesnake Ridge Substation-115/69/13.2-kV substation located on lands leased by United
Power. The Rattlesnake Ridge substation will include a ring bus (expandable to a breaker and a
half) with 4x 115-kV breakers, a single 115/13.2kV 40 MVA transformer, and one 115/69/13.8kV
100 MVA transformer.
Milton Substation-230/115-kV substation located on lands to be owned by Tri-State. The Milton
Substation will include one 230/115-kV 300 MVA transformer, three 230-kV breakers and three
115-kV breakers, expandable to an ultimate arrangement that will include a 115-kV inverted
breaker and a half and a 230-kV inverted breaker and a half. The substation will allow for future
expansion and additional 230-kV, 115-kV, or distribution level connections. There will initially be a
230-kV connection from the Phase I Greenhouse Substation and a 115-kV connection to a future
substation located just east of the Milton Substation (across County Road 49) called the Neres
Canal Substation . The Neres Canal Substation would be permitted by an oil and gas operator as
part of a proposed gas plant.
Site preparation at all of the substations will include grading , fencing , grounding, and construction
foundations. The addition of equipment to the South Kersey substation would include a breaker,
line position, and associated equipment (all located inside the existing fence boundary).
The Project also includes construction staging areas used for the duration of construction to store
equipment and stage construction located near the Davis Substation on County Road 18, near the
Rattlesnake Ridge Substation on County Roads 43 and 30, and at the proposed Colfer and South
Kersey Substations. Each staging area will have two construction trailers on-site for approximately
19 months, multiple storage containers, and other associated equipment.
The proposed transmission line and associated new substations will address a specific demand for
electricity from compressor facilities to meet their long term air attainment requirements. Further, there
is a vast development potential for oil and gas in this region , and this development is very dynamic and
evolving. Several different companies have indicated sizeable potential electrical loads in the area
beyond what is currently being considered . The applicant believes this line and associated substation
will serve the additional electrical loads in the area and would provide for future reliability needs and
operational flexibility under transmission contingencies, increasing the reliability to the loads in the
area.
Section 21-3-340.A. 22 — If the purpose and need for the proposed project are to meet the needs of an
increasing population within the County, the area and community development plans and population
trends demonstrate clearly a need for such development.
The purpose of the new transmission line and substation is to provide electric service the oil field and
anticipated residential development with electric energy that is reliable and operates efficiently while
helping to ensure an adequate and dependable supply of electrical power to meet the needs of for
future development.
This recommendation for one new 230/115-Kilovolt (kV) substation (Milton), two new 115/69/13.2-Kilovolt
(kV) substations (Colfer and Rattlesnake) approximately 30.5 miles of 230/115-kV transmission line is
based, in part, upon a review of the application materials submitted by the applicant, other relevant
information regarding the request, and responses from referral entities.
The Department of Planning Services' staff recommendation for approval is conditional upon the following :
USR1S-0049
Tri-State Generation and Transmission - Southwest Weld Expansion Project Phase II, Page 14
1 . Prior to recording the map:
A. A Final Drainage Report and Certification of Compliance stamped and signed by a
Professional Engineer registered in the State of Colorado is required for the Rattlesnake
Ridge substation. (Department of Planning Services-Engineer)
B. A copy of the signed and recorded (construction and post-construction) easement
agreements (or other acceptable authorization from property owners) shall be submitted
to the Department of Planning Services. (Department of Planning Services)
D. County Road 16 has been annexed by the City of Fort Lupton . The City has jurisdiction
over all accesses within their jurisdiction . Please contact the City to verify the access permit
or for any additional requirement that may be needed to obtain or upgrade the permit.
(Department of Planning Services)
E. The applicant shall submit a Floodplain Development Permit (FHDP) for all development
activities located within the special flood hazard area. The FEMA definition of development
is any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including by not limited to
buildings or other structures, mining , dredging , filling , grading , paving, excavation , drilling
operations, or storage of equipment and materials. (Department of Planning Services -
Floodplain)
G The map shall be amended to delineate the following :
1 . All sheets of the map shall be labeled USR15-0049. (Department of Planning
Services)
2. The map shall be prepared in accordance with Section 23-2-260. D of the Weld
County Code. (Department of Planning Services)
3. The attached Development Standards. (Department of Planning Services)
4. The final location of the permanent 100 to 150 foot transmission line easement with
dimension of permanent right-of-way, property ownership, parcel number, all
easements of record , and all physical encumbrances. (Department of Planning
Services)
5. County Roads 18, 32, 36, 38, 39 and 42 are designated on the Weld County Road
Classification Plan as gravel local roads, which require 60 feet of right-of-way at full
build out. All setbacks shall be measured from the edge of future right-of-way.
These roads are maintained by Weld County (Department of Planning Services —
Engineer)
6. County Road 37 is designated on the Weld County Road Classification Plan as
paved local roads, which require 60 feet of right-of-way at full build out. All
setbacks shall be measured from the edge of future right-of-way. This road is
maintained by Weld County. (Department of Planning Services — Engineer)
7. County Roads 34, 41 and 44 are designated on the Weld County Road
Classification Plan as a paved collector road , which requires 80 feet of right-of-way
at full build out. There is presently 60 feet of right-of-way. An additional 10 feet
shall be delineated on the plat as future right-of-way. All setbacks shall be
measured from the edge of future right-of-way. These roads are maintained by
Weld County. (Department of Planning Services — Engineer)
USR15-0049
Tri-State Generation and Transmission - Southwest Weld Expansion Project Phase II, Page 15
8. County Road 22 is designated on the Weld County Road Classification Plan as a
paved arterial road , which requires 140 feet of right-of-way at full build out. There is
presently 60 feet of right-of-way. An additional 70 feet shall be delineated on the
plat as future right-of-way. All setbacks shall be measured from the edge of future
right-of-way. This road is maintained by Weld County. (Department of Planning
Services — Engineer)
9. County Road 49 is designated on the Weld County Classification plan as an arterial
road which typically requires 140ft of right-of-way at full build out. Weld County is
currently in the process of widening this corridor. The alignment of the road
widening project varies along the section line for the corridor. Contact Public Works
for the location of the existing and future right of way and easements and delineate
these on the site plan . (Department of Planning Services-Engine er)
10. County Roads 20, 28, 30, 33, 35, 43, 45 and 47 Section Line is shown to have 30
feet of unmaintained section line right-of-way per the Weld County GIS right-of-way
map. The applicant shall delineate the existing right-of-way on the site plan . All
setbacks are measured from the edge of future right-of-way. (Department of Public
Works)
11 . County Roads 24, 26 and 40 Section Line is shown to have 60 feet of
unmaintained section line right-of-way per the Weld County GIS right-of-way map.
The applicant shall delineate the existing right-of-way on the site plan. All setbacks
are measured from the edge of future right-of-way. (Department of Public Works)
12. Please delineate the Colfer, Rattlesnake Ridge and South Kersey substation sites
to be utilized for the base of operations and construction staging areas associated
with this application. (Department of Planning Services)
13. Show the Weld County approved accesses on the map and label with the approved
access permit number. (Department of Planning Services — Engineer)
14. Show the floodplain and floodway (if applicable) boundaries on the map. Label the
floodplain boundaries with the FEMA Flood Zone and FEMA Map Panel Number or
appropriate study. (Department of Planning Services - Floodplain)
2. One month prior to construction activities:
A. The approved access and tracking control shall be constructed prior to on-site construction .
(Department of Planning Services-Engineer)
B. If more than one ( 1 ) acre is to be disturbed for construction of non-transmission line items
such as substations, structures, parking lots, laydown yards etc. . . , a Weld County grading
permit will be required. (Department of Planning Services-Engineer)
3. The applicant shall submit one (1 ) paper copy or one ( 1 ) electronic (.pdf) copy of the map for
preliminary approval to the Weld County Department of Planning Services. (Department of
Planning Services)
4. Upon completion of Conditions of Approval numbers 1 . , above the applicant shall submit a Mylar
map along with all other documentation required as Conditions of Approval. The Mylar map shall be
recorded in the office of the Weld County Clerk and Recorder by Department of Planning Services'
Staff. The map shall be prepared in accordance with the requirements of Section 23-2-390 of the
Weld County Code. The Mylar map and additional requirements shall be submitted within one
hundred twenty ( 120) days from the date of the Board of County Commissioners resolution . The
applicant shall be responsible for paying the recording fee. (Department of Planning Services)
USR1S-0049
Tri-State Generation and Transmission - Southwest Weld Expansion Project Phase II, Page 16
5. In accordance with Weld County Code Ordinance 2005-7 approved June 1 , 2005, should the map
not be recorded within the required one hundred twenty ( 120) days from the date the Board of
County Commissioners Resolution was signed a $50.00 recording continuance charge may be
added for each additional 3 month period .
6. The Department of Planning Services respectively requests the surveyor provide a digital copy of
this Use by Special Review. Acceptable CAD formats are .dwg , .dxf, and .dgn (Microstation);
acceptable GIS formats are ArcView shapefiles, Arcinfo Coverages and Arcinfo Export files format
type is .e00. The preferred format for Images is .tif (Group 4). (Group 6 is not acceptable). This
digitalfilemaybesenttomaps@co.weld .co.us. (Department of Planning Services)
7. The Use by Special Review activity shall not occur nor shall any building or electrical permits be
issued on the property until the Special Review map is ready to be recorded in the office of the
Weld County Clerk and Recorder. (Department of Planning Services)
USR15-0049
Tri-State Generation and Transmission - Southwest Weld Expansion Project Phase II, Page 17
SITE SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN
SPECIAL REVIEW PERMIT
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
Tri-State Generation and Transmission, Inc.
USR15-0049
1 . A Site Specific Development Plan and Use by Special Review Permit, USR15-0049, for a Major
Facility of a Public Utility or Public Agency approximately 9 miles of 230/115-kilovolt (kV)
transmission line from Tri-State's existing Greenhouse substation located near County Roads 31
and 14 to the proposed 115/69/13.2-kV Colfer Substation located near County Roads 45 and 18;
Approximately 8.5 miles of 230/115-kV transmission line from the proposed Colfer substation
north to the proposed 115/69/13.2-kV Rattlesnake Ridge substation located near County Roads
49 and 30; Approximately 9 miles of 230/115-kV transmission line between the proposed
Rattlesnake Ridge substation and the proposed 230/115-kV Milton substation located near
County Roads 49 and 44; Approximately 4 miles of 230/115-kV transmission line between the
proposed Milton substation and the existing South Kersey substation located near the intersection
of county Roads 51 and 50, including the addition of a circuit breaker, line position, and
associated equipment inside the fence of Tri-State's existing South Kersey substation, subject to
the provisions of Section 23-4-420 of the Weld County Code and facility construction laydown
yards near the Greenhouse, Colfer, Rattlesnake Ridge and South Kersey substations (consisting
of two construction trailers, multiple storage containers and other associated equipment) in the A
(Agricultural) Zone District, subject to the Development Standards stated hereon, - Tri-State
Generation & Transmission Association / Southwest Weld Expansion Project Phase II
(Department of Planning Services)
2. Approval of this plan may create a vested property right pursuant to Section 23-8-10 of the Weld
County Code. (Department of Planning Services)
3. The historical flow patterns and runoff amounts will be maintained on site. (Department of
Planning Services - Engineer)
4. There shall be no parking or staging of vehicles on County Roads. On-site parking shall be
utilized. (Department of Planning Services - Engineer)
5. Should noxious weeds exist on the property or become established as a result of the proposed
development, the applicant/landowner shall be responsible for controlling the noxious weeds,
pursuant to Section 15-1 -180 of the Weld County Code. (Department of Planning Services -
Engineer)
6. The substation sites shall be maintained to mitigate any impacts to the public road including
damages and/or offsite tracking. (Department of Planning Services Engineering)
7. Weld County is not responsible for the maintenance of onsite drainage related features.
(Department of Planning Services-Engineer)
8. Access will be along unmaintained County right-of-way and maintenance of the right-of-way will
not be the responsibility of Weld County. (Department of Planning Services-Engineer)
9. The contractor will utilize a location near the Greenhouse, Colfer, Rattlesnake Ridge and South
Kersey sites for its base of operations and construction staging areas. (Department of Planning
Services)
USR15-0049
Tri-State Generation and Transmission - Southwest Weld Expansion Project Phase II, Page 18
10. A Right-of-Way Permit will be required at each County Road crossing , along with approved
signing details. (Department of Planning Services)
11 . Construction office trailers and storage trailers and electrical services to the trailers are subject to
building permits per Section 29-3-10 of the Weld County Code. (Department of Building
Inspection)
12. All liquid and solid wastes (as defined in the Solid Wastes Disposal Sites and Facilities Act,
30-20-100.5, C. R.S. , as amended) shall be stored and removed for final disposal in a manner that
protects against surface and groundwater contamination. (Department of Public Health and
Environment)
13. No permanent disposal of wastes shall be permitted at this site. This is not meant to include
those wastes specifically excluded from the definition of a solid waste in the Solid Wastes
Disposal Sites and Facilities Act, 30-20-100.5, C. R.S. , as amended . (Department of Public Health
and Environment)
14. Waste materials shall be handled , stored , and disposed in a manner that controls fugitive dust,
fugitive particulate emissions, blowing debris, and other potential nuisance conditions. The facility
shall operate in accordance with the approved "waste handling plan", at all times. (Department of
Public Health and Environment)
15. Fugitive dust and fugitive particulate emissions shall be controlled along the construction route.
The facility shall operate in accordance with the approved "dust abatement plan", at all times.
(Department of Public Health and Environment)
16. Adequate toilet facilities (portable toilets) and handwashing units shall be provided during
construction of the project. (Department of Public Health and Environment)
17. Environmental Protection Measures for Construction Projects, as identified in the application ,
shall be adhered to by Tri-State Generation and Transmission and successors. (Department of
Public Health and Environment)
18. This facility shall adhere to the maximum permissible noise levels allowed in the Non-Specified
Zone as delineated in Section 14-9-30 of the Weld County Code. (Department of Public Health
and Environment)
19. A Flood Hazard Development Permit is required for all construction or development occurring in
the floodplain or floodway as delineated on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
FIRM Community Panel Map #08123C- 1975 effective date January 20, 2016 (Box Elder Creek
Floodplain). Any development shall comply with all applicable Weld County requirements,
Colorado Water Conservation Board requirements as described in Rules and Regulations for
Regulatory Floodplains in Colorado, and FEMA regulations and requirements as described in 44
CFR parts 59, 60, and 65. The FEMA definition of development is any man-made change to
improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures,
mining , dredging, filling , grading, paving , excavation , drilling operations, or storage of equipment
and materials. (Department of Planning Services - Floodplain)
20. The operation shall comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the State and Federal
agencies and the Weld County Code. (Department of Public Health and Environment)
21 . Building Permits issued on the proposed lots will be required to adhere to the fee structure of the
County-wide Road Impact Fee Program . (Department of Planning Services)
USR15-0049
Tri-State Generation and Transmission - Southwest Weld Expansion Project Phase II, Page 19
22. Building Permits issued on the proposed lots, will be required to adhere to the fee structure of the
County Facility Fee and Drainage Impact Fee Programs. (Department of Planning Services)
23. The property owner or operator shall be responsible for complying with the Design Standards of
Section 23-2-240, Weld County Code. (Department of Planning Services)
24. The property owner or operator shall be responsible for complying with the Operation Standards
of Section 23-2-250, Weld County Code. (Department of Planning Services)
25. Necessary personnel from the Weld County Departments of Planning Services, Public Works,
and Public Health and Environment shall be granted access onto the property at any reasonable
time in order to ensure the activities carried out on the property comply with the Conditions of
Approval and Development Standards stated herein and all applicable Weld County regulations.
(Department of Planning Services)
26. The Use by Special Review area shall be limited to the plans shown hereon and governed by the
foregoing standards and all applicable Weld County regulations. Substantial changes from the
plans or Development Standards as shown or stated shall require the approval of an amendment
of the Permit by the Weld County Board of County Commissioners before such changes from the
plans or Development Standards are permitted . Any other changes shall be filed in the office of
the Department of Planning Services. (Department of Planning Services)
27. The property owner or operator shall be responsible for complying with all of the foregoing
Development Standards. Noncompliance with any of the foregoing Development Standards may
be reason for revocation of the Permit by the Board of County Commissioners. (Department of
Planning Services)
28. RIGHT TO EXTRACT MINERAL RESOURCES STATEMENT:
Weld County has some of the most abundant mineral resources, including , but not limited to,
sand and gravel , oil, natural gas, and coal. Under title 34 of the Colorado Revised Statutes,
minerals are vital resources because (a) the state's commercial mineral deposits are essential to
the state's economy; (b) the populous counties of the state face a critical shortage of such
deposits; and (c) such deposits should be extracted according to a rational plan , calculated to
avoid waste of such deposits and cause the least practicable disruption of the ecology and quality
of life of the citizens of the populous counties of the state.
29. WELD COUNTY'S RIGHT TO FARM : Weld County is one of the most productive agricultural
counties in the United States, typically ranking in the top ten counties in the country in total
market value of agricultural products sold. The rural areas of Weld County may be open and
spacious, but they are intensively used for agriculture. Persons moving into a rural area must
recognize and accept there are drawbacks, including conflicts with long-standing agricultural
practices and a lower level of services than in town . Along with the drawbacks come the
incentives which attract urban dwellers to relocate to rural areas: open views, spaciousness,
wildlife, lack of city noise and congestion, and the rural atmosphere and way of life. Without
neighboring farms, those features which attract urban dwellers to rural Weld County would quickly
be gone forever.
Agricultural users of the land should not be expected to change their long-established agricultural
practices to accommodate the intrusions of urban users into a rural area. Well-run agricultural
activities will generate off-site impacts, including noise from tractors and equipment; slow-moving
farm vehicles on rural roads; dust from animal pens, field work, harvest and gravel roads; odor
from animal confinement, silage and manure; smoke from ditch burning ; flies and mosquitoes;
hunting and trapping activities; shooting sports, legal hazing of nuisance wildlife; and the use of
pesticides and fertilizers in the fields, including the use of aerial spraying. It is common practice
U S R 15-0049
Tri-State Generation and Transmission - Southwest Weld Expansion Project Phase II, Page 20
for agricultural producers to utilize an accumulation of agricultural machinery and supplies to
assist in their agricultural operations. A concentration of miscellaneous agricultural materials
often produces a visual disparity between rural and urban areas of the County. Section 35-3.5-
102, C.R.S., provides that an agricultural operation shall not be found to be a public or private
nuisance if the agricultural operation alleged to be a nuisance employs methods or practices that
are commonly or reasonably associated with agricultural production.
Water has been, and continues to be, the lifeline for the agricultural community. It is unrealistic to
assume that ditches and reservoirs may simply be moved "out of the way" of residential
development. When moving to the County, property owners and residents must realize they
cannot take water from irrigation ditches, lakes, or other structures, unless they have an
adjudicated right to the water.
Weld County covers a land area of approximately four thousand (4,000) square miles in size
(twice the size of the State of Delaware) with more than three thousand seven hundred (3,700)
miles of state and County roads outside of municipalities. The sheer magnitude of the area to be
served stretches available resources. Law enforcement is based on responses to complaints
more than on patrols of the County, and the distances which must be traveled may delay all
emergency responses, including law enforcement, ambulance, and fire. Fire protection is usually
provided by volunteers who must leave their jobs and families to respond to emergencies.
County gravel roads, no matter how often they are bladed, will not provide the same kind of
surface expected from a paved road. Snow removal priorities mean that roads from subdivisions
to arterials may not be cleared for several days after a major snowstorm . Services in rural areas,
in many cases, will not be equivalent to municipal services. Rural dwellers must, by necessity, be
more self-sufficient than urban dwellers.
People are exposed to different hazards in the County than in an urban or suburban setting.
Farm equipment and oil field equipment, ponds and irrigation ditches, electrical power for pumps
and center pivot operations, high speed traffic, sandburs, puncture vines, territorial farm dogs and
livestock, and open burning present real threats. Controlling children's activities is important, not
only for their safety, but also for the protection of the farmer's livelihood.
USR15-0049
Tri-State Generation and Transmission - Southwest Weld Expansion Project Phase II, Page 21
'V1 ft DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING SERVICES
> 86Wie 1555 N 17th AVE
u!W GREELEY, CO 80631
WEBSITE: www.co.weld.co.us
E-MAIL:0v PHONE: (970) 353-6100, Ext. 3549
C 0 U N.2 FAX: (970) 304-6498
1
October 13, 2015
KOLER SELINA
1100 W. 116th Ave
Westminser, CO 80234
Subject: USR15-0049 - A Site Specific Development Plan and Use by Special Review Permit for a Major
Facility of a Public Utility or Public Agency (approximately 30.5 miles of transmission lines) and facility
construction laydown yards near the Greenhouse, Colfer, Rattlesnake Ridge and South Kersey
substations (consisting of two construction trailers, multiple storage containers and other associated
equipment) in the A (Agricultural) Zone District
On parcel(s) of land described as:
Commencing at the Greenhouse substation located within the Corporate City Limits of Fort Lupton in
Section 34, T2N, R66W then crossing Sections 35, 26, and 25, T2N, R66W and then into Sections 30,
29, 28, 27, and 22, T2N, R65W into the Colfer Substation. Commencing at the Colfer substation
heading into Section 22, T2N , R65W and crossing Sections 15, 10, 11 , and 2, T2N , R65W and entering
Section 35, T3N , R65 and crossing into Section 36 and 25, T3N, R65W into the Rattlesnake Ridge
substation. From Section 26, T3N, R65W the transmission line enters Section 30, T3N , R64W then
crosses through Sections 30, 19, 18, 7 and 6, T3N , R64W and into Section 1 , T3N , R65W then crossing
Sections 36 and 25, T4N , R65W then entering Section 30, T4N , R64W and crossing Sections 30, 24,
and 14, T4N, R65W into the Milton substation. Commencing at the Milton substation entering Section
18, T4N , R64W and crossing Sections 7 and 6, T4N , R65W and then entering Section 32, T5N , R65W
and terminating at the South Kersey substation.
Dear Applicants:
I have scheduled a meeting with the Weld County Planning Commission on November 3, 2015, at 12:30
p.m. A subsequent hearing with the Board of County Commissioners will be held on December 16,
2015 at 10:00 a.m . Both hearings will be held in the Hearing Room, Weld County Administration
Building, 1150 O Street, Greeley, Colorado. It is recommended that you and/or a representative be in
attendance to answer any questions the Planning Commission members or Board of County
Commissioners may have.
Colorado Revised Statute, C. R.S.24-65.5-103 (adopted as part of H . B.01 -1088) requires notification of
all mineral estate owners 30 days prior to any public hearing. The applicant needs to provide the Weld
County Planning Department with written certification indicating the above requirement has been met.
A representative from the Department of Planning Services will be out to the property a minimum of ten
days prior to the hearing to post a sign adjacent to and visible from a publicly maintained road
right-of-way which identifies the hearing time, date, and location . In the event the property is not
adjacent to a publicly maintained road right-of-way, one sign will be posted in the most prominent place
on the property and a second sign posted at the point at which the driveway (access drive) intersects a
publicly maintained road right-of-way.
The Department of Planning Services' staff will make a recommendation concerning this application to
the Weld County Planning Commission and will be included in the staff report one week prior to the
scheduled Planning Commission hearing. You may view the staff report at
www.weldcountyplanningcases.org
Page 2 of 4
If you have any questions concerning this matter, please call.
Respectfully,
14 Digitally signed by Kristine Pans!em
Reason: I am the author of thisdocument
Date: 2015.10.13 08:26:35 -06'00'
Kim Ogle
Planner
1861 DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING SERVICES
iHtio
1555 N 17th AVE
7j .
GREELEY, CO 80631
,� � WEBSITE: www.co.weld.co.us
"•• E-MAIL: kogle@co.weld.co.us
�� e
i J� PHONE: (970) 353-6100, Ext. 3549
� N T Y FAX: (970) 304-6498
August 21 , 2015
KOLER SELINA
1100 W 116TH AVE
WESTMINSER, CO 80234
Subject: USR15-0049 - A Site Specific Development Plan and Use by Special Review Permit for a Major
Facility of a Public Utility or Public Agency (approximately 30.5 miles of transmission lines) and facility
construction laydown yards near the Greenhouse, Colfer, Rattlesnake Ridge and South Kersey
substations (consisting of two construction trailers, multiple storage containers and other associated
equipment) in the A (Agricultural) Zone District
On parcel(s) of land described as:
Commencing at the Greenhouse substation located within the Corporate City Limits of Fort Lupton
in Section 34, T2N , R66W then crossing Sections 35, 26, and 25, T2N , R66W and then into
Sections 30, 29, 28, 27, and 22 , T2N , R65W into the Colfer Substation. Commencing at the Colfer
substation heading into Section 22 , T2N , R65W and crossing Sections 15, 10, 11 , and 2 , T2N ,
R65W and entering Section 35, T3N , R65 and crossing into Section 36 and 25, T3N , R65W into
the Rattlesnake Ridge substation. From Section 26, T3N , R65W the transmission line enters
Section 30, T3N , R64W then crosses through Sections 30, 19, 18, 7 and 6, T3N , R64W and into
Section 1 , T3N , R65W then crossing Sections 36 and 25, T4N , R65W then entering Section 30,
T4N , R64W and crossing Sections 30, 24, and 14, T4N , R65W into the Milton substation .
Commencing at the Milton substation entering Section 18, T4N , R64W and crossing Sections 7
and 6, T4N , R65W and then entering Section 32, T5N , R65W and terminating at the South Kersey
substation.
Dear Applicants:
Your application and related materials for the request described above are complete and in order at this
time. I will schedule a meeting with you at the end of the review period to discuss the referral
comments received by our office.
It is the policy of Weld County to refer an application of this nature to any town or municipality lying
within three miles of the property in question or if the property under consideration is located within the
comprehensive planning area of a town or municipality. Therefore, our office has forwarded a copy of
the submitted materials to the following Planning Commission(s) for their review and comments:
Fort Lupton at Phone Number 303-857-6694
Hudson at Phone Number 303-536-9311
Kersey at Phone Number 970-353-1681
Please call the listed Planning Commissions, for information regarding the date, time and place of the
meeting and the review process. It is recommended that you and/or a representative be in attendance at
each of the meetings described above in order to answer any questions that might arise with respect to
your application.
If you have any questions concerning this matter, please call .
Respectfully,
d'AGtg—, Digitally signed by Kristine Ranslem
Ftason : I am the author of thisdocument
Date: 2015.08.21 0847:01 -06'00'
Kim Ogle
Planner
x , 1861 ,"gm, MEMORANDUM
IA = TO: Kim Ogle DATE: September 23, 2015
1/AtG ti T zi_( FROM : Diana Aungst, CFM
SUBJECT: USR15-0049, Tri-State Generation and Transmission , Inc
PROJECT:
A Site Specific Development Plan and Use by Special Review Permit for a Major Facility of a Public Utility
or Public Agency approximately 9 miles of 230/115-kilovolt (kV) transmission line from Tri-State's existing
Greenhouse substation located near County Roads 31 and 14 to the proposed 115/69/13.2-kV Colfer
Substation located near County Roads 45 and 18; Approximately 8.5 miles of 230/115-kV transmission
line from the proposed Colfer substation north to the proposed 115/69/13.2-kV Rattlesnake Ridge
substation located near County Roads 49 and 30; Approximately 9 miles of 230/115-kV transmission line
between the proposed Rattlesnake Ridge substation and the proposed 230/115-kV Milton substation
located near County Roads 49 and 44; Approximately 4 miles of 230/115-kV transmission line between
the proposed Milton substation and the existing South Kersey substation located near the intersection of
county Roads 51 and 50, including the addition of a circuit breaker, line position, and associated
equipment inside the fence of Tri-State's existing South Kersey substation , subject to the provisions of
Section 23-4-420 of the Weld County Code and facility construction laydown yards near the Greenhouse,
Colfer, Rattlesnake Ridge and South Kersey substations (consisting of two construction trailers, multiple
storage containers and other associated equipment) in the A (Agricultural) Zone District (Tri-State
Generation and Transmission, Inc. )
PARCEL: Many
COMMENT:
This is for a transmission line from south of Kersey to Aristocrat Ranchettes. The transmission line
encroaches into the Box Elder floodplain between CR 30 and CR 28.
CONDITION OF APPROVAL:
The applicant shall submit a Floodplain Development Permit (FHDP) for all development activities
located within the special flood hazard area. The FEMA definition of development is any man-made
change to improved or unimproved real estate, including by not limited to buildings or other
structures, mining , dredging , filling, grading, paving , excavation , drilling operations, or storage of
equipment and materials. (Department of Planning Services - Floodplain)
DELINEATE ON THE USR MAP:
Show the floodplain and floodway (if applicable) boundaries on the map. Label the floodplain
boundaries with the FEMA Flood Zone and FEMA Map Panel Number or appropriate study.
(Department of Planning Services - Floodplain)
DEVELOPMENT STANDARD:
A Flood Hazard Development Permit is required for all construction or development occurring in the
floodplain or floodway as delineated on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) FIRM
Community Panel Map #08123C-1975 effective date January 20, 2016 (Box Elder Creek Floodplain).
Any development shall comply with all applicable Weld County requirements, Colorado Water
Conservation Board requirements as described in Rules and Regulations for Regulatory Floodplains
in Colorado, and FEMA regulations and requirements as described in 44 CFR parts 59, 60, and 65.
The FEMA definition of development is any man-made change to improved or unimproved real
estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling , grading ,
paving, excavation, drilling operations, or storage of equipment and materials. (Department of
Planning Services - Floodplain)
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