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Home My WebLink About790472.tiff RESOLUTION RE: REQUEST FOR FEASIBILITY STUDY CONCERNING PLATTE RIVER POWER AUTHORITY RAWHIDE TRANSMISSION LINES. WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, pursuant to Colorado statute and the Weld County Home Rule Charter, is vested with the authority of administering the affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and WHEREAS, the Platte River Power Authority has requested permission to install rawhide transmission lines in Weld County, Colorado, and WHEREAS, it has been recommended that said transmission lines be installed along the County line route (Weld County Road 13) , and WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado feels that the County line route would not be appropri- ate for the installation of said transmission lines, and WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners have requested that a feasibilty study be conducted on Weld County Road 17 for said installation of transmission lines. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado hereby requests that a feasibility study be conducted on Weld County Road 17 concern- ing the installation of rawhide transmission lines by the Platte River Power Authority. The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded, adopted by the following vote on the 6th day of June, A.D. , 1979. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ATTEST: kli(lChu 'Y IELD COUNTY, COLORADO V Weld County Clerk and Recorder a lerk to the B d BY 1,-1--- 10,—i uxj deputy County lerk �� ' �,,2,e fy - J � c A ED AS TO re(/!�/ f C-f'/l7//%J�f /1� County Attorney DATE PRESENTED: JUNE 11, 1979 7w)47 ! f BEFORE 1iL WELD COUNTY, COLORADO PLANNING LuMMISSION RESOLUTION OF RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Date April 3, 1979 Case No. SUP# 380:79:2 APPLICATION OF Platte River Power Authority ADDRESS Timberline and Horsetooth Roads, Fort Collins, CO 80521 Moved by Jerry Kiefer that the following resolution be introduced for passage by the Weld County Planning Commission: Be it Resolved by the Weld County Planning Commission that the appli- cation for site approval of Transmission Line covering the following described property in Weld County, Colorado, to-wit: with Development Standards be recommended (favorably)/ AVi ) to the Board of County Commissioners for the following reasons: It is the opinion of the Planning Commission that the primary reason for presenting new alternatives (as presented in the Supplement Rawhide Energy Project Transmission Line Siting prepared by EDAW, Inc, November, 1978) was to decrease aesthetic impacts on residential uses at the southern extremity of the County Line Route. The new alternatives presented may provide relief to those residences along the County Line Route, however, other impacts will occur to Weld County resources from the proposed alternatives. (1) It is the opinion of the Planning Commission that impacts to regional aesthetics can best be minimized by location of the transmission line to the westerly edge of the proposed alternatives, Motion seconded by Fred Otis Vote: For Passage Percy Hiatt Against Passage Jim Gilbert Fred Otis Frank Suckla Jerry Kiefer Bette Kountz Chuck Carlson The Chairman declared the Resolution passed and ordered that a certified copy be forwarded with the file of this case to the Board of County Commissioners for further proceedings. CERTIFICATION OF COPY I, Shirley A. Phillips , Recording Secretary of the Weld County Planning Commission, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing Resolution is a true copy of the Resolution of the Planning Commission of Weld County, Color- ado, adopted on April 3, 1070 and recorded in Book No. - "I of the proceedings of the said Planning Commission. Dated the 4 day of April , 1979 . - Secretary \, I Platte River Power Authority SUP-380 : 79 :2 PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION April 3, 1979 (2) Based upon the staff ' s land use inventory and applicant 's submitted data, it is the opinion of the Planning Commission that significantly increased impacts to arable land, both irrigated and non-irrigated, will occur by locating the transmission line on any alternative or alternative combinations east of the County Line Route . Approximately 90% of the applicants preferred route will be adjacent to or traverse arable lands . Approximately 25% of the County Line Route will require traversing arable lands . (3) Because there is no existing drainage pattern which extends adjacent to the proposed route alternatives through which it could be aligned, the Planning Commission feels it would be most appropriate to utilize an existing public right-of-way in which to align the transmission line in an effort to maintain the least disruption of orderly relationships . (4) A significant major water body suited for public recreation pursuits, Black Hollow Reservoir, will be impacted by the applicant ' s preferred route. The line will be located on the reservoir ' s western shores . It is the opinion of the Planning Commission that the interests of the County and the general public would best be served by locating the transmission line along the westerly County Line Route which would not impact large bodies of water in a similar manner. (5) It is the opinion of the Planning Commission that in the future additional transmission facilities may be required to locate in the northwestern portion of the County. As long as a reasonable alternative exists to locate proposed transmission lines as far westerly as possible . Potential right-of-way for future routes must be preserved so that reasonable choices govern future transmission line siting. (6) The Planning Commission feels that residences located along the southern portion of the County Line Route may be impacted by the transmission line located westerly and in close proximity to them. It is the Planning Commission ' s opinion that the applicant can adjust pole locations such that the line may deviate 200 ' to 300 ' from the County Line in order to pass onthe east side of the various pockets of residential improvements . The method may provide for the aesthetic relief of the impacted property owner. There may, however, be two residences located too far east of the proposed County Line alternative to be bypassed. a 1 t • Rawhide Energy Project DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS 1. The route shall be the route designated as the County Line Route . Portions of said route located in Weld County shall have a 300 foot corridor from the west County line in which to locate the facilities . 2. Wherever practicable, waste, drainage and range lands shall be utilized to locate the transmission line structures . Arable lands should be impacted only when no practicable alternative exists. 3. The location for individual structures shall be coordinated with the individual landowners. Particular attention and coordination is needed in cultivated areas , potential irrigable areas, and areas immediately adjacent to residences . 4 . The applicant shall file for an Underground and Utility Easement Permit with the Weld County Engineering Department prior to construction for any lines being located in or across County right-of-way. 5. No strucutres shall be placed in County right-of-way unless approved by the Weld County Engineering Department . 6. Platte River Power Authority shall comply with the provisions of the Board of County Commissioner ' s resolution dated December 27 , 1972 entitled "Regulating Installation of Overhead Utility Lines Across County Roads" . 7. Final review of route locations, where the line crosses or parallels State Highway ROW, is to be made by State Highway Department . An Interstate Utility Crossing Permit will be required. See State Department of Highways letter dated November 23, 1978 . 8. Subsequent to Board of County Commissioners route approval the route location will be submitted on a 24" x 36" mylar. The document shall also include certification to be completed by the Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners and a Certificate of Responsibility to be completed by the applicant . The standards and limitations approved by the Board of County Commissioners shall be affixed to the document . Upon completion of the document and signatures , the document shall be filed with the Weld County Clerk and Recorder. The Weld County Planning Couuuission held a scheduled meeting on April 3 , 1979 at 1 :30 p.m. in the Weld County Centennial Center County Commissioners Hearing Room, first floor, 915 10th Street, Greeley, Colorado. Roll Call was as follows : Chuck Carlson Present Jerry Kiefer Present Frank Suckla Present Jim Gilbert Present (afternoon only) Fred Otis Present (afternoon only) Percy Hiatt Present Irma White - Present Bette Kountz Present Ben Nix Absent As a quorum was present, the meeting proceeded as scheduled. Chairman Carlson called for a motion to approve the minutes of March 20, 1979. Mrs. Bette Kountz made a motion to accept the minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Percy Hiatt. All present cast a unanimous vote of "aye" to accept the minutes . APPLICANT: Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. CASE NUMBER: CUP-44 :79 :4 LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Pt. NE4i Section 6, T7N, R66W LOCATION: 4 miles west and 1Z mile north of the Town of Ault SUBJECT: Microwave Tower Site APPEARANCE : Frank Niesen DISCUSSION: Mr. Niesen stated that Tri-State is a non-profit corporation owned by 25 REA' s in the states of Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska. They generate, purchase and transmit power to local REA' s which in turn transmit and sell to the individual homeowners and businesses . As part of their long-range planning they have designed and hope to build a private microwave system consisting of 32 towers in the three-state area. This 100 ' tower is part of that system. It will receive and transmit a microwave signal between similar facilities . The application has FCC and FAA approval and will pose no danger to humans or animals and will not interfere with radio and television reception. There being no questions at this time, Tom Honn read the staff ' s recommendation for approval and the Development Standards . Mrs . White then asked how much traffic would be generated around the site. Mr. Niesen responded that traffic would be very minimal as there would be only 6 - 8 vists to the site per year for maintenance purposes . Mrs . White indicated she saw no problem with it upon her site review of the proposal . MOTION: Be it therefore resolved to recommend approval with the Development Standards to the Board of County Commissioners based on the staff' s recommendation. Motion by Jerry Kiefer, seconded by Bette Kountz. A vote of "aye" was cast by Percy Hiatt, Jerry Kiefer, Frank Suckla, Irma White, Bette Kountz, and Chuck Carlson. Motion carried. APPLICANT: Eugene Brownwood CASE NUMBER: SUP-381 :79 :3 LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Pt. E2 SW4f Section 11, T4N, R67W LOCATION: Approximately Z mile south of the Town of Milliken SUBJECT: Dairy Planning Coinuuissia linutes Page 2 April 3 , 1979 DISCUSSION: The applicant was not present at this meeting as he is aware of the staff' s recommendation for continuing the application and is working on developing some additional materials . At this time Tom Honn read the staff' s recommendation for continuing the application to the April 17 , 1979 meeting. The concern at this time is basically with the drainage on the property. The Little Thompson Ditch is located south of the proposed site and has a history of flooding and run-off. This is of concern to the School District and the Engineering Department. Mr. Hiatt commented that this is a problem and could possibly be solved by berming around the area. Discussion followed. MOTION: Be it therefore resolved to continue the application to the April 17 , 1979 Planning Commission meeting based on the staff' s recommendation. Motion by Jerry Kiefer, seconded by Percy Hiatt. A vote of "aye" was cast by Percy Hiatt, Jerry Kiefer, Frank Suckla, Irma White, Bette Kountz, and Chuck Carlson_ Motion carried. APPLICANT : Charles Peterson, et al CASE NUMBER: S-158 :79 :3 LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Pt. SW4, Section 16, T5N, R66W LOCATION: Northeast corner of the intersection of 71st Avenue and the north frontage road of U. S . Highway 34 Bypass SUBJECT: Final Plat - Peterson/Alexander Subdivision APPEARANCE : Harlan Stientjes DISCUSSION: Mr. Stientjes stated that the final plat has not changed since the preliminary plan was presented to the Planning Commission. He was aware of several conditions by the Planning Staff that must be accomplished prior to recording the final plat in their recommendation. One of the conditions was the matter of a variance. Mr. Stientjes requested that this be withdrawn. There was also the matter of the applicant paying a fee for public sites and/or open spaces . The Alexander ' s presently reside on Lot 4 and have already paid $200 for the park fee and requested that this amount be deducted from the original fee which was in the amount of $1 , 834. 00. There being no questions at this time, Tom Honn read the staff' s recommendation for approval . Tom indicated he was not aware of the $200 previously paid by the Alexander ' s, but that this would be resolved at the County Commissioners hearing. MOTION: Be it therefore resolved to recommend approval to the Board of County Commissioners with the condition that the original amount of $1,834. 00 for the park fee be reduced $200 as this amount has already been paid by the owners of Lot 4. A vote of "aye" was cast by Percy Hiatt, Jim Gilbert, Fred Otis, Jerry Kiefer, Frank Suckla, Irma White, Bette Kountz, and Chuck Carlson. Motion carried. APPLICANT: Harold and Fred Reese CASE NUMBER: S-159 :79 :4 LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Pt. EZ SE4f Section 10 and Pt. NE4 NE4, Section 15, T2N, R68W LOCATION: 1 mile south of Colorado Highway 119 on the west side of 1-25, directly south of Del Camino Mobile Home Park SUBJECT: Preliminary Plan - I-25 Subdivision Planning Commission 'mutes . Page 3 April 3 , 1979 DISCUSSION: This proposed commercial subdivision is on 72. 94 acres of property with 23 lots proposed. The preliminary plan was presented and reviewed by the Weld County Utilities Advisory Committee on March 29. The application was tabled for revisions on the plat. Bill Shade, attorney representing the applicants, stated that he does not agree with the Planning Staff in delaying this request any longer because of the Utility Board tabling decision and also because these are minor problems ' that can be worked out. He also mentioned that there is a 30' access easement along the north side of the property running the entire length of the property which belongs to the Camenishes. Plans are to take part of the easement and overlay it iwth a public street. He said this would in no way involve the Camenishes or be of concern to them. This should be a matter for the County Attorney to advise the Board of County Commissioners in this regard. Tom Honn then responded that the Planning Staff did not have adequate time to fully consider and review the proposal which is another reason for the requested delay in making a decision. The concerns of the Highway Department and the Engineering Department must also be considered before a final decision is made by the Planning Staff. He then read the staff' s recommendation for continuing the preliminary plan to April 17 , 1979 and approval of the Unit Development plan. He stated that this is a Unit Development which was left off the AGenda. Discussion followed. The subject was then brought up by Frank Suckla regarding the water table. Virginia Jaskot, water engineer, explained that an evapotranspiration system will be used, but it is not exactly known at this time the types and what size uses will be needed. Mr. Gilbert asked if the concerns of the Longmont Fire Protection District have been addressed. Mrs. Jaskot responded that they have seen the revised plan with the fire hydrants relocated. Discussion followed regarding the access easement. Mr. Camenish, land owner to the west and also owner of the access easement, stated that he was not notified of the proposal regarding the easement until the day before the Planning Couuuission hearing. He also has never seen any drainage plans, etc. and not well informed regarding the proposal . Mr. Shade responded that it does not disturb their access and they have no right to interfere with this development. Mr. Camenish was also concerned with the waste water disposal . Jim Westerfelt, potential purchaser of property, stated he did not like the delay as the County has had enough time to iron things out. MOTION: Be it therefore resolved to continue the hearing to the April 17 , 1979 Planning Commission hearing based on the staff' s recommendation for the preliminary plan. Motion by Jim Gilbert. seconded by Frank Suckla. A vote of "aye" was cast by Percy Hiatt, Fred Otis , Jerry Kiefer, Frank Suckla, Irma White, Bette Kountz, and Chuck Carlson. MOTION: Be it therefore resolved to recommend approval of the Unit Development Plan to the Board of County Commissioners based on the staff' s recommendation. Motion by Jim Gilbert, seconded by Jerry Kiefer. A vote of "aye" was cast by Percy Hiatt, Jim Gilbert, Fred Otis , Jerry Kiefer, Frank Suckla, Irma White, Bette 'Kountz , and Chuck Carlson. Motion carried. `Planning Commissioi mutes Page 4 April 3 , 199 APPLICANT• Augustine Arguello CASE NUMBER: Z-318 :79 :2 LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Pt. SE4 NW4f Section 30, T5N, R65W LOCATION: Adiacent to the west perimeter on the north side of 42nd Street SUBJECT: Change of Zone from "A" to "C" APPEARANCE : Sam Telep DISCUSSION: Mr. Telep stated that the Arguello ' s desire to have a cohiuiercial operation for a shop and office for their curb, gutter and sidewalk company. He briefly told the Planning Commission what is surrounding the proposal. There being no questions at this time, Tom Honn read the staff' s recommendation for approval of the request. Mr. Telep then commented that there will be 30 on each side of the property line for a road should the necessity arise in the future. There were no further comments or questions. MOTION: Be it therefore resolved to recommend approval based on the staff' s recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners . Motion by Percy Hiatt, seconded by Jerry Kiefer. A vote of "aye" was cast by Percy Hiatt, Fred Otis, Jerry Kiefer, Frank Suckla, Irma White, Bette Kountz and Chuck Carlson. Jim Gilbert cast an abstention vote. Motion carried. APPLICANT: Platte River Power Authority CASE NUMBER: SUP-380:79:2 LOCATION: 16 miles long from 8 miles west of Nunn and 22 miles north of Windsor to 6 miles north of Windsor near Black Hollow Reservoir SUBJECT: Transmission Line APPEARANCE : Brian Blakely, attorney; Bill Slimak, Director of Engineeri • Herb Shaw, EDAW, Inc. ' DISCUSSION: Mr. Blakely first stated that the four cities of Fort Collins, Estes Park, Loveland and Longmont have obtained their electrical power from the Federal government. This invovled hydroelectric power . These cities were informed by the Bureau that there would soon be no more hydrelectric projects and that the demands would run out in late 1977 . The four cities then formed Platte River Power Authority. N He then discussed the process of how they are now coming before the Planning Commission in regard to meetings , etc. they have presented' to Larimer County. Bill Slimak explained how the transmission line is to be constructed by the use of a map. Tom Keith, Environmental Planner, presented a slide presentation showing where the line would be located of both the County Line Route and the preferred route which also showed residences which expressed concern of the County Line Route. Tom Honn then read the staff' s recommendation for the County Line Route and the Development Standards. Herb Shaw then commented on three items of concern regarding the staff' s recommendation. His first comment was that of the impact on agricultural ground which the Planning Staff said would affect 60% of the agricultural ground. He felt this figure was too high when comparing the two routes. He also commented on the regional aesthetics regarding the view of the line in Weld County. He also felt there will be a great deal of impact on Black Hollow Reservoir which wou d be a major disadvantage. Dicussion then followed on moving the pole • 'Planning Colimiissio inutes Page 5 April 3 , 1979 structures east 200 ' to 300 ' to where they would be behind the resident on the east rather than on the west immediately adjacent to the road right-of-way and the alternative routes which could be taken for the line. The Chairman then opened the discussion to audience participation. At this time Leonard Anderson expressed his concern regarding the amount of agricultural land it crosses and how this line could create a real problem for aerial sprayers. He does not feel the line benefits Weld County; Robert Moser said that no mention had been made that the line will go through a subdivision and affect nine homes. He also commented his land is worth too much to him and would rather have it condemned. Wayne Foster stated he prefers the County Line Route. Jose Base expressed opposition to the County Line Route and does not want the transmission line at all and also would decrease the property values ; Roger Vermeer was opposed to the County Route. Bob Barnes was in favor of the County Line Route. MOTION: Be it therefore resolved to recommend approval for the County Line Route based on the staff' s recommendation. Motion by Jerry Kiefer, seconded by Fred Otis. A vote of "aye" was cast by Percy Hiatt, Fred Oti , Jerry Kiefer, Bette Kountz, and Chuck Carlson. A vote of "no" was cast by Jim Gilbert and Frank Suckla. Motion carried. Repeal of Section VIII of the Weld County Zoning Resolution and Adoption of new Section 80 entitled "Amendments to the Zoning Resolution" This section was presented to the members of the Planning Commission on January 2, 1979, but was not adopted at that time. Ken McWilliams, Senior Planner, and Thom Rounds, Planner, again presented it this date for adoption. Thom Rounds briefly outlined and discussed the content of each proposed section. A minor change was made regarding prior notification of the hearing date from ten to fifteen days prior to the scheduled hearing by the Planning Commission. General discussion followed. MOTION: Be iththerefore resolved to recommend approval to the Board of County Commissioners . Motion by Jerry Kiefer, seconded by Bette Kountz. A vote of "aye" was cast by Percy Hiatt, Jerry Kiefer, Frank Suckla, Bette Kountz, and Chuck Carlson. A vote of "no" was cast by Jim Gilbert and Fred Otis. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Shirley A.A Phillips P Planning Commission Secretary A public hearing was conducted on April 18, , 1979 at 2: 00 P. M. , with the following present: NORMAN CARLSON CHAIRMAN LYDIA DUNBAR COMMISSIONER BILL KIRBY COMMISSIONER LEONARD ROE COMMISSIONER JUNE STEINMARK COMMISSIONER Also present: ACTING CLERK TO THE BOARD , JEANNETTE ORDWAY COUNTY ATTORNEY , THOMAS O. DAVID PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE, TOM HONN AND VICKIE TRAXLER The following business was transacted: I hereby certify that pursuant to a notice dated March 5, 1979, duly published March 8 , 1979 and March 29 , 1979 in the Johnstown Breeze, a public hearing was held on the Platte River Power Authority request for a special use permit for a proposed alternative routes for the Rawhide Energy Project Transmission Line location. Testimony was heard from the proponents and opponents of the power line. The Planning Commission recommended favorably that the interests of the County and the general public would best be served by locating the transmission line along the westerly County Line Route. After deliberation, Commissioner Steinmark made a motion to table this request until Wednesday, April 25, 1979, at the regularly scheduled Board Meeting, and further additional testimony will not be accepted. Commissioner Kirby seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. hP1-4—ry.z2--.. 6) IP CHAIRMAN BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WELD COUNTY, COLORADO ATTEST: a "'�,"'A. " WELD COUNTY CLERK AND RECORDER AND CLERK TO THE BOARDl ,/ BY: t /11 , „C Ci \ A cti Deputy County Clerk I^\ DOCKET # 79-11 TAPE # 79-42 and 79-43 LHR# / ! r; 1 Date: April 3 , 1979 CASE NUMBER: SUP-380 : 79 : 2 NAME: Platte River Power Authority REQUEST: Rawhide Energy Project 230 KV Eastern Transmission Line Corridor XIMATOURKWIRXRXIMIX LOCATION: County Roads 80 to 116 south to north and County Roads 13 to 19 west to east THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING SERVICES STAFF RECOMMENDS THAT THIS REQUEST BE approved FOR THE County Line Route alternative for the following reasons : It is the opinion of the Department of Planning Services staff that the primary reason for presenting new alternatives (as presented in the Supplement Rawhide Energy Project Transmission Line Siting prepared by EDAW, Inc. November, 1978) was to decrease aesthetic impacts on residential uses at the southern extremity of the County Line Route. The new alternatives presented may provide relief to those residences along the County Line Route, however, other impacts will occur to Weld County resources from the proposed alternatives . ( 1) It is the opinion of the Department of Planning Services staff that impacts to regional aesthetics can best be minimized by location of the transmission line to the westerly edge of the proposed alternatives , i .e . , the County Line Route . Due to the elevated ridge located 2 and 3 miles east of the County Line, panoramic views would be most affected utilizing the easterly route alternatives for the transmission line . (2) Based upon the staff ' s land use inventory and applicants submitted data, it is the opinion of the Department of Planning Services staff , that significantly increased impacts to arable land, both irrigated and non-irrigated, will occur by locating the transmission line on any alternative or alternative combinations east of the County Line Route . Approximately VE% of the applicants preferred route will be adjacent to or traverse arable lands . Approximately 25% of the County Line Route will require traversing arable lands . Platte River Power Authority SUP-380 : 79 :2 PLANNING STAFF RECOMMENDATION April 3 , 1979 (3) Because there is no existing drainage pattern which extends adjacent to the proposed route alternatives through which it could be aligned, the Department of Planning Services staff feels it would be most appropriate to utilize an existing public right-of-way in which to align the transmission line in an effort to maintain the least disruption of orderly relationships . (4) A significant major water body suited for public recreation pursuits , Black Hollow Reservoir, will be impacted by the applicant ' s preferred route . The line will be located on the reservoir' s western shores . It is the opinion of the Department of Planning Services that the interests of the County and the general public would best be served by locating the transmission line along the westerly County Line Route which would not impact large bodies of water in a similar manner. (5) It is the opinion of the Department of Planning Services staff that in the future additional transmission facilities may be required to locate in the northwestern portion of the County. As long as a reasonable alternative exists to locate proposed transmission lines as far westerly as possible) potential right-of-way for future routes must be p eserved so that reasonable choices govern future transmission line siting. (6) The Department of Planning Services staff feels that residences located along the southern portion of the County Line Route may be impacted by the transmission line located westerly and in close proximity to them. It is the Department of Planning Services staff ' s opinion that the applicant can adjust pole locations such that the line may deviate 200' to 300 ' from the County Line in order to pass on the east side of the various pockets of residential improvements . The method may provide for the aesthetic relief of the impacted property owner. There may, however, be two residences located too far east of the proposed County Line alternative to be by- passed. Rawhide Energy Project DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS 1. The route shall be the route designated as the County Line Route . Portions of said route located in Weld County shall have a 300 foot corridor from the west County line in which to locate the facilities . 2 . Wherever practicable , waste, drainage and range lands shall be utilized to locate the transmission line structures . Arable lands should be impacted only when no practicable alternative exists . 3 . The location for individual structures shall be coordinated with the individual landowners . Particular attention and coordination is needed in cultivated areas , potential irrigable areas, and areas immediately adjacent to residences . 4 . The applicant shall file for an Underground and Utility Easement Permit with the Weld County Engineering Department prior to construction for any lines being located in or across County right-of-way. 5 . No strucutres shall be placed in County right-of-way unless approved by the Weld County Engineering Department . 6 . Platte River Power Authority shall comply with the provisions of the Board of County Commissioner ' s resolution dated December 27 , 1972 entitled "Regulating Installation of Overhead Utility Lines Across County Roads" . 7. Final review of route locations, where the line crosses or parallels State Highway ROW, is to be made by State Highway Department . An Interstate Utility Crossing Permit will be required. See State Department of Highways letter dated November 23, 1978. 8 . Subsequent to Board of County Commissioners route approval the route location will be submitted on a 24" x 36" mylar . The document shall also include certification to be completed by the Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners and a Certificate of Responsibility to be completed by the applicant . The standards and limitations approved by the Board of County Commissioners shall be affixed to the document . Upon completion of the document and signatures , the document shall be filed with the Weld County Clerk and Recorder. DEPAR :ELT OF PLANNING SE7-'': PHCNE (303)356-4000 EX- :0» 915 10TH STREET GREELEY,COLORADO 60631 ' Fl �'�, ti k141 t coLO: ADO February 20 , 1979 Mr. William J. Slimak Director of Engineering Platte River Power Authority Timberline and Horsetooth Roads Fort Collins, Colorado 80525 Dear Mr . Slimak: We have received your application and related materials for a request for a Special Use Permit for a transmission line route for the proposed Rawhide Energy Project . We have scheduled a meeting with the Weld County Planning Commission for Tuesday, April 3, 1979 at 1: 30 p .m. We have also scheduled a meeting with the Weld County Board of County Commissioners for Wednesday, April 18 , 1979 at 2 : 00 p .m. These meeting will take place in the County Commissioners Hearing Room, first floor , Weld County Centennial Center, 915 10th Street , Greeley, Colorado . It is recommended that you and/or a representative be in attendance to answer any questions the boards might have with respect to your application. As requested per our telephone conversation on February 16 , 1979 , our office needs a complete legal description of the proposed routes including section, township and range numbers which will be impacted by the proposed routes. We also need a list of the ditches and the respective ditch and irrigation companies impacted by the proposed route . As also discussed on February 16 , 1979 and previous meetings with Mr . Tom Honn, Zoning Administrator, our staff requests a complete media listing (any daily or weekly newspaper circulated in the area of the proposed transmission line route , such as Fort Collins , Wellington , Greeley, and perhaps Windsor papers) of the proposed 11r . William J. Slimak " Page 2 February 20, 1979 transmission line routes . This listing would include public meetings ; dates, times and places ; and names of bodies presiding at the hearings . The listing should include a map identifying the proposed eastern routes through Weld County and along the County lines. Please provide enough information for easy location of the route such as county roads, section lines , ditches and other bodies of water, and any other information deeded necessary. We also request that you send us a copy of the above described listings for our records . If you have any questions or discussion regarding these matters, please feel free to contact our office . Respectfully, Vickie Traxler Assistant Zoning Administrator VT: sap ti 4 L -o co • SENDER Complete items 1 2 and 3 Add your address in the RETURN TO space on 3 reverse w m 1 The following service is requested(check one) Ofr.) C Show to whom and date delivered ¢ 7\1( (03U ❑ Show to whom,date,and address of delivery _ C C RESTRICTED DELIVERY RECEIPT FOR CE 71MM B L,1,l Show to whom and date delivered C ❑ RESTRICTED DELIVERY f:3C=l).":1;ICTI=�n2'sGi_:'v"7L13— Do m Show to whom,date,and address of delivery $_ CDT 33 -:=� =3:�n2 FM 8,a Ftc �)'�`` C (CONSULT POSTMASTER FOR FEES) SENT - w��ti� Z 2 ARTICLE ADDRESSED TO rC sO ` STREET t�.AND ,,NOO ({�� M -., `'..\1 , \` , a , ' . _ ..\,,, � v�V v k\�v,,i2i .1�\`.i./i. m \`, -ti .. , J ., ` �\\ „A, Z-, . y _ APO STATE AND Z,PCODE \ C % ( __ _� L .__ice_ _ \ }\ �� _ �' — -+v \;:- 3 ARTICLE DESCRIPTION POSTAGE SO m REGISTERED NO CERTIFIED NO INSURED NO•' c- CERTIF,ED FEE a Li `�H ,,� �� \ SPECIAL DELIVERY Jj (Always obtain signature of addressee or agent) LL Cn I m RESTA CTED DEL JERY ig C-) C- SHD:JTOGriC-1 A,0 o I have received the article described above i5 5 CATE DELIVERED ¢ z SIGNATURE r7 Addressee Authorized agent a pi rz CJ L'J S.D.',/TO l',HD'1 CATE cn �''s -4 R A".DACCPESSOF 0 Q O:-",F,Y --=-4C-2 GS e_ r.:3 m 4S / i2 £-A---DAT 0 ° S,C.'1TO':.nu1A',DCATE QC�pp r L.U OSTMARK — t, a Dt'4_ _„r.'TH-,ST-n CTED =. 0 DEL..Ea1 ¢ z z a b s,j'TD C,HO, 2ATE AND -- ----- --- -- U f'1 AJPiESSC'EEL:F,iYGiTH 0 5 ADDRESS(Complete only it requested) m RESITDTEs CEl„riY m 3J TOTAL POSTAC=Ar:D FE=3 $ 'a -1 cam. POSTCIAF:t OR DATE p 6 UNABLE TO DELIVER BECAUSE CLERK S Q, D INITIALS d a r I 2d � � I 'GPO 1977 0-249 595 Y i =1 DATE: March 1979 TO: The Board of County Commissioners Weld County, Colorado FROM: Clerk to the Board Office Commissioners: If you have no objections, we have tentatively set the following hearing for the 18th day of April, 1979, at 2:00 P.M. Platte River Power Authority - Special Use Permit - Proposed • alternative routes for Rawhide Energy Project Transmission Line e OFFICE O THE CLERK TO THE BOARD r /z�4CCC�Y�' PutY The above mentioned hearing date and hearing time may be scheduled on the agenda as stated above. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WELD COUNTY, COLORADO )14DW4A~.. erg itS-eaetA2 s 10 PLATTE Ri vtR POWER AUTHORITY TIMBERLINE &HORSETOOTH ROADS • FORT COLLINS, COLORADO 80525 Telephone (303)226-4000 Board of Directors July 23 , 1979 Cable "PLATTRIVER" J D Bilderback Stanley R Case Robert L Dekker Robert L Hay E George Patterson,Jr C1��,r,11 »NEl�� Harry B Tregent tNE�� C�� Jerry Trotter �r'� �J rte 1 Earl Wilkinsonll 1�, c i { General Manager , Albert J Hamilton �� l �g79 Commissioner Norman Carlson, Chairman OEEELEY COLD. . Weld County Board of County Commissioners P. O. Box 758 Greeley, Colorado 80632 Dear Mr. Chairman: We are pleased to respond to the request of the Weld County Commissioners to study an alternative route for Platte River' s eastern transmission line from the Rawhide Energy Project. As you know, the Larimer County Commissioners have approved a route in Larimer County along the Larimer-Weld County Line road. Several Weld County residents have objected to this approved route and have asked that the line be routed further east in- stead. Platte River has agreed to a route along Weld County Road 19, as shown on the enclosed map. Following our meeting with you on May 23 we have examined your suggestion that, as an alternative to these two routes, Platte River route its eastern transmission line from Rawhide generally along future Weld County Road 17, also as shown on the attached map. Our engineers have studied this Weld County Road 17 alter- native, and based upon their findings I will be pleased to recom- mend this alternative to Platte River' s Board of Directors if the following conditions can be met. (1) The Weld County Board of Commissioners first approves the route as hereinafter described. From the Weld-Larimer County line between Weld County Roads #102 and #104 the route would run in a southeasterly direc- tion for approximately two miles parallel to, and approxi- mately 150 feet south of, the route of the existing 345 kV transmission line of the Federal government, to a point 80 feet west of the north-south centerline of future Weld County Road 17. From that point Platte River' s eastern Rawhide line route would run due south for approximately 6 miles, parallel to future Weld County Road 17 and 80 feet west of the center- line of future Weld County Road 17 , to a point 80 feet PLATTE Comm sioner Norman Carlson RIVER July 23 , 1979 POWER Page 2 AUTHORITY north of the centerline of Weld County Road 84. From that point the route would run due east for approxi- mately one-mile, parallel to and 80 feet north of the center- line of Weld County Road 84 to connect with Platte River' s existing 230 kV double circuit transmission line between Ault and Fort Collins. (2) Weld County would confirm Platte River's survey along the route of future Weld County Road 17. Since at present there is no road along the route of future Weld County Road 17, Platte River will find it necessary to survey and stake all section corners between Weld County Road 84 and 96, and survey and stake the route of the trans- mission line between those two roads, along an alignment 80 feet west of Road 17 ' s centerline. This will be done at Platte River' s expense. Weld County would agree to survey the same area and to con- firm, in writing, the accuracy of Platte River' s survey and staking within 30 days following written notice that Platte River' s survey and staking has been completed. This survey and confirmation would be at Weld County's expense. (3) Weld County would agree that any future relocation of the line not required by Platte River would not be at Platte River' s expense. Subject to Weld County' s confirmation of Platte River' s sur- vey and staking along the route of future Weld County Road 17 , Weld County would agree that it would not subsequently require Platte River to relocate, at Platte River's expense, the transmission line to accommodate an enlargement of the county road right-of-way or some other future use not required by Platte River. In such circumstances all expenses for any such relocation shall be attributable entirely to the corpora- tion, person or government desiring the relocation. (4) If necessary, Platte River will relocate or reconstruct the existing Poudre Valley REA distribution line which parallels Weld County Road 84, between the right-of-way of future Weld County Road 17 and existing County Road 19. This will be done at Platte River' s expense in compliance with distribution line construction design, and in a location and alignment, acceptable to Poudre Valley REA. PLATTE Comn.. sioner Norman Carlson RIVER July 23, 1979 J. POWER Page 3 AUTHORITY The alternative routing, using future Weld County Road 17, has not previously been published for public review and for public hearing by the Platte River Board. Our legal counsel advises that this will need to be done. Before we recommend yet another alternative to Platte River' s Board I want to be sure that it represents what Weld County's Commission- ers believe is an acceptable solution and that it can be undertaken under conditions and commitments that will protect Platte River. Attached is a draft resolution which our attorneys have discussed with Weld County' s legal counsel, Mr. Thomas O. David. If this resolution is adopted by your Board of County Commissioners, it would constitute Weld County approval of the proposed route under the conditions described in this letter. As soon as we have received word of favorable action by Weld County I will be pleased to ask Platte River' s Board for a public hearing. If you have questions concerning this matter we will be prepared to meet with you at your convenience to discuss them. Very truly you s, PLA E *IVER OWER AU HORITY i A ert J. ilton General Manager /kr Attachment lkPLATTE RIVLI. POWER AUTHORITY TIMBERLINE & HORSETOOTH ROADS • FORT COLLINS, COLORADO 80525 Telephone (303) 226-4000 Board of Directors March 16, 1979 Cable "PLATTRIVER" J D Bilderback Stanley R Case Robert L Dekker Jean M Marchand E George Patterson,Jr Jack E L Russell Harry B Tregent Jerry Trotter General Manager Albert J Hamilton Ms. Vickie Traxler Assistant Zoning Administrator Weld County Planning Department 915 10th Street Greeley, CO 80631 Dear Vickie: Enclosed are the revised scores for the transmission line alternatives that were evaluated in Weld County. The scores for the preferred Weld County route are the same as those stated in Bill Slimak's letter of January 31 , 1979. Scores for the other alternatives were re-checked after the EDAW report "Supplement Rawhide Energy Project Transmission Line Siting" was issued. Upon being re-checked, EDAW discovered that an error had been made in calculating scores for the routes in the supplement report and adjusted the scores accordingly. Please let us know if you have any questions. Sincerely, PLATTE RIVER POWER AUTHORITY -16-2,-- ic,AxI., Tom Keith Environmental Planner /kv Enc. �pFt 1919 ,� ?r t r-(-) m Z n b y m Pi 01 p 73 ! '::c), � m Mc p O I � N , s Xi O ,....... ' Cp �� ; N1 iW N O o ni , �--t cn W o n ÷ cQ I w It D> C) 7v y I O ® U1 ! � Cr- � 1---' . in H I J\ I ~ I W . \il O i H VI N I -- . ' ! I NY z )- Q1 :' ? \y‘ l `6N ' zi ; tt O d p c'1 1 `Q' I I '—s o I i m j � _ tii -n ,. Z �� N CD OD I O �` I I ( t OCD CD D * I I'D < < C) DO D171 ti m D O ' 0 C IC O ) Cnn rn i � '� cg Z -n 0 Ia ,- Ir - r- 5 ' 0 ' n Do 0 N D O I0 in C) Z it -< r- cri < i- S0 - ,3 Cl) ID D IC m K K , ; p , r m m z 0 I Qo 0 5 33 i cn I > Z Z I O 0 I '0 m O m m g m i ti Cn N > Z 1-1 O Z Cl) m -n 33 CD Z 0 z 33 70 O O W CD rn I , K C p 0 I2 m z it '1 i O DO -4 -< r- u' I m ccri z cn m 1 r C) i—11 I i I r r n xl O ' Il O i I i I m PT1 rnL i I -1 i I ' , , l _ -i cn w -�- -{- O I—F I i —1— —+ i I m a ,, j — I II i I - . O O L-- I , , ' ' O * ( N. o ° --- a m I• mvFJH — I � n i J ; Cl) 0 00 cn ▪ ° m �� ,.,I 1-417 1 + -+ --4- I } �' ✓ N i i 1 p -Q. ' -.D ; N n 'T'1 p z r-2 ii �1. i `� iTv 7 DO ✓ Z �_ b JiCpI WIi0� _1 . - `u s H. rrlr t ° t '�--{ I T--�-i 0 r IINiII� I �� _ D s 1. rfl O i w Ii . Iv'I I -EJ i — •` 1n 1_i I_-4 ►-U 0 m 1 71 5 ° m �' I �' 1 I r+I ! N m m I $. --4 , V _ -- I -....i, n U) I 1 n ig 0 i ≤ < In ; n m Z Xi c m > O 1 Eh I Cn () O C m O (D m Ir m m O I ° C C Z Q ° C. 33 J) 0 ° ' r r r C) Om ' c '� m z n rn I o O D O 0 m C) Z I r � P C Cn -1 �- i 77 '3 H r H -4 D4 ? n < 2° .< O0 O0 D D DJ CD 1 m • m K * z0 r m U1 ✓ m M 3> m z z = I (,) Q° I 01 O 5 i, I r- m rT: 2 O I D Z Z CA (A m m r ° m m (n m 0) 33 3 z _0 2 33 M I -0 'Ci O O CO ti m m(in i U K Ei O CD m D I -p (D 00 2 2 z H CD C) D I CO D -< c-r O W0 r I 2 m Cl) Z m Cl) m _:y. . ._._ ikPLATTE RIVE DOWER AUTHORITY TIMBERLINE&HORSETOOTH ROADS • FORT COLLINS, COLORADO 80521 Telephone:(303)226-4000 Board of Directors February 28, 1979 Cable:"PLATTRIVER" J D.Bilderback Stanley R Case Robert L Dekker Jean M.Marchand E George Patterson,Jr Jack E L.Russell Harry B Tregent Jerry Trotter General Manager Albert J.Hamilton Ms. Vickie Traxler Assistant Zoning Administrator Department of Planning Services Weld County Colorado 915 10th Street Greeley, Colorado 80631 Dear Ms. Traxler: Thank you for your letter of February 12, 1979 confirming the dates and times for hearing Platte River's request to review a proposed transmission line route from our proposed Rawhide Energy Project. As you have requested, the following is a list of townships and sections which would be involved by both our proposed Weld County route and all alternative routes which were studied in Weld County. (1 ) Proposed Route In Range 67 West Township 10 North - Sections 31 and 30 Township 9 North - Sections 6, 7, 18, 19, 29, 30, 31 , and 32 Township 8 North - Sections 4, 5, 9, 10, 15, 16, 21 , 22, 27, 28, 33, and 34 Township 7 North - Sections 3 and 4 (2) Alternative Routes Studied In Range 67 West Township 10 North - Sections 19, 28, 29, 30, 32 and 33 Township 9 North - Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21 , 28, 29, 30, 31 , 32 and 33 Township 8 North - Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, 18 19, 20, 21 , 28, 29, 30, 31 , 32, and 33 Township 7 North - Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 18 PRIVERLATTE POWER AUTHORITY Ms. Vickie Traxler February 28, 1979 Page 2 The only two identifiable ditches that we cross are the Poudre Valley Canal and the Pierce Lateral . We believe both of these ditches are owned and maintained by the Water Supply and Storage Company and we cross both at the northwest end of the Black Hollow Reservoir. We will be working on a proposed map and text material for the adver- tisement to be published approximately one week before each of the hearing dates, in which we will list the place and hearing body. This map will include references familiar to residents of the area and we will publish it in all local papers. We will forward this information to you as soon as it is ready. We thank you very much for your cooperation in processing this request. Sincerely, PLATTE RIVER POWER AUTHORITY ` 1.(LelLetJi. William J. Slim 951.1 Director of Engineering /kv 1,1,2621 ?g,0,)>.. c FEB 1979 W a RECEIVED cn kl1d Cnunly 0 c Piaiii1ng Carl \I l k9/'`�l€l ZIA\`). ikPLATTE RIVEF 'OWER AUTHORITY r TIMBERLINE &HORSETOOTH ROADS • FORT COLLINS, COLORADO 80521 Telephone (303)226-4000 Board of Directors Cable."PLATTRIVER" J.D.Bilderback January 31 , 1979 Stanley R Case Robert L Dekker Jean M Marchand E George Patterson,Jr. Jack E L.Russell Harry B.Tregent Jerry Trotter General Manager Albert J Hamilton Department of Planning Services 915 10th Street Greeley, Colorado 80631 ATTENTION: Mr. Tom Hahn, Zoning Administrator Dear Tom: As you know, the EDAW Transmission Line Siting Report and Supplement were prepared before the route we are currently proposing in Weld County was identified. Therefore, no scores for the new preferred Weld County route are included in either report. At our January 3rd meeting, you expressed an interest in the scores for the new route. We therefore have had EDAW calculate the scores for the preferred Weld County Route and they are as shown below: Agriculture 160 Residential & Other Property 8 Public Lands 29 Conflicts with Distribution Lines 6 Visual Prominence From Roads 64.2 Visual Prominence From Houses 34 Disorderly Relationships 131 .4 Wooded & Marshland Habitats 0 Waterfowl Flight Zones 0 The scores for the preferred Weld County route can be compared to the scores for the other Weld County routes by looking at pages 5 & 6 in the "Supplement, Rawhide Energy Project Transmission Line Siting" report. If you have any other questions, please let me know. Sincerely, PLATTE RIVER POWER AUTHORITY IA(// 1‘4;ti'''.- -- l am J. Slimak Director of Engineering /kv FIELD CHECK FILING NUMBER: SUP-380 : 79 :2 DATE OF INSPECTION: March 16 , 1979 NAME: Platte River Power Authority REQUEST: Proposed Transmission Line Routes LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LAND USE : N E S W ZONING: N LOCATION: E S W COMMENTS: Summary : While the County Line Route affects more residences than the Preferred Route , most houses are concentrated in one area. Of more importance the County Line Route appeared to be rimarily pasture and rangeland while the Preferred Route would impact more agricultural land in the form of dryland wheat and irri ated crops . The County Line Route had several sections either 2 mile east or west of the section line where the line could be at a low elevation for approximately 4 miles in drainage areas which would be less visible on the landscape . The Preferred Route does not offer the same opportunities for reduced visual impact . See next page for more detailed inspection of the routes . BY: V 1'C — \0.X.ke.,, FIELD CHECK - Continued COUNTY LINE ROUTE Resi- From: To : Weld County dences Larimer County Highway 14 Road 84 Irrigated Farmland (1) Irrigated Farmland Highway 84 Road 86 Irrigated Farmland (5) Low ground, mixed dry irrigated Highway 86 Road $$ Pasture (2) Pasture Highway 88 Road 9O Pasture & Dryland Wheat (1) Pasture & dryland wheat Highway 90 Road 98 First 2-3 miles dryland (1) Same wheat ; Rest rangeland Rangeland Highway 98 Road 112 Rangeland Rangeland TOTAL RESIDENCES : 3-Larimer County (also one platted subdivision without 7-Weld County residences) PREFERRED ROUTE From: To : Highway 14 Road 90 Blackhollow Reservoir 2 residences; 1 platted subdivision crosses irrigation ditch; irrigated farmland Highway 90 Road 100 Dryland wheat 1 residence Small electrical line Highway 100 Road 112 Rangeland ALTERNATE ROUTES 1. County Road 17 north of Road 100 - Dryland wheat 2 . County Road 15 a. From Highway 14 north to Road 90 17 residences Mixed irrigated and dryland b . Road 90 to Road 96 1 residence Dryland wheat 1. ,, f\4 ID, L41, NorIcE Pursuant to the zoning laws of the State of Colorado and the Weld County Land Use Code, a public hearing will be held in the Chambers of the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, Weld County Centennial Center, 915 10th Street, Greeley, Colorado, at the time specified. All persons in any manner interested in the Special Use Permit are requested to attend and may be heard. BE IT ALSO KNOWN that the text and maps so certified by the Weld County Planning Commission may be examined in the Office of the Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners, located in the Weld County Centennial Center, 915 10th Street, Third Floor, Greeley, Colorado. Docket No. 79-11 Platte River Power Authority Timberline & Horsetooth Roads Fort Collins, CO 80521 Date: April 18, 1979 Time: 2:00 P.M. Request: Special Use Permit - Proposed alternative routes for Rawhide Energy Project Transmission Line LEGAL DESCRIPTION: (1) Proposed Route In Range 67 West Township 10 North - Sections 31 and 30 • Township 9 North - Sections 6, 7, 18, 19, 29, 30, 31, and 32 Township 8 North - Sections 4, 5, 9, 10, 15, 16, 21, 22, 27, 28, 33, and 34 Township 7 North - Sections 3 and 4 (2) Alternative Routes Studied In Range 67 West Township 10 North - Sections 19, 28, 29, 30, 32 and 33 Township 9 North - Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33 Township 8 North - Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33 Township 7 North - Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 18. THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WELD COUNTY, COLORADO BY: MARY ANN FEUERSTEIN COUNTY CLERK AND RECORDER -, AND CLERK TO THE BOARD BY: Keitha Hubbard, Deputy PUBLISHED: March 8, 1979 and March 29, 1979 in the Johnstown Breeze I T �3.f K dy� O71. Pt 11LICNOTI('I. NOTICE Pursuant to the zoning'.an s of the State of Colorado and the Weld County Land Use Code a public hearing will be held in the Chambers of the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County Colorado,Weld County Centennial Center, 915 10th Street, Greeley Colorado,at the time specified All persons in any manner interested in the Special Use Permit are requested to attend and may be heard BE IT ALSO KNOWN that the text and maps so certified by the Weld County Planning Commission may be examined in the Office of the Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners, located in the 9151d 10th County Centennial et Third Floor, Greeley Colorado Docket No 79-11 Platte River Power Authority Timberline Sr Horsetooth Roads Fort Collins,CO 80521 Date April 18, 1979 Time 2 00 P.M. Request Special Use Permit Proposed alternative routes for Rawhide Energy Project Tian5- mission Line LEGAL DESCRIPTION (1) Proposed Route In Range 67 West Township 10 North- Sections 31 and 30 Township 9 North-Sections 6,7, 18 19, 29, 30, 31, and 52 Township 8 North-Sections 4,5 9,10,15,16,21,22,27,28,3S and 34 Township 7 North - Sc.' ans and 4 (2) Alternative Routes Studied In Range 67 West Township 10 North-Sections 19, 28 29, 30, 32 and 33 Township 9 North-Sections 4,5, 6,7,8,9,16,17,19,20,21 28,29,30, 31 32, and 33 Township 8 North-Sections 4,5, 6,7,8,9,16,17,18,19,20,21,28,29, 30 31, 12, and 33 Township 7 North-Sections 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 18 THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WELD COUNTY,COLORADO BY MARY ANN FEUERSTEIN COUNTY CLERK AND RECORDER AND CLERK TO THE BOARD BY•Keitha Hubbard,Deputy PUBLISHED: March 8, 1979 9tond March 29, 1979 in the Breeze Co. Legal 7"55-Clerk to Bd 11111 ill AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION PUBLIC NOTICE THE JOHNSTOWN BREEZE NOTICE STATE OF COLORADO ) Pursuant to the zoning laws of the ) SS. State of Colorado and the Weld COUNTY OF WELD ) County Land Use Code, a public hearing will be held in the I, Eugene Thomas, do solemnly swear Chambers of the Board of County that I am publisher of The Johnstown Commissioners of Weld County Colorado,Weld County Centennial Breeze; that the same is a weekly Center, 915 10th Street, Greeley Colorado, o grad i,atthemannepecifir ed. i newspaper printed,in whole or in part,and in the Special Use Permit are published in the County of Weld, State of requested to attend and may be Colorado, and has a general circulation heard• therein; that said newspaper has been RE IT ALSO KNOWN that the text published continuously)y and uninterrupted- and maps so certified by the Weld County Planning Commission ly in said County of Weld for a period of may be examined in the Office of the Clerk to the Board of County more than fifty-two consecutive weeks Commissioners, located in the i prior to the firsi publication of the annexed Weld County Centennial Center, 915 10th Street, Third Floor, legal notice or advertisement; that said Greeley, Colorado. newspaper has been admitted to the DocketNo.79-11 United States mails as second-class matter Platte River Power Authorit under the provisions of the Act of March 3, Timberline&Horsetootn Roads Fort Collins,Co 80521 1879,or any amendments thereof,and that Date: April 18, 1979 said newspaper is a weekly newspaper Time 2:00 P.M duly qualified for publishing legal notices and advertisements within the meaning of Request•Special Use Permit- the laws of the State of Colorado. Proposed alternative routes for, Rawhide Energy Project Trans- That the annexed legal notice or mission Line g LEGAL DESCRIPTION: advertisement was published in the regular and entire issue of every number of (11 Proposed Route said weekly newspaper for the period of In Range 67 West ry Township 10,North-Sections 31 ....4�...,CARse k t ie insertions; and that the and 30 Township 9 North-Sections 6,7, first publication of said notice was in the 18 19, 29, 30, 31, and 32 Township 8 North-Sections 4 5 issue of said newspaper dated. Si 9,10,15,16,21,22,27,28,33,and 34 Township 7 North - Sections 3 and 4 A.D. 19 7 7 , and that the last publication (2) Alternative Routes Studied of said notice was in the issue of said In Range 67 West newspaper a er dated hl 61'i-2'7 ,A.D 19.7.1.. Township 10 North-Sections 19, 28 29, 30, 32 and 33 In witness whereof I have hereunto set Township 9 North-Sections 4,5, 6,7,8,9,16,17,19,20,21,2i,29,30, 4f�� , 31 32, and 33 my hand this.J day of. Township,17 8 North-Sections 4,5, , 6, 71 38,19,20,21,28,29, A.D. 19 7 9 6 3 , 2, , 33 Township 7 North-Sections 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 18. o " 2 TiHE BOARD OF COUNTY, 6.Le, 17, 2 i COMMISSIONERS ✓µ� WELD COUNTY,COLORADO ,/ Publisher BY•MARY ANN FEUERSTEIN COUNTY CLERK AND RKAND RECORDER Subscribed and sworn to before me a CLERK TO THE BOARD Notary Public in and for the County of BY Keitha Hubbard Deputy Weld,State of Colorado, this `3 O'er day PUBLISHED• March 8 1979 and �7 '7 MarBrech 29, 1979 in the Johnstown of " '///" .4;1--. A D 1971 Co. Legal 79-65-Clerk to Bd. -'l ,1/ Notary Public My commission expires ,z:`-..c-. , //, /7 / e Affidavit of Publication , • STATE OF COLORADO ss County of Weld, I, Nancy C. Usher of said County of Weld, being duly sworn, say that I am an advertising derk of THE GREELEY DAILY TRIBUNE, and THE GREELEY REPUBLICAN that the same is a daily newspaper of general circulation and printed and published in the City of Greeley, in said county and state; that the notice or advertisement, of which the annexed is a true copy, has been published in said daily newspaper for consecutive (days) (weeks); that the notice was published in the NOTICE regular and entire issue of every number of said Pursuant to the zoning laws of the State newspaper during the period and time of publication of 3f Colorado and the Weld County Land Use Code,a public hearing will be held in the said notice, and in the newspaper proper and not in a Chambers of the Board of you Colorado,ty Cm missioners of Weld County, supplement thereof; that the first publication of said Weld County Centennial Center,915 10th notice was contained in the issue of said newspaper Street, Greeley, Colorado, at the time specified All persons in any manner in. bearing date terested in the Special Use Permit are requested to attend and may be heard ninth BE IT ALSO KNOWN that the text and maps so certified by the Weld County Planning Commission may be examined day of April A.D. 19J2_; in the Office of the Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners, located to the and the last publication thereof; in the issue of said Weld County Centennial Center,915 10th newspaper bearing date the Street,Third Floor,Greeley,Colorado Docket No,79-11 ninth Platte River Power Authority Timberline&Horsetooth Roads Fort Collins,CO 80521 Date April 18,•1979 day of April A.D. 19_11; -ime 2 00 P M that said The Greeley Daily Tribune and The Greeley Request Special Use Permit — Proposed alternative routes for Rawhide Republican, has been published continuously and Energy Project Transmission Line LEGAL DESCRIPTION uninterruptedly during the period of at least six (1) Proposed Route In Range 67 West months next prior to the first issue thereof contained Township 10 North—Sections 31 and said notice or advertisement above referred to;that said 30 Township 9 North—Sections 6,7,18, newspaper has been admitted to the United States 19,29,30,31,and 32 Township 8 North—Sections 4,5,9,10, mails as second-class matter under the provisions of the 15,16,21,22,27,28,33,and34 Township 7 North—Sections 3 and 4 ' Act of March 3, 1879, or any amendments thereof; and (2)Alternative Routes Studied that said newspaper is a daily newspaper duly qualified In Range 67 West Township 10 North—Sections 19,28, for publishing legal notices and advertisements within 29,30,32 and 33 Township 9 North—Sections 4,5,6,7, the meaning of the laws of the State of Colorado. 8,9,16,17,19,20,21,2829,30,31,32,and 33 Township 8 North—Sections 4,5,6,7, 8,9 16,17,18,19,20,21,28,29,30,31,32, Apr i l 9, 1979 and 33 Township 7 North—Sections 4,5,6,7, $16.53 8,9,18 THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WELD COUNTY,COLORADO J BY MARY ANN FEUERSTEIN COUNTY 1 a (� 0 1) In frdf A.j i CLERK AND RECORDER P� \\\ 1 a.J AND CLERK TO THE BOARD Advertising Clerk IBY Keitha Hubbard,Deputy The Greeley Daily Tribune April 9,1979 Subscribed and sworn to before me this 9th day of Apr i l A.D. 19 79 My co issio;2expires 64'CorrlmiSs10 expiros Fob , otr Notary Public . / //r . . /' A AFFIDAVIT 1PUBLICATIO$ It STATE OF COLORADO COUNTY OF LARIITER ss. Holly Mills , being first duly sworn upon oath, deposes and says.That s he is the legal clerk of the Fort Collins Coloradoan, that __he has personal knowl- edge of all the facts set forth in this affidavit, that the Fort Collins NOTICE Coloradoan is a public daily newspaper ofgeneral circulation, Pursuarte oning lawny the Stateof Colorado and the weld County Land Use having its principal office and place of business situated in said Code a public hearing will be held in the is County of Lorimer; that said Fort Collins Coloradoan isprinted Chambers oneyso Weld f dBounard y,ColoraCom Weld sooners of Weld County, Colorado, Weld Coand published daily, that said Fort Collins Coloradoan is a daily Greeletyy Centennial Center,915 p fet, Y� Greeley, Colorado, at the time specified newspaper, duly qualified for the purpose set forth within the All persons in any manner interested in the Special Use Permit are reouested to at meaning of Chapter 109, Article 1, Sections 1-1 to 1-8 inclusive of tend and nay be heard BE I T ALSO KNOWN that the text and Colorado Revised Statutes 1963, and any amendment thereof maps so certified by the Weld County Plan passed prior to the date hereof; that said newspaper had, prior ping Commission my be examined in the office of tie Clerk to the Board of County to January 1, 1936, and has ever since sa d date been admitted Commissioners located in the Weld Coun ty Centennial Center 915 10th Street Third to the United States Mails as second class matter under the Floor Greeley Coorado rovisions of the Act of March 3, 1879, and an Docket No 791, P Y amendments Platte R vet Power Author ry thereof; that said newspaper is printed in whole in said County T i"ceU ica Horsetooth Roads Fort Collins,CO 80521 of Larimer and has a general circulation therein, that said news- Date Aril 18,1979 had been so printed and published as a public daily news- Time 2 0SPM paper Y Request Special Use Permit Pr000sed of general circulation in said Coun* of Larimer, uninter- alternative routes for Rawhide Energy paper Y Protect Transmission Line ruptedly and continuously, during the per od of more than fifty- LEGAL DESCRIPTION 11l Proposed Route two consecutive weeks next prior to the first issue thereof con- In Rang,67 west tainin the annexed legal notice or advertisement; that said Townsh p10North Sections 31 and 30 9 9 Townsh p 9 North Sections 6,7,18,19, annexed legal notice or advertisement was published in the 29,30 31,and 32 Township 8 North Sections 4,5,9,IU,l5, regular and entire editions of said newspaper for 16,21,22,27,28,33,and 34 Townsh p 7 North Sections 3 and 4 121 Altern3live Rottes Studied InRange 67 West Townsh'p 10 North Sections 19,28,29, 30 32 and 33 Township 9 North Sections 4 5 6,7,8,9, 16 17 19,20 21,28,29 30,31 32,and 33 Township 8 North Sections 4,5,6,7,8,9, 1 Monday 16,17,18,19 20 21,28,29,30,31,32,and 33 successive weeks on________ ___of each successive week; Township 7 North Sections 4 5 6 7,8,9 that the first publication of said legal notice or advertisement was 18 THE 3OARDOF COUNTY COMW,SSIONERS WELD COUNTY,COLORADO BY W..RY ANN FEUERSTEIN in the regular and entire edition of said newspaper on the 9th COUNTY CLERK AND RECORDER AND _ERK TO THE BOARD 79 BY Keitha Huobard Deputy day of April _ , A.D. 19____ , that the last Fort Collars Coloradoan 71O April 9,1979 publication of said legal notice or advertisement was in the regular and entire edition of said newspaper of the _ 9th day April 79 of ____ , A.D. 19 ____, and that copies of each number of said paper in which said notice or advertisement was published were delivered by carriers or transmitted by mail to each of the subscribers of said paper, according to the accustom- ed mode of business in this office. Subscribed and sworn to before me,at and within the County of Larimer, State of Colorado, this _ 9th day of April A.D. 19 79 . My commission expii�gs c/a)L-90" Board of Commissioners Notary Public Weld Co. P .O. Box 758 Delivered to t r e e I e Y 0 80631 l from the Office of Greeley, Colorado THE BOARD OF .COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WELD COUNTY, COLORADO March 5 , 1979 Publisher : Please insert the enclosed notice in your issue the week of April 9,1.97._g,,___— - one time only. Regarding payment , complete the enclosed voucher and forward it to us . When returning the voucher, please include an affidavit of publication so we may complete our files . • • Thank you for your cooperation . Sincerely, • 'I'!II', (BOARD) nl'' Cn!IN'I'Y COMMISSIONERS WELT) COUNTY, COLORADO Docket No. 79-11 BY : Mary Ann Feuerslein County Clerk and Recorder Enc. and Clerk to , the Board " '-'1 County Clerk RECEIPT FOR CE- TIFIED MAIL No. 2 8 0 5 ( i, NO INSURANCE COVERAGE PROVIDED— NOT FOR INTERNATIONAL MAIL RECEIPT FOR CERTIFIED MAIL (See Reverse) NO INSURANCE©OVEIIA'. [TInIInElil— MP. SENT TO NOT FOR INTERNATIONAL I:?AIL Greeley Tribune (See Reverse)STREET ANDNO SENT TO r 714 8th Street Fort Cnllins Cnlnrsannn , P O,STATE AND ZIP CODE STREET AND NO - ----_ • Greeley, CO 80631 1212 Riverside Avenue 3 POSTAGE 79-11 $ P O,STATE AND ZIP CODE G •{! , , ,4', - � '4', 4 r' •'„C a''•V • CERTIFIED FEE 4 Fo k Co_l_lins, CO 80521 n 7 e - ! „Jia SPECIAL DELIVERY ¢ POSTAGE 79-11 $ S- ad RESTRICTED DELIVERY 4 CERTIFIED FEE u. ¢ z. Y J` it °AU. GA A i SPECIAL DELIVERY ¢ 7 oe • ' I,,' • .', UW „1" SHOW TO WHOM AND DATE ' I` t -,, 'M. ' en > > DELIVERED ¢ m RESTRICTED DELIVERY ¢en ce< y rn SHOP!TO WHOM,DATE AND W v SHOT TO WHOM AND DATE 4 ' H a ADDRESS OF DELIVERY ¢ 5 a DELIVERED , W 64 d' c= st H 0 W SHO,Y TO WHOM AND DATE E n Cl) SHOW TO WHOM,DATE,AND ' -+ a Ce DELIVERED WITH RESTRICTED 4 I- -J a ADDRESS OF DELIVERY 4 H o z DELIVERY o z am o SHOW TO WHOM,DATE AND i. o w SHOW TO WHOM AND DATE 4 i I to ADDRESS OF DELIVERY WITH ¢ o DELIVERED WITH RESTRICTED ad RESTRICTED DELIVERY DELIVERY o CC F SHOW TO WHOM,DATE AND ti TOTAL POSTAGE AND FEES $ °a w ADDRESS OF DELIVERY WITH ¢ °' dd RESTRICTED DELIVERY a POSTMARK OR DATE ? 6- TOTAL POSTAGE AND FEES $ . C a POSTMARK OR DATE - J' Up ��+P,.m! taekr4i.;4'""t'4- ., =-�yr,rk ,.[i«ir to ;r dY• r";.r 4,., .. 's, 4 '',, „- t,s•'•-_:' • • -''=� - ,' `•+r..,,Y a'1 ,c. .ei+,q'k:- i 'ak � ti. r� r^' n,•:. ..;`:�a �..d't: .x_• .,, •� _ - 3J+* „y�.! ;' .W � .�.. - .. ,a, r.,v ,.r4r a# a•.,a`� •a ., , '�' .% k �.. ., ` a e ICY"_ .. :r..'x z y*, , 7.�4''' • . '�• ,dv:., V , i'w s f. , ' •.t'ri,Hhu,l+m' P'•4,..., '• - . ,•'.- I - "aa, , .,1r,''t• • ` - •t, •;,. ° • SENDER Ck.;.,o, . , Add yc._r address in trio ht TO :,pxe en fcVrr re w w 1 The following service is requested'check one; XXShow to whom and date delivered Show to whom date,and address of delivery C RESTRICTED DELIVERY Show to whom and date delivered C RESTRICTED DELIVERY m Show to whom,date,and address of Delivery $ - 'CONSULT POSTMASTER FOR FEES' c i z 2 ARTICLE ADDRESSED TO m fort Collins Coloradoan m m 1212 Riverside Avenue Fort Collins, CO 80521 79-11 3 ARTICLE DESCRIPTION m REGISTERED NO CERTIFIED NO INSURED NO c 280571 - • SE NDE_R plPt,, ii (Always obtain signature of addressee or agent) �„ r,s5 .n :ni RL I uHN rc ^pace on m rrver,,, O I have received the article described above 2 SIGNATURE Addressee Authorized agent 1 The following service Is requested(check one cn v IX Show to whom and date delivered C c ' Showto whom date ape address of delivery C m 4 ` `"''' ` RESTRICTED DELIVERY Q { DATE OF DELIVERY I POSTMARK Show to whom and date delivered C z ' RESTRICTED DELIVERY o Shy:tc whom dat�o a^d address of or'i very $ m 5 ADDRESS:Comp, teonly.troquested,' H CONSULT POSTMASTER FOR FEES • �_ I z 2 ARTICLE ADDRESSED TO 1, - m Greeley Tribune ( 0 6 UNABLE TO DELIVER BECAUSE D CLERKS m 714 8th Street INITIALS n Greeley, CO 80631 _, 3 ARTICLE DESCRIPTION �� 0 249-595 'P REGISTERED NO CERTIFIED NO INSURED NO ' 280570 :, (Always obtain signature of addressee or agent) m o I have received the article described above z SIGNATURE Addresses , Authorized agent c T°1 4 DATE OF DELIVERY POSTMARK o . _ m5 ADDRESS'Cainp/eta,only I rc.q,,Fstcd,I x m m G 6 UNABLE TO DELIVER BECAUSE CLERK S LS D II/ �IAy Y „ , ' 0 249-595 NOTICE Pursiant'o the zomrq laws ot'r -,tats Of Colorado and the Weld County Land Use Coco a pumA hearing will br hi c o tnr Cr ambers of the Board of County C,""os stoners of Weld County Colorado Weld County Centennial Center,915 10th Street Greeley Colorado, at the time spe('two e+ All persons n any manner int,Vote r'h, Sper 37 Us' Permit on ry ouestr t st *0110 000 O',.1 he heard BE I KNOWN that the maps 50 ccrt bed by the Weld Count,Pian ring Comm ss,dn my OE exammc. r 111E oncce of the Clerk to the Board 0`CCV', Cnm M,svoners located in the WE Co,n 1y Centennial Center,915 10th Str,et Third Floor Greeley Colorado Do.ket No 7911 Platte River Power Authority T'mberline8 Horsetooth Roads Fort Collins CO 80521 Datc Apr 18 1979 P N R,.q ' Sorrel Use Perm t P d alternm(i it routes for Rawhinr r r Prof It Transmission Line MEGA_DESCRIPTION 1,Proposer Route `n R angr 67 West Townsh'p 10 North Sect,dns 31 an 1 y Too.nshhp 9 North Sections o 7 29 30 31 and 32 -township 8 North Sections 4 5 U I7 16 11 22 27 28 33 and o4 Township 7 North Sr chop' an:. ,2 AI*r rna'cc Roues Stun r C InRarar 5'West TOwnsh,c 1C North ';ectionr .9 J0,32 inn 33 Town,r,p 9 North 0, V c ' 16 17 !9 :_ 21 28 29 35 p 9 North Se ',0,c 4 - 9 16 17 17,19 20 21 18 19 30 31 32 rid d ,p, NOrIh Sr'tr A y HE B^..'RJ' . CO ::• '5 ONEc'r WEED COUNTY BY h'ARYi,NNFE'.r0 COUNTY C,IRK AND PC AND C_ERK TO 1 HE BY Ko,rna Hubbrrd Fort Coil n,Cm:rod°,n' a A. ' i I rd -H , �r �r 1-1 v4 ., -H O. 0 s N N pl N O U) $-1 CO d) ul H O �o ▪ < o U) 0 CO U) -r-1 E O O • O U (1t U O O >1 N rd r• -I O O N to ti f u AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION THE JOHNSTOWN BREEZE STATE OF COLORADO ) ) ss. COUNTY OF WELD ) I, Eugene Thomas, do solemnly swear that I am publisher of The Johnstown Breeze; that the same is a weekly PUBLIC NOTICE published printed,in whole or in part,and published in the County of Weld, State of NOTICE OF PUBLIC BEARING Colorado, and has a general circulation The Weld County Planning therein; that said newspaper has been aringCommission will conduct a 1:30 published continuously and uninterrupted- blic p.m on April 3 1979 at 1:30 P p.m to review a request for Isaid County period of approval of a proposed route fora Y in oun Y of Weld for a transmission line from Platte more than fifty-two consecutive weeks River Power Authority on a parcel of land described as (1)Proposed prior to the firsi publication of the annexed Route - In Range 67 West - legal notice or advertisement; that said Township 10 North - Sections 31 g and 30, Township 9 North - newspaper has been admitted to the Sections 6 7,18 19,29,30,31,and 32; Township 8 North-Sections 4 United States mails as second-class matter 5,9,10,15,16,21 22,27,28,33,and under the provisions of the Act of March 3, 34; Township4. ( ) 7 North-Sections 1879,or ay amendments thereof,and that and 4. (2) Alternative Routes Studied - In Range 67 West - Township, 10 North - Sections 19 said newspaper is a weekly newspaper 28North'30, 32, and 4,5,;6T7, 8,s9,i16 duly qualified for publishing legal notices 17,19,20,21, 28 29, 30, 31, 32 and and advertisements within the meaning of 33; Township 8 North-Sections 4, 5 6,7,8,9,18,17,18,19 20,21,28 the laws of the State of Colorado. 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33, Township 'f North-Sections 4,5,6,7,8,9,and That the annexed legal notice or 18 advertisement was published in the aid publichearmggtobe held by regular and entire issue of every number of the Weld County Planning Com- mission for the consideration of said weekly newspaper for the period of the above referenced request will be conducted in the Weld County Commissioners Hearing Room, /.......consecutive insertions; and that the First Floor, Weld County Centen- first publication of said notice was in the nial Center, 915 10th Street, Greeley, Colorado Comments or objections related to the above issue of said newspaper dated 1?& 1S , re uest shouldh be submitted in Department fPlanningServi es A.D. 19....7..?....., and that the last publication 91510thStreet Greeley, Colorado of said notice was in the issue of said 80631, before the above date or April 79 the public hearing on 3 'newspaper dated }1 /-rn ,A.D. 19.2..... Copies of the application are In witness whereof I have hereunto set available for public inspection in the Department of Planning my hand this/��` day of. 1114'l— Services, Room 310, Weld County , Centennial Center 91510th Street, 7 G Greeley, Colorado (356-4000, Ex- A.D. 19.... tension 404). Chuck Carlson, Chairman Weld County Planning Commission y .2 .... To be published in the Johnstown v Publisher Breeze To be published one time be) March 15 Subscribed and sworn to before me a M Co. Legal 1979 (publication date)79-91-Panning Notary Public in and for the County of Weld,State of Colorado, this 46{'- . day of. . V A Dlax-'64, O ' NNotary Public My commission expires 01/f 7198/ • �' N 04 Aa se,`C'eN 42-v-C\- - Q li; Jam.,•--7, F0=rf. � �2 ;"'',-, --_.ts , ';` - RAWHIDE PROJECT — WELD COUNTY ,., Transmission Line Route Alternatives - - — LARIMER WELD COUNTY 'I` COUNTY I • / ! If BUCKEYE Rd. j ; =, --- Is 7- 11 118 • F-,t � -r--- & ,7.1%":,.. '-F, PROPOSED 17 .. ALTERNATE +' �� Y�- . . ��Ati O1 v ROUTE .�` ROUTES ipip 1-L Gliderporf \ ,�%� 0 1• __ �r__- _—______JJ ' 1 w Th'. ./-:-:::v_`ec .T 17 --^_-;- "'yl-- Z•a"i.',: k ,-y— ____4_i. •+.�ti_ riPir... AI O1.---' . • WELLINGTON Cl/ ISIMERBIESINI'Varvic�: :tea COB1-1\„:1 ` � `` '{ LAKE ¢. _Z _sue N s.. -- �y --�__ ��_. OD Lo - a flL -+rte�:S ~ ' `S'a/Yr`,C. � ti • �rex`.y , COLO. 14 I 84 \_, �i�c"c�M----------,--"7. ...O. 4✓ .-.• -r•--� `t FORT -�•'', '''''Yr..,` �,,, ,li��+, .•r EXISTI G 230 KV +` a'7�''v: �� •,r, .� °- .{ t 1• LARIMER I WELD °?' ;-•:'''• 4 ,i`t's i pt.~�'? g." COUNTY COUNTY � � �,, .„ '•�. ' `�-`.Q "ms`s 1 11 r I ,e. _ Sac al_e - --- s#'-=d-�--'--A-¢ -=-r-' 7;:. •E ''^n_ r'.:'_Y ? `g tr' 'P4 -fir'_- -.�v�.•,'.--='&7 . "'g{+s r' r' .4...' ,e '-'n y`F� � "" -r ;;."r -7"'� -y:._ •fie-.Fa7':-_-•,..--_,: ,-,, Tr. r- *'°•�'b� - _ -__ .- 4 , '„,..../. .I.ir ''�' ''-'�zir_n..,..t i .- - -:"A=+ _- •:-_7�r s.� d _ - r' t...it/....-4.f-'-.s...---.. =a-__ -_..s -;_ ,-_.4- = _�•c•_ •s.tz.. -.�:. -,.a, - L _______ _ ___ . • ....._ -Sr.Mid ,„..,_.... ..,.. .,,...w„ ........a�['.L_'`11; q�,y q , „..,.`'IM.3'r' -S,�_F.'!"` . .... .... �..��2� ,... , i, i;' w :-.,- •..•-r::: '. per.' ,-=.4''..k:' h rs_ +t,,: "rtov F 'r,y..`"`,' .ear .'".p,. tid^ S--5�.. 0.75.--,. � .a.Y',,• 't -- .F. •-.r• ! • f',•,.. f .1'.."....,...�"r.-+ • ,., FLOW SHEET APPLICANT: 10tc e 1�t�'(-��c �P� I-\u v,,p�(�� CASE # REQUEST: �ATIA\SOrtvf.- 14h\ t i e -- - LEGAL: \r.f\t\I\ LOCATION: RN;� �, V �,-- DATE I BY Application Received VQ. \ -1.9-11 \ _ Application Fee - Receipt # Recording Fee Application Complete 3.- k5-1A V1 P.C. Hearing Date: PtpYi k 11\0i1(11 ,.-\S-lq VT Letter to Applicant Drafted 7:-'\Co-11 V.T. Referrals Listed - 1- 110-11 VT Field Check by D.P.S . Staff File Assembled \�\�� • Referrals Mailed N\ Chaindexed Notification of Applicant c �.�� r Surrounding Property Owners Researched N/A Airphoto/Vicinity Map Preapred 3- 12_ Property Owners Notified by: (Wax �� Q N/R Agendas Mailed by: (b\p.y c ,. 'a.1 t 19,11 Legal Approved by County Attorney Referrals - Complete '1- o . 19 Preliminary D.P.S. Staff Comments 4 1ct 'cQ)ec Staff Conference D.P.S . Comments "rq � P.C. Hearing Action: P.C. Resolution Case Sent to Clerk to Board C.C. Hearing Action : C.C. Resolution Received History Card Complete C.C. Resolution Sent to Drafting Drafted on Mylar Document Sent to Clerk and Recorder P.C. Minutes � �� ■ REFERRAL LIST APPLICANT Platte River Power Authority CASE # SUP-380:79:2 REFERRALS SENT OUT ON: March 7, 1979 REFERRALS RECEIVED EBXiixYXxXXIMMY latEMX XXXXXIM MAR 13 ,19F6 County Engineer Irma White Box 343 Ault , Colorado 80610 Jim Gilbert Rural Route 2 , Box 509 Eaton , Colorado 80615 MAR 18 1919 Colorado Geological Survey Dave Shelton 1313 Sherman Street Room 703 Denver, Colorado 80203 Don Bogart MAR 15 i919 Division of Wildlife 317 West Prospect Box 2287 Fort Collins, Colorado 80521 Larimer County Department of Planning Services 200 West Oak Fort Collins, Colorado 80521 Poudre Valley Canal MAR 2 9 1979 c/o Vivienne I . Woodward P.O. Box 1584 Fort Collins , Colorado 80521 Pierce Lateral c/o,( arvey x ,1 son P.O. Box 88 'Ault, Color611-6---gOgr3MAR 29 1979 Water Supply and Storage Company c/o Vivienne I . Woodward P.O. Box 1584 Fort Collins, Colorado 80521 DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING SEPV ICES PHONE (303)356.4000 EXT 4^.4 915 10TH STREET GREELEY,COLORADO 80631 1L] LcCASE NUMBER SUP-380 : 79 : 2 COLORADO REFERRAL March 7 , 1979 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: Poudre Valley Canal Enclosed is an application from Platte River Power Authority for a Proposed route for a transmission line • The parcel of land is described as (Please see attached) The location of the parcel of land for which this application has been submitted is 1F miles long from 8 miles west of Nunn and 22 miles north of Windsor to 6 miles north of Windsor near Black Hollow PeservniT This item is submitted to your office for review and recommendations . Any comments or recommendations you consider relevant to this item would be appreciated. If you find no conflicts with your interests, we would appreciate a written reply to include in our files, or check the box at the bottom of this page and return it to us. We would like to receive your comments by March 14 , 1979 so that we can complete our review before the scheduled Planning Commission meeting . Thank you very much for your help and cooperat ' "n this r 28 930`?), matter. 'L� ct) r‘, MAR 1979 I _ cc -! RECEIVED , Ji C�, 1 V o-A�-r o we Couaty ` ! Assistant Zoning Administrator c PlammagCoafflissies c 47 Si Pi we have reviewed the plans and find no conflict wit interests on the proposed rout for a transmission line. Signed ,ile �/ ✓ �r •/ � � Date March 27, 1979 ANWAY President DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING SERV'CS PHONE (303)356-4000 EXT 404 915 10TH STREET GREELEY,COLORADO 80631 7\ d � , ] I CASE NUMBER SUP-380 : 79 : 2 O COLORADO REFERRAL March 7 , 1979 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: Water Supply and Storage Company Enclosed is an application from Platte River Power Authority for a Proposed route for a transmission line • The parcel of land is described as (Please see attached) The location of the parcel of land for which this application has been submitted is 1F: miles long from 8 miles west of Nunn and 22 miles north of Windsor to 6 miles north of Windsor near Black Hollow Reservoir This item is submitted to your office for review and recommendations. Any comments or recommendations you consider relevant to this item would be appreciated. If you find no conflicts with your interests, we would appreciate a written reply to include in our files, or check the box at the bottom of this page and return it to us. We would like to receive your comments by March 14 , 1979 so that we can complete our review before the scheduled Planning Commission meeting . Thank you very much for your help and cooperation in this matter . 1 a O3, flC ` , MAR 1979 5, \ To-AL--r RECEIVED �. Assistant Zoning Administrator n *WEoI Planning CoueisslN Co (:61` �Or We have reviewed the plans and find no conflict wi jwelgo_ erests. on the roposed route for a transmission line. d Signe ��- _ � Date March 27, 1979 ti 41 , mmonnum 111(11-111111e. To Planning Commission Date March 13, 1979 COLORADO From Gilman E. Olson, Utility Administrator Subject: Platte River Power Authority Transmission Line Proposal From the bad experience that this department suffered during construction of the Platte River Power Authority's transmission line in the County right-of-way on Weld County Road 3 and the problems the existing structures now cause, we can not recommend any transmission line to be installed on Weld County right-of-way. The Engineering Department's recommended route would be the one going straight south from the proposed power plant, as shown on Figure 9-3. If the proposed eastern line must go in Weld County, then we would recommend to use the preferred route till it reaches Weld County Road 17, then south on said Weld County Road 17 to Weld County Road 84, then east on private property, as shown on Figure 9-3, to Weld County Road 19. An approved Weld County Underground and Utility Permit shall be required whenever any utility is installed along or across any Weld County right- of-way including overhead lines. At no time should the applicant be exempt from the County regulations that state, if structures are located on County right-of-way and it becomes necessary to move said structure it shall be done at the applicant's expense. Also the attached copy of the Resolution, dated December 12, 1972, should be followed when line crosses Weld County roads. Gi man E. Olson Utility Administrator GEO:sar Reviewed and Approved By: . t Drew L. Scheltinga Rodney)). Hutchinson ..,.a • COURTLYN W. HOTCHKISS DISTRICT I EXT 566 DISTRICT I ER LARIMER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS EXT 266 P.O. Box 1190 4 . DAVID C.WEITZEL FORT COLLINS,COLORADO 80522 ' DISTRICT III 221-2100 - r" 1 EXT 267 669-3646 `� \�� a Goo. May 16 , 1979 Mr. Norman Carlson, Chairman Board of County Commissioners Weld County Courthouse Greeley, CO 80631 Dear Norm: The Board of County Commissioners of Larimer County wish to express their appreciation for the time the Weld County Commissioners took in a meeting with us on Tuesday, May 8 to discuss the routing of the easterly Rawhide transmission line. The purpose of this letter is to inform you of Larimer County's action on that particular issue. On May 9 , 1979 the Larimer County Planning Commission unanimously adopted the following motion as a recommendation to the Larimer County Commissioners: "The Larimer County Planning Commission recommends approval of the proposed route for the western transmission line of the Rawhide Plan as designated on Figure 9-3 in the solid line, and also recommends approval of the Eastern route along the County Line Road from the Northeast corner of the State School Land south, but strongly urges that PRPA be directed to work with Weld County on an agreement for the more easterly route, passing Black Hollow Reservoir, designated on Figure 9-3 with a solid line, thereby impacting fewer Weld County residents" . On Wednesday, May 16, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the same motion recommended to us by the County Planning Commission. We hope that Larimer County's decision on this matter is Louis Brown Jr., Administrative Assistant Ext. 280 _ _N , :< J! Page 2 A . satisfactory and is useful to you in your deliberations on the same issue. Sincerely, Nona Thayer, Chairman NT/g I r n ( 4 AGRICUL IRE COUNCIL OF WELD C( JTY "Progress Through Unity" Jan. x,8 ,1979 Board of County Commissioners . Weld County, Certenrial Center Greeley, Colo. NATIONAL Dear Sirs : FARMERS ORGANIZATION N >,- * The Weld County Agriculture Council has looked F cottErTIVE O BARGAINING at the power line route in western Weld county as proposed by the Platte River Power Ass. The line Rocky Mountain was moved from the eastern edge of Larimer county Farmers Union U to Weld county apparently from resider t opposition. The Larimer County route will go through less farm WELD COUNTY Agri l 'VJOirlen land than the Weld County route. It will involve W. I . F. E. only one set of farm buildings. The Weld county land owners aeti_oneT' the council for help in oppos- WELD COUNTY ing the line. The area in the very near future will LIVESTOCK ASSOCIATION have annother line coming from Wheatland, Wyoming. WELD COUNTY The Ag Council requests that the Weld County Comm- TAXPAYERS' ASSOCIATION issioners help in having this line routed back into AA. y,_�,* Larfimer County. The council voted Ii"�nnimously in Y r, •4_ : • favor of backing the landowners in their request. Sincerel' C_. 1-r✓ J. Tlnrm'in Brown Pre;' f "icnt Weld County Cowhelles ��s 1234S6 Alelr i c-n Agriculture . Movement . ff.?, Weld County "WO �-U Cve6I e !_\,•3v q4 -' ,NI STATE OF COLORADO Richard D.Lamm,Governor gg�� DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF WILDLIFE o - Jack R. Grieb, Director , 3 -, k 9 ti 6060 Broadway O4r OF Denver, Colorado 80216 (825-1192) P.O. Box 2287 Fort Collins, CO 80522 March 12, 1979 Department of Planning Ms. Vickie Traxler 915 10th Street Greeley, CO 80631 Dear Ms. Traxier: SUBJECT: Case # SUP-380:79:2 Thank you for your notice of comment on the Platte River transmission corridor. The time to review the matter has been somewhat short and not all of the people involved have been contacted for their input. It is felt that the proposed route will present the fewest problems to us. However, if some of the alternate routes are used, they will present some rather serious problems, but as these are either in Larimer County or on the county line, no comment will be made now. Sinc rely, Donald Bog Environmen 1 Biologist DB:cc o MAR 1979 orc RECEIVED Weld county ,y Planting Couisslen ti DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Harris Sherman, Executive Director • WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Sam Caudill, Chairman Michael Higbee, Vice Chairman • Jay K.Childress, Secretary • Jean K.Tool,Member • Vernon C.Williams,Member Thomas Farley, Member • Roger Clark, Member • Wilbur Redden,Member y" COirrt RICHARD D LAMM * � * JOHN W. ROLD GOVERNOR * ,r * Director 7876 COLORADO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES 715 STATE CENTENNIAL BUILDING-1313 SHERMAN STREET DENVER,COLORADO 80203 PHONE (303)839-2611 March 16, 1979 Ms. Vickie Traxler Weld County Department of Planning Services 915 10th Street Greeley, CO 80631 Dear Ms. Traxler: RE: TRANSMISSION LINE, PLATTE RIVER POWER AUTHORITY/ CASE NO. SUP-380:79:2 We have reviewed the maps showing the proposed alternate routes for the transmission line from the Platte River Power Authority Rawhide plant. The geotechnical concerns do not differ significantly for the alternatives. We therefore express no preference between these alternatives at this time. If we can be of further assistance, please contact our office. Sincerely, David C. Shelton Engineering Geologist DCS/vt cc: Land Use Commission`fimoo. oR 1913 ‘-`O. cove- , kri:vositium GEOLOGY STORY OF THE PAST . . . KEY TO THE FUTURE 4, . NOTICE OF WELD coma PUBLIC HEARINGS TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Platte River Authority, a political subdivision of the State of Colorado, intends to acquire a right-of-way along county roads and across private lands in Weld County for the purpose of constructing, operating, and maintaining a proposed electric transmission line from its proposed Rawhide Energy Project (north of Wellington) to a point near Black Hollow Reservoir. Weld County will hold two hearings regarding the pro- posed route of said transmission line: Weld County Planning Commission Tuesday, April 3, 1979 - 1:30 p.m. County Commissioners ' Hearing Room, 1st Floor Weld County Centennial Center 915 10th Street Greeley, Colorado Board of County Commissioners Wednesday, April 18, 1979 - 2:00 p.m. County Commissioners ' Hearing Room, 1st Floor Weld County Centennial Center 915 10th Street Greeley, Colorado Interested landowners and members of the public are invited to attend. Copies of Platte River's Transmission Line Siting reports concerning this line are available for inspection at the following locations: (1) Weld County Department of Planning Services Weld County Centennial Center 915 10th Street Greeley, Colorado (2) Municipal Offices in Wellington and Fort Collins (3) Platte River Power Authority Timberline & Horsetooth Roads Fort Collins, Colorado A-ltre-rt 3. _Hami l ton General--Manager ' BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF �LATTE RIVER POWER AUTHORITY , 41‘csi- 7 /� DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING SERVICES PHONE (303)356-4000 EXT 404 915 10TH STREET GREELEY,COLORADO 80631 • COLORADO NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Weld County Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing on April 3, 1979 at 1 : 30 p .m. to review a request for approval of a proposed route for a transmission line from Platte River Power Authority on a parcel of land described as : (1) Proposed Route - In Range 67 West-Township 10 North - Sections 31 and 30; Township 9 North - Sections 6 , 7, 18, 19, 29, 30, 31, and 32; Township 8 North - Sections 4, 5 , 9, 10, 15, 16 , 21, 22 , 27, 28 , 33, and 34 ; Township 7 North -- Sections 3 and 4. (2) Alternative Routes Studied - In Range 67 West-Township 10 North Sections 19, 28, 29, 30, 32 , and 33 ; Township 9 North - Sections 4, 5, 6 , 7, 8 , 9, 16 , 17, 19, 20 , 21, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33 ; Township---lruBiiCNOTICE Sections 4, 5, 6 , 7, 8 , 9, 16 , 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 28 , 29, NOTICEOFPUBLICHEARING 32 , and 33; Township 7 North - Sections 4 , 5 , 6 , 7, 8 , 9, The Weld County Planning Commission w;l conduct a public hearing o 1 Api\'\s e, 1979 at 1 30 p m to 1..,few,a request for approval of a pro, sea route for a transmission sin\ rom Platte This public hearing to be held by the Weld County Planning River PowerAutho i•y.onapalrcel of land described as (1)Pro Deed for the consideration of the above referenced request W1llRoute - In Range 67 west - Township 10 North - Sections 31 conducted in the Weld County Commissioners Hearing Room, Fand 30, Township 9 North - Weld County Centennial Center, 915 10th Street , Greeley, C32cTownSii' 8Noeth-sectons4 5,9,10,15,16,21 22,27,28,33,and Comments or objections related to the above request should34; Township7fVorth-Sections3 and 4 (2) Alternative Routes mitted in writing to the Weld County Department of Plannin Studied - In Range 67 West - 915 10th Street , Greeley , Colorado 80631 , before the abov2g 29,31i, 32, and 33,Toy°nip 9 North-Sections 4,5, 6,7, 8, 9, 16 presented at the public hearing on April 3,1979.17,19,20,21,28 , 31,32 and 33, Township 8 North-Sections 4, 5 6,7,8,9,16,17,18,19 20,21,28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33, Township 7 Copies of the application are available for public inspectsNorth-Sections 4,5,6,7,8,9,and the Department of Planning Services , Room 310, Weld County This public hearing tobeK held by Center, 915 10th Street , Greeley, Colorado (356-4000, Exte the We d Crotheycons d anon of the above referenced request will be conducted in the Weld County Chuck Carlson, Chairman Commissioners Hearing Room, Weld County Planning Commission First Floor, Street, County te , nial Center, 915 10th Greeley, Colorado. Comments or objections related to the above reqnest should be submitted in To be published in the Johnstown Breese wricing to the weld County Department of Planning Services, To be published one time by : March 15 , 1979 (publication ( 91510th Street,Greeley, Colorado 80631, before the above date or presented at the public hearing on Received by: �'c,s' (,va„yyg April 3, 1979 Copies of the application are Date : 1 Z - 7 9 • available for public inspection in 3 the Department of Planning Services, Room 310, Viflld County Centennial Center,915 `Street, Greeley, Colorado (3:(?a100, Ex- tension 404) Chuck Carlson, Chairm;3n Weld County Planning Commission To be published in the Johnstown Breeze To be published one time by. March 15 1979 (publication date Co. Legal 79-91-Planrung Statement Names Eric W. and Janice M. Wilkinson Address: 42720 Weld County Road 13 Ft. Collins, Colorado 80524 (2.6 miles north of Highway 14 on County Line Road, Weld County residents) _ Phone: 221-3066 Subject: Environmental Impact Statement; Supplement Transmission Line Siting Study Date : December 4, 1978 We present this statement to voice our strong opposition to the proposed use of the County Line Route as the site for the Platte River Power Authority (PRPA) eastern 230kV transmission line. We will pre- sent the reasons why we are so strongly opposed to this route, note several errors we feel exist in the supplemental siting study, suggest an additional alternative which we feel merits consideration, and pre- sent questions which should be answered in your final environmental analysis prior to the final route selection for this transmission line. My wife and I are both natives of Colorado. My wife was born in Colorado Springs and I was born and raised in Fort Collins. It is quite easy for me to remember Fort Collins as a small town with an agriculturally based economy. Several years ago, some of the local government leaders felt growth would be good for the town and began a campaign to attract light industry. As is quite obvious, the cam- paign was a great success, and the town has grown, with the economy no longer based on agriculture but on light industry and growth. Fort Collins' growth started out as a small snowball at the top of a long hill. As time passed, the farther it rolled, the faster it grew. We are now at a point in time where we are told available energy sources will be unable to meet projected demands, thereby making the need for a power plant such as Rawhide inevitable. Rawhide will be a product of a foundation laid many years ago, and has become a necessary evil. Our only hope is that Rawhide does not give additional momentum to that proverbial snowball, rolling it farther and faster downhill, taking the quality of life in this area downhill with it. Our strong opposition is not to the power plant, but is to PRPA's use of the County Line Route for their power line. This route, in our estimation is less desirable than many of PRPA's alternate routes. • - 2 - We, like all of our neighbors who live in Weld County, across the road from the proposed County Line Route, would be adversely affected by the construction of this transmission line. However, since the lines would not cross our property, we would receive no compensation for our losses. In 1976, when we purchased the land where we now live, one of the primary considerations in the purchase, was the view we had of the front range. This view extends from approximately Pikes Peak to a point well north of Fort Collins. In locating, designing, and building our house in 1977, the view of the front range was the primary consideration. This is very obvious if one would consider the orient- ation of the house on the property as well as the floor plan of our home. The view which we have is very valuable to us and like our neighbors, the construction of the power line along this route would literally destroy that view. In our opinion, this is depriving our neighbors and us of our property, as the view is an intrinsic value associated with our real estate, without just compensation. It is amazing to us how PRPA can, with clear conscience, propose such an arrangement. Many of our close neighbors would not only be deprived of their view, but would suffer personal hardship if the County Line Route is chosen. Our neighbors immediately to the north, have a child who suffers from a heart ailment, which, doctors say, may someday require a pacemaker. Their doctor has recommended that if the transmission lines are constructed near their home, the family should move. Has this severe impact been included in your analysis of routing alter- natives? Another family to the north, the Boes family, also has a child with a heart condition. Their doctor cannot yet determine what effect the presence of the transmission line will have on the child's condi- tion. Should the child's condition worsen following the construction of the lines, is PRPA willing to assume the responsibility? Both of these personal cases, as well as others involving the Boes family were discussed in the public hearing on November 30, 1978. In addition to the personal impacts which would be experienced, there are the impacts to agriculture which would also be suffered. In PRPA's supplemental analysis of alternate routes, the least impact to agriculture is shown to be along the County Line Route. This is totally erroneous; anyone who is at all familiar with agriculture in this area would have to concur. Possibly part of the problem with the inaccurate assessment of agricultural impact is the wrong classifica- tion of land use shown on the siting map contained in the supplemental routing study, particularly in regard to the area adjacent to the - 3 - the county line road. The errors are too numerous to mention in this statement but include classifying irrigated land as a subdivision (the application for that subdivision has been denied by the Larimer County Planning and Zoning Board), representing quality irrigated cropland as non-irrigated cropland, and not recognizing the existence of a private airplane landing field, even though it had been called to the attention of Mr. Hamilton. If this map is to be used as a basis of choosing the transmission line route, PRPA must be sure of its com- plete accuracy. Unless the transmission line is going to be located on the county road right-of-way, the impact the construction would have on irrigated farmland is many times more severe than would occur on non-irrigated farmland. Irrigated farming requires more cultivation and soil pre- paration than does dryland farming. Below is listed the minimum number of operations required to raise an average year's irrigated row crop. This, of course, will vary with the crop, soils conditions, and weather conditions. Minimum Number of Operation Passes through field Disk previous crop's stubble 1 Plow 1 • Mulch (Roller Harrow) 1 Fertilize 1 Incorporate Fertilizer 1 Level 1 Field cultivate prior to planting 1 Plant crop 1 Cultivate crop 1 Ditch for irrigation & cultivate 2 Irrigate 3 Spray (herbicide & insecticide) 2 Harvest 1 TOTAL (One year's crop) 17 If these lines were constructed through any row crop irrigated field along the County Line Road as proposed, each and every one of the above operations would be adversely affected each year from the date of construction into the foreseeable future. This could result in future expenditures of many thousands of dollars in both equipment and labor costs by the affected landowners. If PRPA 'is to properly compensate the owner, as it promises it will, costs to PRPA could be quite large. As can be seen, this impact would be severe. The alternate routes proposed in the supplemental report would pass through correctly classified rangeland and non-irrigated crop- land. Since rangeland is not cultivated but only grazed, the agri- cultural impact of the transmission lines would be minimal. Impact - 4 - on dryland farming would be far less than that experienced by its irrigated counterpart. In this area, because of the arid climate, dryland farming is done on a two-year cycle, one year of crop and one year of fallow. Below is listed the estimated number of opera- tions required to produce a winter wheat crop (this is a two year cycle). Number of passes Operation through field Chisel or disk previous crop stubble 1 One-way or plow stubble 1 Apply nitrogen to aid in decomposition of plant residue 1 Disk, field cultivate, or sweep fallow 1 Rod weed fallow 2 Plant 1 Spray (Aerial-herbicide & insecticide) 2 Harvest 1 TOTAL (Two-year's crop) 10 The average number of passes in a one-year period would then be five as compared to 17 for irrigated land, or less than one-third as many operations. In addition, cropping patterns in dryland farming are much easier to change as they are relatively independent of topographic constraints. Conversely, irrigated crop patterns are extremely difficult to alter, as they are strictly dictated by topographic characteristics of the land, and the location of canals, pumps, and head ditches. Dryland cropping patterns could be altered to adapt to the existence of transmission lines, something that would be impossible to do with irrigated land. In addition dryland farming does not require the precision in each operation necessary in irrigated farming. Time spent working around towers in dryland farming would be minimal compared to the time spent working under the several con- straints of irrigated farming. We seriously question that this type of analysis was conducted in determining the agricultural impact scores shown in the supplemental report. We challenge PRPA to correct their land use map and to present a realistic analysis of agricultural impact. This review should result in dramatically increasing the score for agricultural impact on the County Line Route. We also question whether the supplemental report has analyzed the effect these lines will have on related agri-business along the County Line Route. Within one and one-half miles north of Highway 14, there are four privately owned feedlots, the largest of which will be directly under the proposed County Line Route. What affect will these lines have on these operations? Have any studies been done anywhere to determine if transmission lines affect weight gain or feeding efficiency? Will cattle be afraid to drink or feed because of possible nuisance shocks from waterers, feed bunks, or fences? Will cattle become nervous because of the hum and crackling of the - 5 - • transmission lines during a rain or snow storm? If any or all of the above possibilities become a reality, is PRPA willing to compen- sate the feedlot owners for the losses that will be suffered? Most important, have these costs been included in the cost analysis of the County Line Route? The validity of the comparative costs contained within the supple- mental transmission line siting study is highly questionable. Accord- ind to this study, line costs per mile are constant regardless of the route under study. It would be impossible to purchase right-of-way through irrigated farmland for the same price as through dryland or rangeland. If PRPA is to compensate for losses and damages incurred because of their power line installation, it may be possible to purchase title to rangeland or dryland for the same price as the right-of-way alone would cost through irrigated farmland. Yet, this differential is not indicated in the cost analysis, which would show the County Line Route economically much less desirable. Other numbers contained in the cost analysis make us question the credibility of the entire cost comparison. For example, the study shows a cost of $100,000 for each 90° bend in the transmission line, but quotes a cost of only $20,000 for each 45° bend. If this is truly the case, why aren't all 90° bends in PRPA's lines designed as two closely spaced 45° bends. The 90° bend would then cost only $40,000, leaving the other $60,000 to be used in the additional land acquisition necessary for the additional bend, legal costs, or project savings. • If these costs are accurate, no self-respecting engineer would ever design a 90° bend into a transmission line. He would instead sub- stitute two closely spaced 45c bends and realize the 50% - 60% savings. If this practice were applied to the various alternatives, this would reduce their costs by $60,000 for each 90° bend in the respective alternatives. For example, the differential cost as compared with the County Line Route of C2-C4 would be $90,000, and of C1-C4 would be only $5,000. These additional costs could easily be exceeded by court costs to PRPA if the County Line Route is chosen and all affected Weld County residents decided to attempt collection of compensation from PRPA for damage to their property and view. If cost comparisons are to be made and are to be the basis for transmission route selection, these costs should be accurate and specific. Arbitrary and blanket cost figures should never be used in a "professional" study. We feel that if an in-depth economic study is made, alternatives other than the County Line Route will become economically attractive. We would also like to point out a gross error in PRPA's supple- mental report in regard to the "Relative Scores for Compliance with Criteria" and "Weighted Scores by Route". We call to your attention the category "Conflicts with Distribution Lines", under alternative C1-C4 on both the above mentioned tables. On the "Relative Scores" table this item shows a value of -2064. The value shown in the "Weighted Scores" table is 214, a value ten times greater than the next highest scoring alternative route. If the relative score formula at the lower right portion of the "Relative Scores" table is properly - 6 - applied with the respective numbers shown on the two tables, assuming the -206% value is correct, the value of 214 shown in the "Weighted Scores" table should be 21.4, a value more compatible with other values in the same category under alternate routes, and a value which we feel is probably correct. We would like to point out the table near the front of the supple- mental report entitled "Comparative Costs and Environmental Impact for Alternative Eastern Transmission Routes". In the category, "Environ- mental Impact" under the item "Other Impacts", Route C1-C4, a value of 402 is shown. As explained above, if the value of 21.4 is indeed correct on the "Weighted Scores" table, this value of 402 should actually be 210. This would result in a total "Environmental Impact" score of 450 for Route C1-C4, scoring 60 points less than the County Line Route. The correction of this error will result in a total score reduction of alternative C1-C4 of 192 points, an error of over 42%. Errors of this magnitude cannot be tolerated in a professional study, and it is inconceivable how an error of this magnitude could uninten- tionally escape the review of competent professionals. Again, if this study is to be the basis for route selection, it should be accurate and complete. We would point out that according to the weighted scores con- tained in the report, the County Line Route scores highest in both the category of "Residential and Other Property" and "Visual Prom- inence from Houses". The only category in which the County Line Route scores lowest is in the "Agriculture" category. We feel, as stated earlier, that this score is erroneous and if properly evaluated, will be significantly higher. We sincerely feel that if the above mentioned corrections and additional studies are made, it will become very obvious that the eastern alternatives for the transmission line route are far more desirable to PRPA than the County Line Route, both from an economic and environmental standpoint. In addition, routes such as C1-C4, shown to be both economically and environmentally more attractive above, would be more aesthetically pleasing to the region. This route would locate the line below the ridgeline, for people living both east and west of the corridor, thereby eliminating the unpleasant view of these lines on anyone's horizon. Although these alternatives may, in certain cases, be somewhat more expensive than the County Line Route, PRPA has a moral obligation as a quasi-public agency to lessen real impacts on the region and its citizens. We would like to propose a seventh alternative to PRPA's County Line Route. This alternative would follow the County Line Route to the point where the Hayden-Ault 345kV line crosses into Weld County heading southeast. It will then parallel the 345kV line until it intersects with the C4 route, a distance of appromimately 6.1 miles, or for a parallel distance of 3.8 miles greater than in Alternative B. This route will then turn south and follow route C4. Economically, this is by far a superior route, having a total - 7 - distance of approximately 20.9 miles. Using the cost figures con- tained in the supplemental report, the total cost of this alterna- tive would be $4,803,000, or $262,000 less than the County Line Route. Environmentally, we feel that this route may have the least impact, if a compatible design could be achieved between PRPA's line and the Hayden line. The agricultural impact of the Hayden line has already been realized, and the incremental impact that would be suffered by a compatible parallel line would be minimal. In addition, the visual impact on the environment has already been suffered as a result of the Hayden line and, again if a compatible design was utilized in PRPA's lines, little additional impact would occur. If existing transmission line corridors can be utilized we feel they should be used. There is nothing to be gained by creating new corridors for each new power line. It does not seem logical to have lines routed haphazardly through the county, when, with a little planning and forethought, such a situation can be avoided. We sincerely hope that we have presented enough evidence and have pointed out enough fallacies, errors and shortcomings with the ' Supplement - Transmission Line Siting Study that PRPA will be com- pelled to reexamine this study and correct its many shortcomings. Siting selection for PRPA's 230kV eastern transmission line should be done based on a professional study, objectively done, which con- tains and analyzed all the facts and variables pertinent to making an intelligent decision. This is not only necessary from a business- economic standpoint, but is morally and ethically required of PRPA. We again emphasize we are strongly opposed to the proposed use of the County Line Route as the site for PRPA's eastern 230kV trans- mission line. We are confident that if the facts, questions, fallacies, and errors noted in this statement, are properly studied, that the County Line Route will be shown to be impractical from both an econ- omical and environmental standpoint. We feel that we have proven that either Alternative Route C1-C4 or the Alternative route out- lined above would be viable alternatives to the less desirable County Line Route. We appreciate your consideration of all facts contained herein. • • 52: C) , tO , Eric W. Wilkinson (.7)e)„..,,L.L.<__q Janice M. Wilkinson 1 .0520 Weld County Line 17 Ft. Collins, Co. 80524 June 24, 1979 Weld County Commissioners 915 10th St. Greeley, Co. 80631 Dear Sirs: I read an article in the Ft. Collins Coloradoan reporting that you have requested a feasibility study for locating the transmission line from the Rawhide plant along Weld County line 17. As a resident along that county line, I 'd hope you would consider putting the power line along county road 19 which already has a transmission line from the Ault station south and then east. Although there are fewer residents living along county line 17, I would not like to have it blocking our magnificent view of the Front Range, which county line 19 lacks in the immediate area due to the rolling terrain, Please consider impacting only one corridor for the Rawhide trasmission line and also relieve the additional agricultural owners who are also highly affected by the line coming along county road 17. Thank you, r (,,i Glenda Cowles / ///2 - /GY':' e / , A 42720 Weld County Road 13 Ft. Collins, Colorado 80524 December 4, 1978 Platte River Power Authority c/o Mr. Albert J. Hamilton, General Manager Timberline and Horsetooth Roads Ft. Collins, Colorado 80525 Re: Environmental Impact Statement Supplement Transmission Line Siting Dear Gentlemen: Enclosed is our statement against the proposed use of the County Line Route as the site for your eastern 230kv transmission line. In the statement we present the reasons why we feel that the County Line Route is not desirable and why it is impractical both economically and environmentally; suggest an additional alternative which we believe merits consideration; and present questions which we feel should be answered in your final environmental analysis. We sincerely hope that the facts presented will show that indeed the County Line Route is not the best route , neither environmentally nor economically. Please give our statement your full consideration and make it part of the public record. Sincerely, (Z)ct--va-4—c—es M• Janice M. Wilkinson Eric W. Wilkinson Enclosure yield County Com isaioncra Gentlemen: I live on the dividing line bot Coen Lnri,i .r County and :told County, and an oppoaod to the Ra.;'.iido Poor linen Coning down thie road. Ile only have a mall acro'g ,and any of t] e towers on our property would eliminato some of our alfalfa and pasture. I feel -Lao power oome ny could find a bettor route for it's; power lines tb.i.t wouldn't disturb ago many houcos and small f r.]8• Ploaao r©conoicor and find an alternate route for tLo po,ror ling. Thank you, (L C6'2 Rivb rd C. Allen 6932 E. County :-;L 48 Ft. 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D. Thakkar J. F. Torri, P.E. Approved by: Commonwealth Associates Inc. Jackson, Michigan I *110.041ede4a040tit ._ July 25, 1975 F. A. Denbrock P.E. Group Vice President TABLE OF CONTENTS Page SUMMARY ii CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS iii INTRODUCTION 1 CORONA 1 1. Ozone and Oxides of Nitrogen 1 2. Audible Noise 2 AN Analysis of the Proposed 230 kV and 115 kV Facilities 3 3. Electromagnetic Influence 4 RI Analysis of the Proposed Transmission Line 4 Television Influence 5 Evaluation of Television Influence 5 4. Induction 6 Electrostatic Induction Effects 6 Analysis of the Electrostatic Ground Gradients of the Proposed 230 kV Circuits 7 Electromagnetic Induction Effects 7 Analysis of the Electromagnetic Field of the Proposed 230 kV Transmission Line 8 Evaluation of Electromagnetic Induction 8 REFERENCES 9 SUMMARY Platte River Power Authority plans to construct a 230 kV overhead alternating current transmission line between Boyd Substation near Loveland, Colorado, and Longmont Substation near Longmont, Colorado. From Boyd Substation to approximately 4.8 miles south, the line will be constructed on double circuit poles to accommodate a future 115 kV Tri State G & T circuit. From that point the line will be constructed for 6.5 miles on 230 kV single circuit poles to the proposed Longmont Substation. The line continues for approximately 2.5 miles on double circuit poles, at 115 kV to a tap structure near Longmont. Structure configurations are shown on Figure 1. Initially the line will be energized at 115 kV and in approximately 5 years the voltage of one circuit will be increased to 230 kV. ii CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Electrical environmental effects produced by Corona and Induction on the 230 kV line should not produce adverse effects except for some possible deterioration in radio or television reception. In the unforeseen event that reception problems are caused by the proposed line, it is suggested that the Platte River Power Authority offer to assist residents in restoring the reception quality of local radio and television stations to that existing prior to the operation of the proposed line. Correction of reception problems should be considered only on an individual, case-by-case basis. Possible corrective measures for radio interference include re-orientation of the radio itself to take advantage of the directional properties of the internal antenna, or possibly installation of an outdoor antenna farther removed from the line. Generally, correction of TV reception can be obtained through appropriate modifications of the receiving antenna. Such modifications might include replacement of the lead-in conductor, re-direction of the antenna, or a change in its height, or if necessary, relocation or replacement of the antenna. iii INTRODUCTION A complete assessment of the electrical environmental impact of the proposed 230 kV and 115 kV transmission facilities requires a detailed evaluation of the various electrical effects on the environment. The purpose of this report is to examine the effects and anticipated impacts of the proposed facilities. All 230 kV alternating current overhead transmission lines produce several types of electrical effects resulting from corona and induction. The electrical environmental effects which may be produced by corona include: (1) Generation of ozone and oxides of nitrogen (2) Audible noise emission (3) Radio and television influence The electrical environmental effects of transmission line inductions include: (1) Electrostatically induced voltages and/or currents (2) Electromagnetically induced voltages and/or currents CORONA Corona itself is a harmless electric phenomena. It occurs when the air surrounding the conductors no longer acts as a good insulator and conducts a small amount of electricity. It is practically negligible during fair weather (with the conductors dry) and increases as weather conditions worsen (the highest corona occurs during heavy fog and rain). Sometimes at night during rainy or foggy weather, corona may be seen as a bluish white glow around the conductors and ground wires. Corona during fair weather conditions is very small, estimated to be less than 4 kilowatts per three-phase mile, and for all practical purposes can be considered to be negligible. However, during inclement weather conditions, (rain, fog, snow, etc.) corona increases. Corona loss calculations for the proposed line were made using a base case method (Reference 1), for the conductor configuration shown in Figure 1. The maximum corona loss for the 230 kV circuit is expected to be less than 20 kilowatts per three-phase mile — a low value. In the following sections the magnitude of the effects, associated with corona and induction for the proposed line design, are discussed. An assessment of the anticipated impacts on the environment and people is developed. 1. Ozone and Oxides of Nitrogen Chemically, ozone is O3 — a special type of oxygen molecule containing 3 atoms. Ozone is produced naturally by lightning and solar radiation (Reference 2) reacting with airborne hydrocarbon molecules typically prevalent over metropolitan areas. Corona can also produce ozone and oxides of 1 nitrogen in the air surrounding the conductor. Man-made production of nitrogen oxides (Reference 3) is more difficult because higher energies are required than for ozone production. Consequently, production rates of oxides of nitrogen are approximately 10 percent of the ozone rate (Reference 4). No emission rate standards for transmission lines have been reported in the literatures of CIGRE, ANSI, NEPA or the IEEE. However, the Environmental Protection Agency has Primary and Secondary Air Quality regulations. These regulations limit the ground level concentrations (at the edge of right-of-way) to a maximum of (Reference 5): Photochemical Oxidants (Ozone): 0.080 parts per million (ppm) for any 1 hour period not to be exceeded more than once a year Oxides of nitrogen: .050 ppm — annual arithmetic mean The maximum level of ozone emission from the proposed 230 kV circuit has been estimated using References 6-9. The maximum 1 hour average ozone concentration at the edge of the right-of-way is estimated to be less than .008 ppm above ambient, assuming: (1) The 230 kV line from the Boyd Substation to Longmont Substation site is straight and 11.3 miles long (2) The wind is very stable at 1 mile per hour and blowing for more than 14 hours (3) Corona loss is assumed to be 20 kilowatts per three-phase mile with the 230 kV conductors energized at 230 kilovolts. The ozone contribution from the 115 kV line is very small and is therefore, neglected. (4) No half life of ozone is assumed (5) No temperature inversion layer is assumed The maximum 24 hour average of oxides of nitrogen above ambient at the edge of the right-of-way is estimated to be less than 0.002 ppm above ambient assuming conditions similar to those used in the study of ozone. The 24 hour average is used to compare with the annual arithmetic mean —the basis of the Environmental Protection Agency Regulations. With the very low anticipated levels from the 230 kV circuit, no impact on health or the environment due to ozone or oxides of nitrogen is foreseen. 2. Audible Noise Like all 230 kV overhead transmission lines, the proposed transmission line conductors will be sources of low levels of audible noise. The following investigation of audible noise emission considers the possible impact on the comfort of the public near the transmission line right-of-way. Transmission line audible noise sound pressure levels are expressed in decibels [dB(A)] using a standard reference pressure of 20 micro newtons per square meter. The "A" weighted response is similar to that of the human ear and is widely used as a single number rating for many types of audible noise. 2 The highest audible noise emission from the proposed line will occur during heavy rain conditions. Under these conditions, the general ambient noise will increase due to the falling rain. Also, there is expected to be a reduction in public activity near the line. Lesser audible noise emission from the proposed line will occur during light rain, fog and snow conditions. Under these conditions, there is not expected to be an increase in the general ambient noise nor should there be a reduction in public activity near the line. The corona generated audible noise from the dry energized transmission line conductors is not expected to appreciably increase the ambient audible noise level. In view of this, the audible noise emission during fog, light rain or snow is considered to be the worst condition. In this report, this is called the wet conductor condition. AN Analysis of the Proposed 230 kV and 115 kV Facilities The anticipated levels of audible noise from the Platte River Power Authority 230 kV circuit when energized at 115 kV is expected to be very low. These levels of noise emission from the circuit are not expected to be causes of public annoyance. However, when the line is energized at 230 kV, the audible noise from the line is expected to be higher for the same weather conditions. Occurrence of Transmission Line Audible Noise Levels at the Edge of the Right-of-Way Level in dB(A) Per Cent Cumulative Per 230 kV/115 kV 230 kV Occurrence Cent Occurrence Double Circuit Single Circuit 26.0 22.0 86.78 86.78 42.0 38.0 7.52 94.30 45.5 41.5 4.41 98.71 48.7 44.7 1.25 99.96 52.0 48.0 0.04 100.00 To evaluate the impact of audible noise, it is essential to know how much audible noise can be tolerated from a transmission line. Bonneville Power Administration developed a general guideline (Reference 11) based upon public response to transmission line audible noise. Numerous complaints can be received if line noise exceeds 58.5 dB(A) and no or few complaints will result if audible noise is limited to 52.5 dB(A). No audible noise regulations specifically for overhead transmission lines have been legislated by the state of Colorado. The Colorado Senate Bill No. 197 (Reference 12) specifies audible noise regulations which limit the audible noise level to 50 dB(A) for Residential land uses between the hours of 7:00 pm to the next 7:00 am. In view of the above, few, if any, public complaints should result from the transmission line audible noise. I 3 3. Electromagnetic Influence Corona from the transmission lines will also produce electromagnetic influences especially during heavy rain, heavy fog and other periods of inclement weather. The investigation of electromagnetic influence considers the possible effects on the quality of reception of radio stations and television stations near transmission line right-of-way. Corona may produce two types of electromagnetic influences, namely (1) radio influence which may affect the quality of reception of standard broadcast stations (AM radio stations having a frequency between 540 kHz to 1600 kHz) and (2) television influence which may affect the quality of reception of television broadcast stations. Gap type discharges also produce radio influence. However, these are localized — from conductor to line hardware, hardware to hardware etc. — and may be easily and quickly detected and corrected. Influence on FM broadcast station reception is generally not a problem. The reasons for this are two-fold: (i) corona generated radio frequency currents decrease in magnitude with increasing frequency and are quite small in the FM broadcast band (88-108 MHz), and (ii) the excellent interference rejection properties inherent in FM radio systems make them virtually immune to amplitude type disturbances. RI Analysis of the Proposed Transmission Line The maximum radio influence from the proposed line has been calculated for the foul weather conditions (References 13 and 14) and for the mean fair weather conditions (Reference 15). Transmission Line RI Values at Edge of Right-of-Way Foul Weather Mean Fair Weather Double Circuit 69 dB 45 dB 230/115 kV Double Circuit 24 dB — 115/115 kV Single Circuit 64 dB 40 dB 230 kV Single Circuit 16 dB — 115 kV NOTE: The background noise levels recorded in a June 3, 1975 field survey are approximately 20 dB (Appendix 1). Therefore, the values for 115 kV/115 kV double circuit and for 115 kV single circuit will be very near the ambient levels in the survey but not below the levels in the above table. The Platte River Power Authority line is expected to be energized at 115 kV for approximatley 5 years. During this period no radio noise problem is expected. When the Platte River Power Authority line is energized at 230 kV, there is expected to be a very good quality of radio reception (Grade B — background evident but unobtrusive) or better for over 93% of the time at the following locations: 4 Number of Radio Stations Grade B Reception or Better Site Number 93% of the time 10 12 20 13 30 17 NOTE: See Appendix 1 for stations to be received and locations of the field survey sites. Seven percent of the time the quality of reception will be reduced for all radio stations along the right-of-way. It is estimated that 6% of the time (93-99% cumulative) the following number of stations are expected to have Grade C quality of reception (background plainly evident, reception fairly satisfactory, speech easily understood) Number of Radio Stations Grade C Reception or Better Site Number 93-99%of the time 10 6 20 4 30 9 Television Influence Television interference (TVI) is a visual disturbance in the television broadcast band especially found in Channels 2-6. It may be seen as bands of speckled interference rolling upwards from the bottom of the screen. The TVI produced by corona is summarized by the IEEE Subcommittee on Radio Noise as follows: "No confirmed data exists which would in fair weather point to the conductor as a source of interference in the television frequencies" (Reference 17). However, corona from the proposed 230 kV lines during heavy rain and heavy wet snow at times of peak voltages (positive cycle), may produce some measurable television influence known as "precipitation type television influence" where there is moisture on the conductors. A method to calculate precipitation type television influence has not been developed. However, an effort has been made to correlate precipitation type television influence with Foul Weather radio influence. For some 500 kV lines precipitation type television influence has been found to be less than 2 percent of Foul Weather radio influence (-34 dB above 1 microvolt per meter) at a point 200 feet from the outermost conductor (Reference 18). Evaluation of Television Influence Television interference from 230 kV transmission lines is typically not a problem especially when the lines are designed for good radio reception. Based on the technical literatures of the IEEE and 5 CIGRE, and on experience, it is anticipated that no corona produced television interference problems are foreseen for those areas where good TV reception is presently obtained. In the unanticipated event of significant public objection to radio and/or television influence of the proposed circuit, the Platte River Power Authority is recommended to assist these residents to restore the quality of radio/television reception. 4. Induction Regardless of voltage class, all overhead energized, load carrying transmission lines have an associated electric field and magnetic field. These two fields and their effects are virtually independent of each other and may be analyzed separately. To analyze these fields it is necessary to consider two coupling modes: (1) Electrostatic Induction — voltages induced by energized conductors by capacitive coupling (2) Electromagnetic Induction —voltages induced by current carrying conductors These coupling modes may be capable of causing harm in the following ways: (1) Electric shocks that in themselves may cause physical harm i (2) Unexpected, electrically harmless shocks which may cause involuntary responses which may result in unsafe acts. For this reason, electrically harmless shocks may be considered the major concern for public safety. The actual current that may flow through the body of a person involved in one or more of the coupling modes indicated above depends on the interrelation of various factors. Electrostatic Induction Effects Electrostatic effects may be present when objects possessing conductive characteristics (including people) are insulated from ground and near the energized circuit. The effects would be caused by electric (electrostatic) fields which surround the energized conductors. The intensity of the electric fields at ground level is expressed in units of kilovolts (rms) per meter (kV/m). It has been determined (Reference 19) that an average person will feel a slight tingling sensation when exposed to an electric field having an intensity of 15 kilovolts (rms)per meter or greater. The earth has a natural steady state electric field at sea level of about 0.13 kV/m (Reference 20), with the earth being negatively charged and the electrically conducting atmosphere (above 25 miles) being positively charged. The strength of this field decreases gradually with increasing ground elevation. Variations and even reversals in field strength and direction have been reported (Reference 21). The natural electric field strength at ground level has been reported to approach 3 kV/m beneath thunder clouds (Reference 28). Dalziel (Reference 22) has studied the effects of current on people and determined that the let-go current for most women is 6 milliamperes (mA), and the let-go current for most men is 9.0 mA. 6 Let-go current is the maximum current a person can tolerate and can still release an energized conductor by using muscles directly stimulated by that current. The proposed 7th edition of the National Electric Safety Code (Reference 23) recommends that the maximum electrostatic short circuit current be limited to 5 milliamperes rms if the largest anticipated vehicle under the line were short circuited to ground. A large vehicle having the dimensions of 12 feet wide, 85 feet long and 14 feet high located in an electrostatic field of 3.4 kV/m or less will sustain a short circuit current no greater than 5 mA (Reference 24). Thus, in general, for most highway applications a peak electrostatic field of less than 3.25 kV/m would be acceptable. For comparison, the energy released in a "carpet" type spark discharge is estimated. A 1/4 inch spark represents a voltage of 7,000 volts or more. Assuming a body capacity to ground of 180 pf, I (24) the calculated energy is 4.4 rnJ. The carpet discharge energy is_approximately4 tmes_greater ' than the_ energy discharge calculated fora large truck immediately_adjacent to a line operating at 230 kV. The current from a large insulated vehicle will not be a hazard to persons touching the vehicle. In a 1972 paper (Reference 25) it was reported that gasoline vapors may be ignited by spark discharges having energies greater than 0.25 millijoules. More recent laboratory investigations (Reference 26) report that the energy necessary to ignite gasoline vapors varies from about 4.4 millijoules for automobiles to as much as 13.0 millijoules for very large trucks and farm equipment. There is an excellent operating experience gained from the many thousands of miles of EHV lines in this country with many miles crossing fertile farm lands, and a great number of highway and road crossings. Considering the millions of vehicles which have travelled these crossings, then the theoretical possibility of gasoline ignition is extremely remote. Analysis of the Electrostatic Ground Gradients of the Proposed 230 kV Circuits The maximum value of the ground level electrostatic gradient of the proposed 230 kV transmission line has been estimated using an analytical method. The maximum value is approximately 2.5 kV (RMS)/m for a line voltage of 230 kV. At the edge of right-of-way the value is approximately 0.75 kV (RMS)/m. (See Table 1). The maximum value was calculated for the point of minimum line-to-ground clearance. The strength of the electric field decreases with an increase in line height as one leaves the point of maximum sag. Therefore, the maximum ground level electric field strength will exist near the center of the span. Based on these values and the literatures of the IEEE, CIGRE, and on experience, it is our opinion that under the transmission lines the electrostatic field should pose no threat to the safety of man. Electromagnetic Induction Effects As mentioned above, the proposed 230 kV current carrying conductors will also have an associated magnetic field. The strength of a magnetic field is commonly expressed in units of Webers per square meter or Gauss. This report will deal in units of Gauss, one Gauss being equal to 0.0001 Weber per square meter. 7 Studies have been made and are in progress to evaluate the effects of low frequency magnetic fields on human beings. Two recent studies (References 27 and 31) were made by John Hopkins and the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute. The study by John Hopkins concluded that no ill effects could be determined due to exposure to high voltage transmission lines. The second study subjected 10 men to fields of 1 Gauss at 45 Hz for periods of up to 24 hours during a seven day period. This study concluded that there were no effects which could be attributed to the magnetic field. Electronic pacemakers have been found to show minor temporary rate changes that were clinically insignificant when the patients were exposed to fields of 1.35 Gauss (Peak) (0.95 Gauss RMS) (References 29 and 30). All the pacers remained within clinically safe limits and none of the 53 patients could feel any physical change. For comparison purposes, a_cornmon heatingpadgenexates a field of 2 Gauss (Reference 31). A weapons detector used at_many_ airports for airline passenger security_has an equivalent magnetic field of 1.53 Gauss (Reference 29)._ Electromagnetic hazards to the public have been reduced in specifying the minimum conductor height of 28 feet. Further reductions will result from the grounding procedures used by Platte River Power Authority. Analysis of the Electromagnetic Field of the Proposed 230 kV Transmission Line The values of the strength of the electromagnetic field under the proposed line has been estimated using an analytical method for a phase current of 954 amps for the single circuit and double circuit designs. The maximum values at ground level are 0.12 Gauss (RMS) for the single circuit and 0.096 Gauss (RMS) for the double circuit. The double circuit is lower due to phase cancellation. The values at the edge of right-of-way are very low being .045 Gauss for the single circuit and lower for the double circuit. 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Farming SHIELDING OR REFLECTING TERRAIN OR STRUCTURES: Metallic roof on 50 ' high x 60 ' long barn, also 100 ' long x 30 ' high shed, both approximately 150 yards Northeast of site SOURCES OF RADIO NOISE:. Distribution line running parallel to Weld County Road #3 , about 30 ' to 35 ' from the site SOURCES OF AUDIO NOISE*, None applicable COMMENTS: OBSERVERS: J . Bagley H. Thakkar SITE LOCATION - WEATHER DATA DATE 6/3/75 TIME: START 13 : 45 SITE: 20 FINISH 14 : 55 BAROMETRIC PRESSURE: 26 . 5" TEMPERATURE: WET 62°F DRY 85°F WIND: SPEED 3-8 mph RELATIVE HUMIDITY: 24 - 5% DIRECTION S WEATHER DESCRIPTION: Sunny with scattered clouds SITE DESCRIPTION: West side of Weld County Road #3 , approximately 0 . 3 mile South of Route 56 and Weld County Road #3 junction, 0 . 4 mile North of Rockwell Ditch CLOSEST RESIDENCE: 0. 25 mile, abandoned single story house 300 feet North Northeast LAND USAGE: Farming SHIELDING OR REFLECTING TERRAIN OR STRUCTURES: Galvanized metallic structure about 90 ' x 40 ' x 45 ' , 1200 ' - 1500 ' from site SOURCES OF RADIO NOISE:. Distribution line East side and running parallel to Weld County Road #3 SOURCES OF AUDIO NOISE:. None applicable COMMENTS: OBSERVERS: J. Bagley H. Thakkar SITE LOCATION - WEATHER DATA DATE 6/3/75 TIME: START 10 : 00 SITE: 30 FINISH 11 : 50 BAROMETRIC PRESSURE: 25 . 45" TEMPERATURE: WET DRY 72OF WIND. SPEED 1-2 mph RELATIVE HUMIDITY: DIRECTION SE WEATHER DESCRIPTION: Sunny with sparse clouds SITE DESCRIPTION: Approximately 21/2 miles North Northeast of Longmont Substation, about0. 7 mile West of Mead Reservoir, 5 miles South Southeast of Route 56 in Section 18 , Weld County CLOSEST RESIDENCE:0 . 75 mile Southeast LAND USAGE: Farmland SHIELDING OR REFLECTING TERRAIN OR STRUCTURES: None SOURCES OF RADIO NOISE:. None applicable SOURCES OF AUDIO NOISEL None applicable COMMENTS: Radio tower with microwave communication facility approximately 1 mile Northwest OBSERVERS: J . Bagley H. Thakkar RF SIGNAL STRENGTH AND AMBIENT NOISE SURVEY Date: 6/3/75 Site: 10 Observers : J. Bagley H. Thakkar Freq. Call Meter Atten. Ant. Signal kHz Letters Location Reading Setting Corr. Strength dB dB dB dB:lpV/m ** 510 Ambient Noise (QP) 16 0 41. 0 57 870 Ambient Noise (QP) 17 0 37 . 0 54 1020 Ambient Noise (QP) 16 0 37 .5 53.5 1630 Ambient Noise (QP) 30 -20 34 . 0 44 1700 Ambient Noise (QP) 31 -20 34.25 45. 25 550 KRAI Craig, CO (17 . 5) -20 41. 0 (38 . 5) 560 KLZ* Denver, CO 15. 25 +20 41. 0 76 . 25 590 KCSJ Pueblo, CO 16. 5 -20 41. 0 37 .5 600 KIIX* Fort Collins, CO 24 .75 0 36 . 0 60.75 630 KHOW Denver, CO 17.25 +20 36 . 0 73.25 690 KAPI Pueblo, CO (21. 25) -20 36 (37 . 25) 710 KERE Denver, CO 17 .75 0 36 . 5 54 .25 730 KLOE Goodland, KS 7 .25 0 36 .5 43.75 740 KSSS Colorado Spgs. , CO 25. 25 -20 36 .5 41.75 790 KXXX Colby, KS 21. 25 -20 37 . 0 38 . 25 800 KBRN Brighton, CO 10.75 +20 37 . 0 67 .75 850 KOA Denver, CO 22 . 0 +20 37 . 0 79 . 0 880 KRVN Lexington,NB 13. 5 -20 37 . 0 30 . 5 910 KPOF Denver, CO 16 . 25 +20 37 . 0 73 . 25 930 KIUP Durnago, CO 15. 25 -20 37 . 0 32.25 950 KIMN Denver, CO 22 . 0 +20 37 . 5 79. 5 970 KFEL Pueblo, CO (15. 75) -20 37 . 5 (32 .75) 990 KRKS Denver, CO 27 . 25 0 37 .5 64 .75 1060 KLMO Longmont, CO 24 . 5 +20 37 . 5 82 . 0 1090 KAAT Denver, CO 17 . 5 +20 38 . 0 75. 5 1140 KNAB Burlington, CO (16 . 25) -20 38 . 0 (34 .25) 1150 KEMC Englewood, CO 16 . 0 0 38 . 0 54 . 0 1170 KUAD Windsor, CO 30.75 +20 33 . 0 83 .75 1190 KADE Aurora, CO 13 .75 +20 33 . 0 66 .75 1220 KFSL Denver, CO 11. 0 0 33 . 5 44 . 0 1230 KGEK* Sterling, CO 22 .75 -20 33 . 0 35.75 1240 KFBC Cheyenne, WY 21. 25 0 33 . 0 54 . 25 1260 KSNO Aspen, CO 9. 5 0 33 .5 43 . 0 1280 KTLK Denver, CO 30. 25 0 33 . 5 63 .75 1310 KFKA Greeley, CO 28 . 25 +20 33 . 5 81.75 1340 KDEN Denver, CO 9 .25 +20 33 . 5 62.75 1350 KKAM Pueblo, CO (17 . 5) -20 33 . 5 (31 . 0) 1370 KVWO* Cheyenne, WY 14 . 25 0 33 . 5 47 .75 1390 KFML Denver, CO 26 .75 0 33 . 5 60. 25 1400 KFTM Fort Morgan, CO (13 .75) 0 33 . 5 (47 .25) 1410 KCOL Fort Collins, CO 18 . 0 +20 33 . 5 71. 5 RF SIGNAL STRENGTH AND AMBIENT NOISE SURVEY Date: 6/3/75 Site: 10 Observers : J. Bagley H. Thakkar Freq. Call Meter Atten. Ant. Signal kHz Letters Location Reading Setting Corr. Strength dB dB dB dB:l0V/m 1430 KOSI Aurora, CO 25.75 0 34 . 0 59 .75 1450 KYOU Greeley, CO 34 .75 0 34 . 0 68 .75 1460 KYSN* Colorado Spgs . , CO (15. 5) -20 34 . 0 (29 .5) 1470 KKEP Estes Park, CO 16 .5 0 34 .0 50. 5 1480 KPUB Pueblo, CO 22 . 5 0 34 . 0 56 . 5 1490 KBOL* Boulder, CO 20. 75 +20 34 . 0 74 .75 1510 KDKO Littleton, CO 17. 25 0 34 . 0 51. 25 1530 KCGO Cheyenne, WY 15.75 +20 34 . 0 69 .75 1550 KQXI Arvada, CO 6 .75 +20 34 . 0 60.75 1570 KLOV Loveland, CO 36 . 25 +20 34 . 0 90. 25 1580 KPIK Colorado Spgs. , CO (17. 5) 0 34 . 0 (51. 5) 1600 KLAK Lakewood, CO 20. 25 0 34 . 0 54 . 25 * Station call verified () Co channel or adjacent channel interference ** Maximum Reading. Typical ambient noise (QP) is approximately 20 dBp RF SIGNAL STRENGTH AND AMBIENT NOISE SURVEY Date: 6/3/75 Site: 20 Observers : H. Thakkar J. Bagley Freq. Call Meter Atten. Ant. Signal kHz Letters Location Reading Setting Corr. Strength dB dB dB dB:1u V/m ** 510 Ambient Noise (QP) 13 0 41.0 54 870 Ambient Noise (QP) 26 -20 37 . 0 43 1020 Ambient Noise (QP) 27 -20 37 .5 44 . 5 1630 Ambient Noise (QP) 23 -20 34 . 0 37 1700 Ambient Noise (QP) 26 -20 34 .25 40 .25 550 KRAI Craig, CO (17 .5) -20 41. 0 (38 .5) 560 KLZ* Denver, CO 15.75 +20 41. 0 76 .75 590 KCSJ* Pueblo, CO (20.25) -20 41. 0 (41.25) 600 KIIX* Fort Collins, CO 22.25 0 36 . 0 58 .25 630 KHOW* Denver, CO 18 .75 +20 36 . 0 74 .75 710 KERE* Denver, CO 21.25 0 36 .5 57 .75 730 KLOE Goodland, KS 27 .25 -20 36 .5 43 .75 740 KSSS Colorado Spgs. , CO 29 .75 -20 36 .5 46 . 25 790 KXXX Colby, KS (24 . 5) -20 37 . 0 (41.5) 800 KBRN* Brighton, CO 26 .75 0 37 . 0 63 .75 850 KOA Denver, CO 18 . 25 +20 37 . 0 75.25 880 KRVN Lexington, NB 11. 25 -20 37 . 0 28 . 25 910 KPOF Denver, CO 19 .0 +20 37 . 0 76 950 KIMN Denver, CO 16 .25 +20 37 . 5 73 .75 970 KFEL Pueblo, CO (11.25) -20 37 .5 (28 .75) 990 KRKS Denver, CO 16 .25 -20 37 .5 33 .75 1060 KLMO Longmont, CO 33 .75 +20 37 .5 91.25 1090 KAAT Denver, CO 31.5 0 38 . 0 69 . 5 1150 KGMC Englewood, CO 21.5 0 38 . 0 59. 5 1170 KUAD Windsor, CO 23 . 0 +20 33 . 0 76 . 0 1190 KADE Aurora, CO 14 . 0 +20 33 .0 67 .0 1220 KFSL Denver, CO 14 .75 0 33 .0 47 .75 1230 KGEK Sterling, CO 27 . 5 -20 33 . 0 40 .5 1240 KFBC Cheyenne, WY 15.25 0 33 . 0 48 . 5 1260 KSNO Aspen, CO (26 . 25) -20 33 .5 (39 .75) 1280 KTLK* Denver, CO 27 . 25 0 33 . 5 60.75 1300 KVOR Colorado Spg. , CO (14 .5) -20 33 .5 (28 . 0) 1310 KFKA* Greeley, CO 32. 0 +20 33 . 5 - 85 .5 1340 KDEN* Denver, CO 25.75 0 33 . 5 59 .25 1370 KVWO Cheyenne, WY 11.75 0 33 . 5 45 .25 1390 KFML Denver, CO 16. 75 0 33 . 5 50 .25 1400 KFTM Ft. Morgan, CO 24 . 0 -20 33 . 5 37 . 5 1410 KCOL Fort Collins , CO 24. 5 0 33 .5 58 . 0 1430 KOSI Aurora, CO 18 .25 0 34 . 0 52 . 25 1450 KYOU Greeley, CO 15.75 +20 34 . 0 69.75 1470 KKEP Estes Park, CO 14 . 75 0 34 . 0 48 .75 RF SIGNAL STRENGTH AND AMBIENT NOISE SURVEY Date: 6/3/75 Site: 20 Observers : H. Thakkar J. Bagley Freq. Call Meter Atten. Ant. Signal kHz Letters Location Reading Setting Corr. Strength dB dB dB dB:lpV/m 1480 KPUB Pueblo, CO (19 . 25) -20 34 . 0 (33 . 25) 1490 KBOL Boulder, CO 15. 5 +20 34 . 0 69. 5 1510 KDKO* Littleton, CO 14 .75 0 34 48 .75 1530 KCGO Cheyenne, WY 19. 25 0 34 53 .25 1550 KQXI Arvada, CO 17 . 0 0 34 51. 0 1570 KLOV* Loveland, CO 31.25 +20 34 . 0 85. 25 1600 KLAK Lakewood, CO 22 .25 0 34 . 0 56 . 25 * Station call verified () Co channel or adjacent channel interference ** Maximum Reading. Typical ambient noise (QP) is approximately 21 dBu . RF SIGNAL STRENGTH AND AMBIENT NOISE SURVEY Date: 6/3/75 Site: 30 Observers : H. Thakkar J. Bagley Freq. Meter Atten. Ant. Signal kHz Letters Location Reading Setting Corr. Strength dB dB dB dB:lpV/m 530 Ambient Noise (QP) <0 0 41 .0 - 830 Ambient Noise (QP) _ 2 -20 37 . 0 18 1010 Ambient Noise (QP) 3 -20 37 .5 20. 5 1650 Ambient Noise (QP) 3. 5 -20 34 . 0 17.5 550 KRAI Craig, CO (20. 0) -20 41 . 0 (41. 0) 560 KLZ Denver, CO 21.75 +20 41. 0 82 .75 580 KUBC Montrose, CO (5. 5) -20 41 . 0 (26 . 5) 590 KCSJ* Pueblo, CO (24 . 25) -20 41. 0 45 . 25 600 KIIX* Fort Collins, CO 23. 0 0 36 . 0 59. 0 630 KHOW* Denver, CO 24 . 0 +20 36 . 0 80. 0 690 KAPI Pueblo, CO (21.5) -20 36 . 0 (37 . 5) 710 KERE Denver, CO 18 . 5 0 36 . 5 55 . 0 730 KLOE Goodland, KS 25.75 -20 36 . 5 42 .25 740 KSSS* Colorado Spgs. , CO 30. 5 -20 36 .5 47 . 0 790 KXXX Colby, KS (23 .75) -20 37 . 0 (40.75) 800 KBRN Brighton, CO 35 .25 0 37 . 0 72 . 25 850 KOA Denver, CO 24 .75 +20 37 . 0 81.75 880L KRVN Lexington, NB 13 .75 -20 37 . 0 30.75 910 KPOF Denver, CO 20.5 +20 37 . 0 77 . 5 920 KVEL Vernal, UT 21. 0 -20 37 . 0 38 . 0 950 KIMN* Denver, CO 26 . 25 +20 37 . 5 83 .75 970 KFEL Pueblo, CO (15 . 0) -20 37 . 5 (32. 5) 990 KRKS Denver, CO 28 . 0 0 37 .5 65. 5 1060 KLMO* Longmont, CO 35. 75 +20 37 . 5 93 .25 1090 KAAT Denver, CO 20.5 +20 38 . 0 78 . 5 1150 KGMC Englewood, CO 28 . 5 0 38 . 0 66 .5 1190 KADE Aurora, CO 34 . 25 0 33 . 0 67 .25 1220 KFSL Denver, CO 28 . 5 0 33 . 0 61. 5 1230 KGEK Sterling, CO (27. 25) -20 33 . 0 (40.25) 1240 KFBC Cheyenne, WY 18 . 5 0 33 . 0 51. 5 1260 KSNO Aspen, CO (26 .25) -20 33 . 5 (39 .75) 1280 KTLK Denver, CO 34 . 0 0 33 . 5 67 . 5 1310 KFKA Greeley, CO 28 . 5 +20 33 .5 82 . 0 1340 KDEN* Denver, CO 28 . 5 0 33 . 5 62. 0 1350 KKAM Pueblo, CO (15 . 5) -20 33 . 5 (29 . 0) 1370 KVWO Cheyenne, WY 34 . 0 -20 33 . 5 47 . 5 1390 KFML Denver, CO 29.75 0 33 . 5 63 . 25 1400 KFTM* Fort Morgan, CO 29. 5 -20 33 . 5 43 . 0 1410 KCOL* Fort Collins, CO 30.25 0 33 . 5 63 . 75 RF SIGNAL STRENGTH AND AMBIENT NOISE SURVEY Date: 6/3/75 Site: 30 Observers : H. Thakkar J. Bagley Freq. Call Meter Atten. Ant. Signal kHz Letters Location Reading Setting Corr. Strength dB dB dB dB:lTV/m 1430 KOSI* Aurora, CO 27.75 0 34 . 0 61.75 1450 KYOU Greeley, CO 36 .5 0 34 . 0 70. 5 1470 KKEP Estes Park, CO 27 .75 -20 34 . 0 41.75 1490 KBOL Boulder, CO 33 . 0 0 34 . 0 67 . 0 1510 KDKO* Littleton, CO 18 . 5 0 34 . 0 52 . 5 1530 KCGO Cheyenne, WY 25 .25 0 34 . 0 59 .25 1550 KQXI Arvada, CO 27 .75 0 34 . 0 61.75 1570 KLOV Loveland, CO 24 .75 +20 34 . 0 78 .75 1600 KLAK Lakewood, CO 27 .25 0 34 . 0 61 .25 * Station call verified () Co channel or adjacent channel interference FAIR WEATHER Site : 10 D/C 230 kV - 115 kV AC Radio stations obtainable with good quality raception at the distances from and at the edge of the right-of-way 93% of the time. Station Location, Call Lateral Distance to Edge of Right of Way and Frequency kHz , 0' 50 ' _ 100 ' 150 ' Denver, CO KLZ 560 x x x x Denver, CO KHOW 630 x x x x Denver, CO KOA 850 x x x x Denver, CO KPOF 910 x x x x Denver, CO KIMN 950 x x x x Longmont, CO KLMO 1060 x x x x Denver, CO KAAT 1090 x x x x Windsor, CO KUAD 1170 x x x x Greeley, CO KFKA 1310 x x x x Ft. Collins, CO KCOL 1410 x x x x Boulder, CO KBOL 1490 x x x x Loveland, CO KLOV 1570 x x x x Brighton, CO KBRN 800 - x x x Denver, CO KRKS 990 - x x x Aurora, CO KADE 1190 - x x x Denver, CO KTLK 1280 - x x x Greeley, CO KYOU 1450 - x x x Cheyenne, CO KCGO 1530 - x x x Ft.Collins,CO KIIX 600 - - x x Denver, CO KDEN 1340 - - x x Denver, CO KFML 1390 - - x x Aurora, CO KOSI 1430 - - x x Arvada, CO KQXI 1550 - - x x Denver, CO KERE 710 - - - x Englewood, CO KGNC 1150 - - - x Cheyenne, WY KFBC 1240 - - - x Pueblo, CO KPUB 1480 - - - x Col.Sprgs . ,CO KPIK 1580 - - - x Lakewood, CO KLAK 1600 - - - x NOTE: x is Grade B reception FAIR WEATHER Site : 20 230 kV AC S/C Loveland - Longmont Line Radio stations obtainable with good quality reception at the distances from and at the edge of the right-of-way 93% of the time. Station Location, Call Lateral Distance to Edge of Right of Way and Frequency kHz 0 _ 50 ' 100 ' 150 ' Denver, CO KLZ 560 x x x x Denver, CO KHOW 630 x x x x Denver, CO KOA 850 x x x x Denver, CO KPOF 910 x x x x Denver, CO KIMN 950 x x x x Longmont, CO KLMO 1060 x x x x Denver, CO KAAT 1090 x x x x Windsor, CO KUAD 1170 x x x x Aurora, CO KADE 1190 x x x x Greeley, CO KFKA 1310 x x x x Greely, CO KYOU 1450 x x x x Boulder, CO KBOL 1490 x x x x Loveland, CO KLOV 1570 x x x x Ft.Collins,CO KIIX 600 - x x x Denver, CO KERE 710 - x x x Brighton, CO KBRN 800 - x x x Englewood, CO KGNC 1150 - x x x Denver, CO KTLK 1280 - x x x Denver, CO KDEN 1340 - x x x Ft.Collins ,CO KCOL 1410 - x x x Lakewood, CO KLAK 1600 - x x x Aurora, CO KOSI 1430 - - x x Cheyenne, WY KCGO 1530 - - x x Cheyenne, WY KFBC 1240 - - - x Denver, CO KFML 1390 - - - x Estes Pk. ,CO KKEP 1470 - - - x Littleton, CO KDKO 1510 - - - x Arvada, CO KQXI 1550 - - - x NOTE: x is Grade B reception FAIR WEATHER Site : 30 230 kV AC S/C Loveland - Longmont Radio stations obtainable with good quality reception at the distances from and at the edge of the right-of-way 93% of the time. Station Location, Call Lateran Distance to Edge of Right of Way and Frequency kHz 0 ' 50 ' 100 ' 150 ' Denver, CO KLZ 560 x x x x Denver, CO KHOW 630 x x x x Brighton, CO KBRN 800 x x x x Denver, CO KOA 850 x x x x Denver, CO KPOF 910 x x x x Denver, CO KIMN 950 x x x x Denver, CO KRKS 990 x x x x Longmont, CO KLMO 1060 x x x x Denver, CO KAAT 1090 x x x x Englewood, CO KGMC 1150 x x x x Aurora, CO, KADE 1190 x x x x Denver, CO KTLK 1280 x x x x Greeley, CO KFKA 1310 x x x x Ft.Collins,CO KCOL 1410 x x x x Greeley, Co KYOU 1450 x x x x Boulder, CO KBOL 1490 x x x x Loveland, CO KLOV 1570 x x x x Ft.Collins,CO KIIX 600 - x x x Denver, CO KFSL 1220 - x x x Denver, CO KDEN 1340 - x x x Denver, Co KFML 1390 - x x x Aurora, CO KOSI 1430 - x x x Cheyenne, WY KCGO 1530 - x x x Arvada, CO KQXI 1550 - x x x Lakewood, CO KLAK 1600 - x x x Denver, CO KERE 710 - - x x Littleton, CO KDKO 1510 - - x x Cheyenne, WY KFBC 1240 - - - x NOTE: x is Grade B reception FOUL WEATHER Site: 10 D/C 230 kV/115 kV AC Circuits Radio stations obtainable with good quality reception or better at the distances from and at the edge of the right-of-way 100% of the time. Good Quality Reception - Grade 'B' SNR = 27 dB Station Location, Call _ Lateral Distance to Edge of Right of Way and Frequency kHz 0 ' 50 ' 100 ' 150 ' Loveland, CO KLOV 1570 - x x x Longmont, CO KLMO 1060 - - x x Windsor, CO KUAD 1170 - - x x Greeley, CO KFKA 1310 - - x x Denver, CO KOA 850 - - - x Denver, CO KIMN 950 - - - x NOTE: x is Grade B reception FOUL WEATHER Site: 20 230 kV AC S/C Radio stations obtainable with good quality .Leception or better at the distances from and at the edge of the right-of-way 100% of the time. Good Quality Reception - Grade 'B' SNR = 27 dB Station Location, Call Lateral Distance to Edge of Right of Way and Frequency kHz 0 ' _ 50 ' 100 ' 150 ' Longmont, CO KLMO 1060 x x x x Greeley, CO KFKA 1310 - x x x Loveland, CO KLOV 1570 - x x x Denver, CO KLZ 560 - - x x Denver, CO KPOF 910 - - x x Windsor, CO KUAD 1170 - - x x Denver, CO KHOW 630 - - - x Denver, CO KOA 850 - - - x Denver, CO KIMN 950 - - - x Denver, CO KAAT 1090 - - - x NOTE: x is Grade B reception FOUL WEATHER Site: 30 230 kV AC S/C Radio stations obtainable with good quality reception or better at the distances from and at the edge of the right-of-way 1000 of the time. Good Quality Reception - Grade 'B' SNR = 27 dB Station Location, Call Lateral Distance to Edge of Right of Way and Frequency kHz 0 ' 50 ' 100 ' 150 ' Longmont, CO KLMO 1060 x x x x Denver, CO KLZ 560 - x x x Denver, CO KHOW 630 - x x x Denver, CO KOA 850 - x x x Denver, CO KIMN 950 - x x x Greeley, CO KFKA 1310 - x x x Denver, CO KPOF 910 - - x x Denver, CO KAAT 1090 - - x x Loveland, CO KLOV 1570 - - x x Brighton, CO KBRN 800 - - - x Greeley, CO KYOU 1450 - - - x NOTE: x is Grade B reception a I.1 postal box 1577,fort collins,colorado 80522 (303) 493-6397 Fart Collins a ara:oan y\Th Th-NA • We have received your check no. in the TL) amount of $ . From the information on the check, we were unable to process the check proper- ly and have deposited it in a suspense account . ® Please =ill out the given lines below and £ return this :orm to us as soon as possible. ro Please print or type exactly as listed on your bill . NAME (Exactly as billed) -a ADDRESS -o CITY STATE ZIP .15 ° Please chwk tAle or more of the following boxes. TYPE OF blLLING Legal billing , Classified line ad billing Display ad billing Subscription billing Sincerely, Stew, FOringer BEFORE THE PLATTE RIVER POWER AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS, DECEMBER 14, 1978 MEMORANDUM OF DECISION Our purpose is twofold: (1) to decide whether the Rawhide Energy Project Environmental Impact Analysis, as hereafter revised and supplemented, requires further revision or supple- mentation to constitute a reasonably complete and comprehensive analysis of environmental values and problems relating to the Rawhide Energy Project so as to afford this Board the necessary background and insight with which to make its ultimate decision with regard to that Project; and (2) to decide, if the Environ- mental Impact Analysis as revised and supplemented is found to be sufficiently complete and comprehensive, whether to formally adopt the Rawhide Energy Project for construction and operation. On November 16, 1978, after preliminary review by this Board, the draft "Rawhide Energy Project Environmental Impact Analysis" was released for public review and comment. Following published notice, two public hearings were held: One on November 29 in Loveland and a second on November 30 in Wellington, both Colorado municipalities in Larimer County. At the request of the Northern Colorado Resources Council, the period for public comment was extended to December 7, and all written comments received by that time have been considered by this Board in reaching its decision and are part of the record of these pro- ceedings. This Board hereby finds that, as revised and supplemented as set forth herein, the Environmental Impact Analysis is a compre- hensive and well-documented study providing sufficient analysis of environmental considerations and impacts to enable this Board to reach a decision on the Rawhide Energy Project. Further, for the reasons set forth below, this Board formally adopts the Rawhide Energy Project for construction and operation as the next source of base load electric energy for Platte River' s municipal custom- ers, Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland. Our deci- sions are based upon our review and evaluation of the Environmental Impact Analysis and the supporting documents listed in the Bibli- ography thereto, as well as upon the public comments submitted to us both at the public hearings and in writing. Our reasoning is as follows: (1) Revision and Supplementation of the Draft Environmental Impact Analysis The draft Environmental Impact Analysis as prepared by Platte River' s staff and consultants and submitted to the Board and the public for review is comprehensive and thoroughly docu- mented. Some changes and additions to the November 16 draft of the Environmental Impact Analysis are desirable in order that this document adequately address all environmental issues pertinent to our decision. Many of these changes and additions have been suggested by Platte River' s staff, consultants , and Directors as a result of their continuing review and critique of that document. Other -2- suggestions have come from members of the public at the public hearings and in writing. We are grateful to them for taking the time and interest to contribute to our decision. The major changes and additions which we have instructed the General Manager to cause to be made to the Environmental Impact Analysis before it is published in final form are as follows: (i) Amend Figures 2-10 , 9-2, and 9-3 by substituting color maps for the black-and-white maps submitted in the draft Analysis; (ii) Add to Appendix 2 the letter of R. W. Beck & Associates dated November 21, 1978; (iii) Insert in Section 9 a new subsection "Changes in Rate Structure and Pricing. " (iv) Add revised Figure 2-14, showing a new preferred Eastern transmission line route which would veer to the east just north of the Wellington Wildlife Management Area, and would follow generally the uncultivated slope near Black Hollow Creek to a junction with Weld County Road 19 approximately 42 miles north of Black Hollow Reservoir, and thence south to connect with an existing Platte River 230 kV line; and make appropriate related changes in the text of Sections 3, 4 and 9. This Board received many comments, favorable and unfavorable, concerning the proposed Rawhide Energy Project and the Environ- mental Impact Analysis during the course of the November 29-30 hearings. We believe it will facilitate public understanding -3- i of this Board's decision if notice is taken of these comments. (2) Need for Additional Generation by 1985 Members of the public who appeared before the Board expressed differing opinions about the adequacy of the Environmental Impact Analysis in addressing the questions of need and the prospects for electric energy conservation. This Board finds that questions of need and the outlook for conservation are not issues which are germane to the adequacy of the Environmental Impact Analysis . There is no requirement under the terms and conditions of the Platte River-Larimer County Intergovernmental Agreement of August 25, 1977 that the Environmental Impact Analysis address these questions.1/ The question of need for additional base load electric energy generating capacity by 1984-85 has been addressed by Platte River' s Board since 1976 , prior to the Intergovernmental Agreement, or the Environmental Impact Analysis or the scheduling of public hearings. Otherwise Platte River would not have pro- vided $150 ,000 to Larimer County to fund an independent study of the environmental aspects of the proposed Rawhide Project and the zoning of a site on which to build it. 1/ We recognize that in Sections 3 (c) and (g) of the Platte River-Larimer County Intergovernmental Agreement, Platte River has agreed to review and confirm future capacity and energy projections for the Larimer County Commissioners and to encourage conservation efforts in our municipalities. By doing so, we have not abdicated our jurisdiction over these questions to Larimer County. That County' s review process is confined by the Agreement to those functions they have traditionally and properly exercised. See Sections (1) and (2) of the Intergovernmental Agreement. The items set forth in Section (3) of that Agreement are outside of the review process set forth in the preceding two sections. -4- , Need and conservation are issues this Board necessarily addresses in deciding what actions are appropriate in fulfilling our fundamental purpose -- the supply of the future electric energy requirements of Estes Park, Fort Collins , Longmont and Loveland. It is in this context alone that the issues of need and conservation are properly before this Board and we have con- sidered comments and testimony received on these subjects in that context. Part of our responsibility, as Directors of Platte River, is to establish -- from information submitted to us by Platte River' s staff and consultants as well as from data received from our own municipalities as municipal officials -- the need for additional base load generation. From our review of this material we are convinced that, in order to meet its supply obligations to the four municipalities, Platte River must design, finance and con- struct new base load generating capacity by 1985. A compelling summary of the information upon which we base this conclusion is included in the Environmental Impact Analysis , and the Appendices, as part of the description and history of the project. See pp. 1-4 , 1-5 , Appendices 1 and 2, and Bibliography Documents Nos. 2 , 5 , 6 , 7, 9 , and 14. The econometric model was not discussed because it is not material to the environmental issues. It is a forecasting tool which is in the process of development and is not yet refined to the point of dependability. To predict capacity and energy require- ments, such a model requires projections of population, income and other factors. None of these are supported by data as frequently -5- and as accurately collected as monthly meter readings which are carefully checked before wholesale power bills are paid. Platte River' s econometric model shows some promise, although it appears to overstate need. With more development it could be useful, but not as the principal method of forecasting. The authority to decide conclusively questions of need for the electric facilities of a municipally-owned utility is re- served, by Article XXV of the Colorado Constitution, to munici- palities. As representatives of the four municipalities which own Platte River, and as Platte River' s Directors , that respon- sibility remains with us unless our governing boards determine otherwise. Similarily, the Environmental Impact Analysis addresses in a clear manner the potential, as well as the limitations, of electric energy conservation. See pp. 9-18 to 9-20 , and Bibli- ography Documents Nos. 11 and 31 of the Environmental Impact Analysis. While electric energy conservation efforts are pre- sently underway in all four cities, it is our considered judgment that even the most drastic conservation efforts could not post- pone the need for additional base load generation by more than a few months beyond early 1985 . Man is mortal, and his vision of the future lacks the desir- able quality of certainty. It is therefore impossible to answer every "what if" question that is raised. We must project the four municipalities ' electric energy needs as best we can on the basis of past experience, discernible trends, and our con- sidered judgment. This is a very great responsibility which -6- the Board of Directors does not take lightly. At some point a firm and formal decision must be made. We are now at that point. This Board concludes that the need of Platte River' s four municipalities for additional electric energy generation by early 1985 has been established by an overwhelming preponderance of the evidence. We turn now to a decision of whether the proposed Rawhide Project is the appropriate solution to that need. (3) The Proposed Rawhide Project is the Lowest Cost Alternative Based upon the information set forth in Table 9D, Appendices 1, 2, and in Bibliography Documents Nos. 6 and 14 of the Environ- mental Impact Analysis, this Board concludes that the proposed Rawhide Project is the lowest cost alternative available to Platte River in meeting the electric energy requirements of its four municipal system customers. The cost of producing delivered energy from the Rawhide Project is estimated to be 2. 1 mills per kWh below that of the next lowest cost alternative, which was examined in March 1978. Based upon estimates of energy pro- duction from Rawhide, as shown in Appendix 1, ranging from 920 million kWh a year in 1985 to 1,242 million kWh a year by 1990 , this difference results in costs estimated at between $1. 9 million and $2. 6 million a year lower than the next most eco- nomical alternative. (4) The Environmental Impacts of the Rawhide Project The environmental impacts of the Rawhide Project are described -7- in Section 5 of the Environmental Impact Analysis; Section 6 suggests possible mitigation measures that could be implemented; Section 7 lists the unavoidable adverse impacts of the Project; and Section 8 describes the irreversible and irretrievable com- mitments of resources that will be made if Rawhide is constructed and operated. Little comment was received at the public hearings , or thereafter, that the Environmental Impact Analysis was in any way inadequate in its treatment of these topics. Dr. Charles G. Wilber, Professor of Zoology at Colorado State University, who has extensive qualifications and experience with coal-fired power plant environmental analyses, testified that the Rawhide Environ- mental Impact Analysis was complete, "carried out in a competent manner" , and covered "the usual and necessary factors needed to arrive at a final decision with respect to the Rawhide Project. " Earl Hogan, a professional engineer who also is experienced in environmental issues related to major capital projects, agreed with that assessment. A few people shared the concern of Steven Roy who, while he could find no particular fault with the project, was simply opposed to the idea of such a facility anywhere near his property. The Board concludes that the environmental impacts of the proposed Rawhide Project are as slight as could realistically be hoped for from a project of this magnitude. The Rawhide Project as now proposed has been changed to further minimize impact wherever possible and in addition appropriate and effective mitigation measures will be implemented. The General Manager -8- is directed to pursue these mitigation measures prudently and diligently. Our conclusion is in large part a tribute to the thoroughness and care that was exercised by the environmental planners in iden- tifying potential sites for the Project. See Bibliography Docu- ments Nos. 3, 4, and 5 of the Environmental Impact Analysis. Due to the strength of those studies, adverse environmental impacts were identified and minimized at the outset, and this has been confirmed by the detailed environmental work that followed those first studies. See Bibliography Documents Nos. 10 , 12, 13 , 16 , 18, 21, 24 , 25, 26 , 29 and 30 of the Environmental Impact Analysis. (5) The Socio-Economic Impacts of the Rawhide Project The socio-economic impacts that are anticipated as a result of the construction and operation of the Rawhide Energy Project are fully described in Section 5 and the accompanying Bibliography of the Environmental Impact Analysis; mitigation measures and monitoring are addressed in Section 6; Section 7 lists unavoidable adverse impacts; and Section 8 notes the irreversible and irre- trievable commitments of resources that would be made to the project. Some witnesses at the public hearings felt that the Environ- mental Impact Analysis was inadequate in its treatment of "second- ary impacts. " Robert Thompson, Wayne Ude and Cliff Bymaster voiced this viewpoint. These arguments are premised on the assumption that, because a future electric energy project will serve an in- crease in population, the project is the cause of that population -9- increase. We do not agree with that premise. There is no power plant near Fort Collins, yet it is growing faster than any city in Colorado; there is a very large power plant very near Glenrock, Wyoming yet there is little growth there. Marin County, California also has demonstrated that growth is not dependent upon the exist- ence of adequate utility capacity. Other members of the public were concerned that Platte River' s water rights, under its agreement with Fort Collins and Water Supply & Storage Company, might prove inadequate in drought years. Their concern was that under such conditions agricultural water rights might be condemned to supply the project's shortfall in water supply. Eugene Schneider, Cliff Bymaster, and Bill Burt expressed this view. Reports from consulting hydrologists, as well as the exhibits which are part of the Rawhide water reuse agreement, show that chances are remote that additional water will be needed in a dry year beyond the regulating capability of the 13, 600 acre feet of water to be stored in the Rawhide cooling pond. See Environmental Impact Analysis Bibliography Documents Nos. 17 and 28 . Moreover, Platte River has, or will have, back up sources of supply -- in- cluding any excess water supplies of its member municipalities and its Windy Gap entitlement -- that could be called upon in a drought. If needed, eligible water for Rawhide could be pur- chased or leased on the open market. It is the position of this Board not to condemn agricultural water rights , but this position does not preclude the purchase of water at an equitable price to be bargained for with a willing seller. -10- Two witnesses, Patricia Grant and Wendell Nelson, were con- cerned that the impacts of increased traffic would not be ade- quately mitigated. This Board appreciates their concern. At this time, however, we do not perceive that the impacts of the Rawhide Project alone will justify improvements to the county road network that go beyond improving Buckeye Road from I-25 past the Rawhide site to a junction with County Road 78 , as described in the Environmental Impact Analysis . Platte River will constrain the heavier trucks from using roads other than I-25 and the Buckeye Road segment to Rawhide as a condition of its construction contracts. And it may be that other methods of traffic control will prove effective in mitigating these traffic problems as a less costly alternative to upgrading. All feasible alternatives will be explored as part of Platte River' s ongoing obligation to mitigate such impacts. (6) Transmission Line Impacts and Alternatives (a) General The transmission line impacts and methods of mitigating them are discussed in Sections 5 and 6 of the Environmental Impact Analysis. These topics are reviewed in greater depth in Bibliography Documents Nos . 15 and 20 of the Environ- mental Impact Analysis . Most of the concerns pertaining to transmission lines that were raised at the public hearings are adequately addressed in the Environmental Impact Analysis. Most witnesses were primarily concerned with the effects the -11- transmission lines might have upon them in their indi- vidual circumstances . Nearly all of these kinds of impacts were discussed in the Environmental Impact Analysis . There was some concern expressed as to the effects of the lines on persons with heart pacemakers. While there appears to be no problem for new pacemakers with trans- mission lines of the voltage proposed for Rawhide, some older pacemakers may possibly be affected. The Board has therefore attempted to accommodate this concern, and others, in recommending an alternative eastern transmission line route. See discussion below. (b) Western Transmission Line Route Only two non-specific objections to the Western route were made by the public. Questions posed at the hearings were answered to the satisfaction of the questioner at that time. The various impacts of the alternative western routes have been considered and the Board is satisfied that the Western route of least impact has been selected, as shown in Figure 2-14 . (c) Eastern Transmission Line Route At the Wellington hearing, several people voiced objections to routing the Eastern transmission line along the Larimer-Weld County line road, especially in the more -12- heavily populated section south of Cobb Lake. These objec- tions alleged a variety of impacts to the County Line route, most of them stemming from the heavier population in the area. Platte River' s Board and management have been parti- cularly well served in evaluating this problem by the letter from Janice and Eric Wilkinson, which was submitted to us on December 4, and the letter of Mrs. Roger Vermeer, submitted December 6. Comprehensive and analytical state- ments such as these have real value, and together with other competent testimony are instrumental in reaching a decision to change the routing of the Eastern transmission line away from the County Line Road to the alternative routing here- inafter discussed. The Colorado Division of Wildlife has also voiced its concern in regard to the County Line route' s impact upon the Wellington Management Area. The Division would prefer that Platte River parallel existing lines through the area rather than open a new route. These objections must be weighed against the agricultural impacts cited by those opposed to the alternative Weld County routes. After conferring with staff and consultants, it appears to this Board that by routing the Eastern transmission line along the right-of-way of the existing Bureau of Reclamation 345 kV line, for a part of the distance, and down the un- cultivated slope near Black Hollow Creek to join with Weld County Road 19 , and thence south to Black Hollow Reservoir, -13- most of the cited agricultural impacts can be avoided. The remainder can be fairly compensated when right-of-way is acquired. Accordingly, the Board has directed that the route selected for the Eastern transmission line be as shown in revised Figure 2-14. (7) Water Pipeline Impacts No testimony or comment was received criticizing the Environmental Impact Analysis ' treatment of the impacts of the water pipeline. See pp. 5-34 , 5-35 and 6-11. It does not appear to this Board that such impacts are significant. Disruptions attributable to construction will be temporary and the pipeline will be underground. (8) Alternatives to the Rawhide Project Alternatives to the Rawhide Project are discussed in Section 9 of the Environmental Impact Analysis and accompanying documents . (a) Alternative Generating Methods Testimony was offered by Dr. Stuart Krebs to the effect that alternatives to the Rawhide Energy Project were not addressed adequately in the Environmental Impact Analysis . Based upon our review of the Environmental Impact Analysis, this Board does not believe Dr. Krebs ' criticism is well taken. The considerations of alternative generating methods -- including those of nuclear power and cogeneration which were specifically mentioned by Dr. Krebs -- are discussed in Section 9 of the Environmental Impact Analysis. See pp. -14- 9-12 to 9-17 and Table 9D. These subjects are explored in greater detail in Bibliography Document No. 19 and are dis- cussed in Bibliography Documents Nos. 1, 2 , 6, 7 , 9 and 14 of the Environmental Impact Analysis .?/ (b) Alternative Projects Based upon its review of the Environmental Impact Anal- ysis as well as the testimony and comment submitted by the public, this Board has reached the conclusion that environ- mental and socio-economic impacts of the proposed Rawhide Project will be minimal. While it would unduly prolong this memorandum to discuss in detail each and every factor that has led us to that conclusion, it is appropriate to point out the features of the Rawhide Project proposal that make it not only acceptable, but superior, in comparison with available alternatives. Because various factors are inter- related, and may vary from one alternative to the next, it is not possible to definitely designate one alternative as 2/ It is appropriate to emphasize at this point a basic feature of the Environmental Impact Analysis that seems to have escaped some readers of the document. The preface to the Environmental Impact Analysis reads as follows : "The accompanying Environmental Impact Analysis is based upon . . . a large number of reports . . contain (ing) literally thousands of pages of information . . . In order to present this information . . . without . . . (being) excessively long and burdensome . . . a substantial amount of summarization has been necessary. Accordingly, the references listed in the Bibliography should be considered an integral part of the environmental analysis and should be consulted when additional information is desired. " (emphasis added) -15- environmentally preferable. It is possible, however, to evaluate all aspects of the Rawhide Project in order to determine whether initial indications from siting and other studies were successful in identifying an environmentally acceptable project. These aspects are catalogued below: First, the Rawhide site is located near the area it will serve. The lengths, and therefore the impacts, of trans- mission lines are thereby minimized. Rawhide is only 18 miles from Fort Collins , Platte River ' s largest municipal customer, and only 28 miles from Loveland, approximately the load center of the Platte River system. See Figure 2-1, 2-14 , pp. 5-27 to 5-33 and 9-11 of the Environmental Impact Analysis. Second, the Rawhide site is located on remote, relatively unproductive land. There is no cultivated acreage on the Raw- hide site, and that site shows evidence of overgrazing in the past. Thus impacts on individuals and agriculture are mini- mized. See p. 5-16 of the Environmental Impact Analysis. At the same time, the Rawhide site is close enough to the labor forces of major metropolitan areas that socio- economic impacts are minimized. Mr. John Donlon of the Colorado Building and Construction Trades Council advises that "manpower requirements for the power project will be easily met from the surrounding areas . . . " See pp. 5-21 to 5-27 of the Environmental Impact Analysis. The air quality characteristics of the site are very favorable. Platte River' s consultant, Don S. Packnett, Staff Meteorologist of Stearns-Roger has stated, "In fact, -16- at Rawhide, and from the standpoint of air quality mainten- ance, you may have just about the best site for a coal-fired power plant in Colorado. " See pp. 5-13 to 5-16 and Bibli- ography Document No. 32 of the Environmental Impact Analysis . While some wildlife will be affected by construction and operation of the Rawhide Project, the overall impact of that project is expected to be favorable. The 460 acre cool- ing pond will generally be ice-free and will provide a habitat for warm water fish and migratory birds which does not now exist. See pp. 5-8 to 5-12 of the Environmental Impact Analysis . Water for cooling purposes will be provided by sewage effluent from Fort Collins, which can be transported to and impounded safely at the Rawhide site. This innovative plan for the use of return water flow from a sewage treatment plant to provide power plant cooling will make water do double duty in this arid region. See pp. 2-11 to 2-15, 5-2 to 5-5 and 5-34 to 5-35 of the Environmental Impact Analysis. Dr. Harold Hagen expressed the concern that the growth of vascular water plants (such as water lilies) in the Rawhide cooling pond would increase water consumption beyond that al- ready projected for plant operation. Based on studies prepared by Black & Veatch, the growth of such rooted plants will be limited to shallow areas of the cooling pond around the shore- lines. The turbidity of the cooling pond, along with the control of the carbon content in the water from the sewage treatment plant, are expected to limit the growth of these -17- vascular plants to an acceptable level. See pp. 2-17 thru 2-19 , Table 2H, pp. 9-5 thru 9-7 and Table 9B. Coal trains can move to the site with a minimum of dis- ruption to Front Range cities and other populated areas. Coal deliveries will average 2 to 4 trains per week, compared to 4 trains per day which now pass the Rawhide site. See p. 2-21 of the Environmental Impact Analysis. The technology proposed for the Rawhide Project is the best practical technology available. Coal-fired power plants are a proven form of electric energy production technology; other technologies are at least a decade in the future. See pp. 9-12 to 9-15 and Bibliography Document No. 19 of the Environmental Impact Analysis . Finally, the Rawhide Project is the lowest cost alter- native. At Rawhide ' s projected level of operations, savings are estimated at $1. 9 million to $2. 6 million a year compared to the next lowest cost alternative. See pp. 9-16 to 9-18, Table 9D, Appendices 1 and 2 , and Bibliography Documents Nos. 1, 2 , 6 and 14 of the Environmental Impact Analysis. (c) Conclusion On the basis of the information presented in the Environ- mental Impact Analysis and supporting documents , this Board finds that construction of a 230 MW (net) coal-fired electric generating unit at the Rawhide Project site, for operation commencing early in 1985, is the best alternative available to Platte River to meet the electric energy needs of its four -18- municipal electric system customers, after all environmental, economic and technological factors are taken into account. (9) Miscellaneous Some people felt that there was insufficient time given to the public to review the Environmental Impact Analysis. In response to that concern the Board extended the period for written comment until December 7 . The Board has received several written comments since the November 30 hearing and prior to December 7 , all of which have been considered by this Board. Two such comments deserve further attention in this memorandum. One from Duane Boes, on December 3, questions need and sug- gests that a "ten percent growth factor in use per capita" under- lies projections by Platte River' s consultants. This is not the case. R. W. Beck & Associates projects growth in energy require- ments at 9% per year. Since population growth projections for the four municipalities are averaging about 5% per year, this leaves a factor of only 3. 8% per year growth in per capita use. Mr. Boes states that he considers Platte River' s sale of temporary surplus power and energy to be "unfair competition with private industry" . Rather than competition, such sales or exhanges are in fact cooperation, since the likely utility will be Public Service Company or Pacific Power & Light, or Tri-State who also have their customers ' energy needs to meet. Such oper- ating relationships established with other utilities are benefi- cial in that Platte River can look forward to similar purchases or exchanges in the future. -19- A letter from Dr. Robert P. Thompson suggests that estimated cost increases for Rawhide have resulted "not from inflation nor environmental delays but from problems in engineering and financ- ing" . This is pure fallacy. It is precisely inflation which has produced the estimated cost increase; engineering has never posed a problem and we have done no financing for the construction of Rawhide. Contrary to Dr. Thompson' s assertion, the Environmental Impact Analysis does in fact discuss impacts on air quality of all three Rawhide units operating at 750 MW. See p. 5-13 and Table 5B. Data in Table 5B are based upon "worst case" meteorology, but the text does not say so. We thank Dr. Thompson for calling this to our attention and have ordered a correction. (10) Further Findings of Fact From the record before this Board, including the Environ- mental Impact Analysis, its Appendices and Bibliography, related engineering studies of the Rawhide Project, public comment there- on, expert opinion available from staff and consultants , and the experience and expertise of this Board' s members , it is found as a fact that: (a) Platte River Power Authority ("Platte River" ) is a municipally-owned utility and a political subdivision of Colorado, established pursuant to Section 29-1-204 , Colorado Revised Statutes 1973. It is engaged in the supply of electric energy at wholesale to its four municipality owners, Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland ("Municipalities" ) , pursuant to uniform -20- contracts dated September 5, 1974 and running to June 30 , 2014. (b) Article XXV of the Colorado Constitution reserves to municipalities all decisions relating to and auton- omous control over the facilities of their municipally- owned utilities . With respect to the need for, and the design and timing of, new electric generation and trans- mission facilities, this decision-making function has been delegated, by the municipalities which own and control Platte River, to the Platte River Board of Directors. (c) Capacity and energy projections prepared by Platte River' s staff and consultants show that by 1985 all energy resources now available to Platte River to perform its energy supply obligations to the Muni- cipalities, and from its share of the Yampa Project, will be fully utilized, and that an additional source of base load electric energy generation is needed. (d) The costs of delivered energy from alternative sources of base load generation located in Colorado, have been analysed and compared in the net delivered capability range of 70 MW to 236 MW. A coal-fired generating unit of a net capability of 230 MW, located near Platte River' s load center will provide delivered energy at the lowest cost. (e) The Rawhide site in northern Larimer County, about 18 miles north of Fort Collins, is one of minimal environ- mental impact, is capable of supporting coal-fired -21- generation up to 750 MW while meeting air quality standards, and is readily accessible to rail delivery of coal and cooling water supplies . (f) The estimated cost of a 230 MW (net) proposed coal- fired power plant at the Rawhide site is $255 . 5 million, based upon construction for commercial operation in January 1985 . This estimate allows for an estimated inflation rate of 6% a year and includes administrative and engineering overheads, fuel and spare parts inven- tory and interest during construction. (g) The estimate of $255 . 5 million for the Rawhide Energy Project includes , as part of said project, the necessary railroad spur for coal delivery, the necessary pipeline for cooling water supply and two (2) 230 kV electric transmission lines of double circuit capability to carry the output of the power plant to load centers. (h) Engineering of the first generating unit and the other components of the Rawhide Energy Project has already commenced, and it is anticipated that the first 230 MW (net) generating unit can be available for commercial operation in January 1985. To meet that schedule it is necessary that zoning for the site be approved by April 1979 and acquisition of rights-of-way for the water pipe- line be commenced immediately thereafter. (i) Commencing in 1985 the output of the Rawhide Project will be used by Platte River to meet the increasing electric energy requirements of the Municipalities. -22- Prior to the time that the full capacity of Rawhide is used for this purpose, the remaining capacity which is temporarily surplus to the then current needs of the Municipalities will be sold to, or exchanged with, other electric utilities . (j ) The cost of electric power and energy from the Rawhide Energy Project will be higher than the cost of power and energy from existing sources currently available to Platte River, and from a 140 MW share of the Yampa Project scheduled for commercial operation by July 1979 . However, beyond these sources Platte River does not have available to it a more economical source of base load power and energy than Rawhide to meet its supply obligations beyond 1985. (k) Platte River proposes to finance the construction of the Rawhide Project by the issuance of tax-exempt municipal revenue bonds, secured by the revenues obtain- able from the Municipalities and other utilities from the sale of power and energy to them. (1) Coal for the first 230 MW (net) unit of the Rawhide Project will come from the Antelope Mine in Wyoming pursuant to a contract between Platte River and the Antelope Coal Company executed October 19 , 1978 . Coal quantities are 800, 000 tons a year. The coal has a nominal heat content of 8500 Btu per pound and a sulfur content of 0. 29%. -23- (m) Pursuant to an Intergovernmental Agreement with Larimer County, dated August 25, 1977 , Platte River has pre- pared an Environmental Impact Analysis of the Rawhide Energy Project. This analysis has been made available to the public and has been the subject of review and comment at two public hearings in Platte River's service area: (i) at Loveland on November 29 , 1978 and (ii) at Wellington on November 30 , 1978 . Provision was made to receive written comments until the close of business on December 7, 1978 . This Analysis, as supplemented or revised to reflect appropriate comments, has been approved by this Board. (n) The construction, operation and maintenance of the Rawhide Energy Project will not duplicate the facil- ities of any other municipality, public utility or the United States . (o) There is a need for the construction, operation and maintenance of the Rawhide Energy Project, including its related electric transmission and water pipeline facil- ities. (p) Platte River is and will be financially and otherwise able to construct, operate and maintain the Rawhide Energy Project. (q) A conscientious effort has been made to minimize the environmental impact of the proposed Rawhide Energy Project. That impact will be as slight as could reason- ably be expected for a project of this magnitude and is acceptable when balanced against the need for, and -24- the benefits derived from, the electric energy to be generated by such a facility. (r) The Rawhide Energy Project complies with the mandate of the United States National Energy Policy that electric utilities , wherever possible, utilize coal for the generation of electric energy. (s) As revised and supplemented, the Environmental Impact Analysis provides the necessary background and insight which are essential to our decision whether to formally adopt the Rawhide Energy Project. In this Board' s judg- ment, the Environmental Impact Analysis complies in every respect with the guidelines contained in Attach- ment "A" of the Intergovernmental Agreement of August 25, 1977 between Platte River and Larimer County. (11) Conclusions This Board concludes that: (a) Utilizing the best available technology there is not a dependable, cost-effective alternative to a coal- fired generation facility which can meet the future electric energy needs of the Platte River municipal- ities, commencing early in 1985. The Rawhide Energy Project is the most environmentally acceptable and cost-effective site-specific alternative for a coal- fired generation facility available to Platte River. (b) The needs of Platte River' s municipal electric system customers and the public convenience and necessity -25- require that Platte River construct, operate and main- tain the Rawhide Energy Project and the related electric transmission and water pipeline facilities as the next source of base load electric energy generation for the four municipalities of Estes Park, Fort Collins , Longmont and Loveland. (12) Order Therefore in consequence of the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions, the Board of Directors of the Platte River Power Authority does hereby authorize and direct the General Manager as follows: (a) To prepare and present to the Board an appropriate resolution embodying the substance of the Findings and Conclusions of this Memorandum of Decision and the remainder of this Order; (b) To assemble and distribute an appropriate number of copies of the Rawhide Energy Project Environmental Impact Analysis, as revised and supplemented by this decision; and (c) To prepare and serve upon Larimer County the Notice of Completion as specified in the Intergovernmental Agreement of August 25, 1977, together with a copy of this Memorandum of Decision, the Environmental Impact Analysis, and any other documents required by said Intergovernmental Agreement. -26- Dated this 14th day of December 1978. FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, PLATTE RIVER POWER AUTHORITY AT i' 41 ) :7:4-ittEL) Robert L. Dekker rry T of er Secretary hairma The following Directors concur in this decision: Bilderback, Case, Dekker, Marchand Patterson, Russell, and Tregent -27- ID, ii oil. EXCERPTS FROM "RAWHIDE ENERGY PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS" CONCERNING PROPOSED WELD COUNTY TRANSMISSION LINE SEGMENT I . Description of Proposed Transmission Line Power generated at the Rawhide site must be brought into the existing regional transmission system so that it can be delivered to the municipalities supplied by Platte River and to other utilities to whom Platte River proposes to sell temporary surplus energy. After conducting a transmission system analysis based upon engineering and reliability criteria, Platte River determined that two double-circuit 230 kV lines should eventually be built from Rawhide to the existing transmission network. Each line must be in a separate corridor so that a single event (storm, accident, etc. ) would have a very low probability of taking both lines out of service. The location of the proposed transmission routes is shown in Figure 2-14 . These routes were chosen on the basis of transmission line routing studies performed for Platte River by EDAW, Inc. The eastern line will connect with the existing Fort Collins to Ault 230 kV line and will terminate at that junction. The western route will re4!) terminate at the Poudre Substation which is located on Willox Lane in Fort Collins, one-half mile east of U.S . 287 . Both lines will generally require a 100-foot wide right-of-way. The conductors (wires) on each transmission line will be supported by tubular steel poles spaced 850 to 1200 feet apart. These poles will have two sets of conductor arms, one on each side of the pole (Figure 2-15) . Each set of arms can support three conductor wires , enough for one 230 kV circuit. Between 1980 and 1984 two circuits will be strung on the eastern line, but only one circuit will be strung on the western line in that period. A second cir- cuLt will be added on the western line when the Rawhide Project is expanded to 750 MW. Both of the 230 kV transmission lines will originate at the Rawhide Project switchyard located close to the power plant. The transmission lines will be connected at their southern end to Platte River' s existing transmission network. No intervening off-site substations or switch- yards will be required. Construction Process r) Following right-of-way acquisition, the first step in the transmission line construction process is excavation of the -1- w rL 3 npole foundations . Large diameter, truck or crane-mounted drilling equipment can be used in most locations. In a few locations, where hard rock outcrops near the surface, limited blasting or hard rock drilling equipment may be needed. When an excavation has been completed, the bottom section (stub) of the pole is embedded and a six foot diameter concrete foundation is then Poured around it. Following erecticn of the stub 1the upper section of the poles can be erected, employing a crane with 75-80 ton capacity. These cranes require a flat, horizontal work surface, and in some of the rougher terrain along the proposed routes it will be necessary to level a 40 ' by 40 ` area to allow safe and efficient crane operation. The tubular steel poles are too' heavy to allow helicopter erection. The final major operation is stringing the conductors. The conductor is attached to flexible nylon rope or steel cable and is then strung through stringing sheaves (pulleys) which are attached to the insulators at each pole. Three main pieces of equipment are used in string- ing the conductor: a truck-mounted machine to pull the conductor from pole to pole; a truck-mounted tensioning machine to assure proper conductor tension; and a tractor C) with trailer-mounted equipment for the three conductor reels of approximately 10 tons each. It is estimated that a crew of 25 will be needed to construct each line . Con- struction of the eastern line is scheduled to commence in the Fall of 1980 and continue to the Spring of 1981. Con- struction of the western line will begin in the Fall of 1983 and be completed by the Spring of 1984. Noise Transmission lines are a source of low level noise. The cause of this noise is known as corona, which is a partial electrical discharge that occurs when the dielectric strength of insulation is exceeded. It is caused by small irregularities on the conductor surface (usually dust particles, water droplets, or insects) which produce a distortion in the electrical field. As a result of this distortion, sufficient energy is imparted to charged particles to cause ionization of the immediate surround- ing air. Some physical manifestations of corona are an audible humming and crackling noise and occasionally a • bluish-white glow. Corona is always present and its intensity is influenced "4' by weather conditions. During fair weather, when con- ductors are dry, corona and its associated noise are • -2- 'w negligible, frequently less than the ambient noise levels measured at the edge of the right-of-way. During wet weather, a somewhat higher noise level is generated because the moisture present in the air collects on the conductors. Under these conditions air is not a good insulator and a large amount of electricity is conducted from the line. Under extreme conditions, the noise may reach 54 db (A) -1 . Table 1 presents estimated noise levels at the edge of the right-of-way. These estimates were made by Commonwealth Associates of Jackson, Michigan. Table 1 Transmission Line Noise Levels, Edge of Right-of-Way Level in db (A) Percent Cumulative 230 kV Double Circuit Occurrence Occurrence 29 or less 86 . 78% 86 . 78% 30-45 7. 52 94 . 30 46-48 4. 41 98 . 71 49-53 1. 25 99 . 96 54 or more 0 . 04 100 . 00 (71: Ozone Another manifestation of corona is the production of small amounts of ozone, which is an unstable gas that occurs naturally in the atmosphere. In sufficiently high con- centrations , ozone is harmful to the health of humans and other organisms . A major source of ozone in urban areas • is the action of sunlight on the nitrogen dioxide in auto- mobile exhaust. Ozone can also be produced by an elec- trical discharge from lightning or from transmission line corona. Ozone produced by corona on transmission lines is difficult to measure under field conditions because of the small amounts produced, their rapid dispersal, and ambient levels that vary widely. Studies by Battelle Laboratories , by the American Electric Power Service Corporation, and by others conclude that no ozone can be detected during field tests which could be attributed to transmission lines (between 230 kV and 800 kV) . Concentrations observed were indistinguishable from ambient levels. rib\ 2/ For comparison, note the db (A) levels of the following: rustling leaves (20) , library (40) , busy restaurant (65) 1,- ay heavy traffic (92) , jetliner 500 ft. overhead (115) . -3- w , r..... Electric Fields Regardless of voltage class, all overhead, energized transmission lines have an associated electrostatic field and electromagnetic field. The intensity of the electro- static field at ground level is expressed in units of kilovolts per meter (kV/m) . The maximum value of the ground level electrostatic field beneath the Rawhide transmission lines is expected to be approximately 2 . 5 kV/m. At the edge of the right-of-way, the value is expected to be 0 . 75 kV/m. The earth' s average electrostatic field at ground level is 0. 13 kV/m. The field may reach 3 . 0 kV/m beneath thunder clouds even in the absence of lightning. Transmission lines also have an associated electromagnetic field, the strength of which is commonly expressed in units of Gauss. The maximum electromagnetic field values at ground level for the proposed transmission lines is 0 . 12 Gauss. For comparison purposes , a common heating pad generates a field of 2 . 0 Gauss. A weapons detector used at many airports has an equivalent magnetic field of 1. 53 Gauss. The electric field associated with high-voltage lines can w induce voltages and currents in metallic fences , structures r` ') or other conducting objects. A person who comes into contact with such structures may receive a slight shock similar to that sometimes received after walking across a carpet in dry weather. In order to avoid the potential for such nuisance shocks, Platte River grounds all fences and other objects located within the transmission right- of-way. II. Description of Existing Environment Topography The area between the Rawhide site and the destination of the transmission line is generally flat, agricultural landscape. Elevations on the eastern transmission line route range from about 5, 650 feet at the plant site to 5 ,000 feet at its termination in Weld County. The most prominent topographic feature encountered along the eastern route is a ridge near the Larimer-Weld County line that is about 200 feet high at its highest point. This ridge generally parallels the county line from the site vicinity to Cobb Lake, where the ridge tapers off to the southeast. rhs) -4- . , Geology The region within the transmission line routes is underlain to great depths by marine shales and sandstones which were laid down in a sea which occupied the region during Cretaceous times, some 100 million years ago. Since then, regional buckling has caused rocks to be thrust upwards, thus form- ing the mountains of the Front Range. The flat-lying marine sediments which lie beneath most of the transmission line routes have been much less affected by this regional up- warping of the earth' s crust, but the sharp uplift of the mountains to the west has nonetheless resulted in some minor tilting and folding which has exposed these rocks. This is most pronounced near the western transmission line route where tilted beds of sandstone, shale and limestone form the pronounced series of dipping beds which form hogback ridges. East of these ridges, the tilt of the beds is more gentle, trending downward to the east, but sometimes inter- rupted by minor folds. In more recent geologic times, the relatively flat-plained surface of Cretaceous rocks has been covered by water-laid upland pediment deposits which have, in time, been eroded and backfilled by the various water courses in the area. rs, They have also been affected to a lesser extent by wind ac-ion. Thickness of these more recent water-laid and wind-laid deposits is generally less than fifty feet. Hydrology The proposed transmission line route crosses three inter- mi-tent streams, including Spottlewood, Indian and Black • Hollow Creeks. Soils Three soil associations are encountered along the proposed transmission route. These are described below, based on information contained in "Soil Resources of Colorado, Region 2 -- Larimer and Weld Counties. " Altvan-Larimer-Stoneham Association Approximately 8. 5 miles of the route will be constructed within this association. The major soils are formed in old outwash sediments principally from granite, gneiss and shist. Minor (I) soils included in this association are Cushman, Fort Collins, Keith, Kim, Renohill, Satanta, Thedalund and Midway soils. Cushman and Thedalund soils are moderately deep, loamy soils on uplands. Kim and Satanta soils are deep, loamy soils on . uplands and terraces. Renohill soils are upland, clay loam w -5- / ii" fl soils moderately deep over shale. Fort Collins soils are deep, loamy soils on terrace and uplands. Keith soils are deep, silty clay loam upland soils . Midway soils are shallow clay loam soils on uplands. See Table 2 for more infor- mation. Olney-Kim-Otero Association Approximately 8 miles of the route will be constructed within this association. The soils of this association are deep, level to moderately sloping, well-drained, loamy sandy loam and loamy sand soils on uplands , fans, and drainageways . Olney soils are formed in mixed loamy and sandy materials. Kim soils are formed in mixed loamy materials from sandstone and shale that have been modified by wind and water. Otero soils are formed in loamy materials also modified by wind and water. The minor soils included in this association are Ascalon, Nelson, Thedalund and Vona. Ascolon and Vona soils are deep, well-drained sandy loams on uplands. Nelson soils are well-drained, moderately deep sandy loam soils on uplands. Thedalund soils have been previously described. See Table 2 for more information. rOtero-Thedalune-Nelson Association Approximately 4 . 5 miles of the route will be constructed within this association. The soils of this association are deep and moderately deep, level to moderately sloping, well-drained sandy loam soils on uplands. The major soils in this association have been previously described. The minor soils include Kim, Renohill, Terry and Vona. Terry soils are moderately deep, well-drained sandy loams on • uplands and underlain by sandstone. The other minor soils in this association have been previously described. See Table 2 for more information. Vegetation Vegetation along the transmission lines from the Rawhide Project consists primarily of native rangelands and cultivated fields. This subsection will describe only natural vegetation present along the proposed routes . Cultivated and developed areas are discussed under land use. Native range in the transmission line area is primarily • short crass prairie. Although relatively uniform in appearance, differences in topography and in soil texture and chemistry result in variations in the composition and development of r) -6- •w z Table TRANSMISSION ' :NE SOILS Sheet 1 of 2 SOIL SERIES AND SITE FACTORS jOIL SERIES • OR SUBGROUP SLOPE POSITION SOIL AGRICULTURAL SUITABILITY EROSION EROSION DEPTH D (%) HAZARD(Inches) IRRIGATED IRRIGATED TON/AC High terraces Good to Good to Mod. Altvan 0-9 and benches 60+ Fair Fair 5 to High Ascalon 0-9 Uplands 60+ Good to Prime Fair 5 Mod. Cushman 0-9 Uplands 20-40 Fair to Good to Slight Nonarable Fair 5 to Mod. Fort Collins 0-9 Terraces and 60+ Fair to Prime to 5 Slight Fans Nonarable Fair to High Keith 0-3 Uplands 60+ Good Prime to 5 Slight Good Fans and Fair to Prime to Slight Kim 0-3 Benches 60+ Nonarable Fair 5 to High Terraces, r4Timer 1-10 Fans 60+ Fair to Good to Slight Nonarable Fair 2 to Mnd. Midway 5-25 Uplands 10-20 Nonarable Nonarable 1 High Nelson 0-15 Uplands 20-4- Fair to Fair 3 Slight Nonarable to High Olney 0-5 Uplands 60+ Fair to Prime to Nonarable Good 5 Mod. Otero 0-15 Fans 60+ Fair to Prime to 5 Slight 1 Nonarable Fair to ' High Renohill 0-15 Uplands 20-40 Fair to Good to 2 Slight Nonarable Nonarable to High Uplands and 60+ Good to Prime to 5 Slight Satanta 0-9 high terraces Fair Good to I High Uplands and 60+ Fair to Prime to 5 Slight Stoneham 0-15 Old Terraces Nonarable Fair to High Tera;y 0-9 Uplands 20-40 Good to Good to 2 Mod. (ii" Nonarable Nonarable .5a 'fable 2 (Continued) Sheet 2 of 2 SOIL SERIES AND SITE FACTORS OIL SERIES OR SUBGROUP SLOPE POSITION SOIL AGRICULTURAL SUITABILITY EROSION EROSION (%) DEPTH NON- HAZARD (Inches) IRRIGATED IRRIGATED TON/AC Fair to Fair 2 Slight Thedalund 0-9 Uplands 20-4 Nonarable to Mod. Vona 0-9 Uplands and 60+ Good to Prime to 5 High High Terraces Nonarable Fair • 4 , 1 ' 1 • the plant cover. Areas with a similar environment which tend to have a particular plant community, are identified as "range sites" by the Soils Conservation Service (SCS) . Based on SCS soil maps , there are six major range sites present along the transmission line route. The loamy plains range site has the most typical plant community in the study area, both because of its extent, and because the vegetation on several other range sites tends to resemble it in actual composition. Approximately 2 . 5 miles of the route cross this range site. This is short grass upland prairie, with blue grama as the dominant species . Other important species are buffalo grass, threeawn and needle-leaf sedge. A variety of perennial native forbs occur but make up at most a few percent of the biomass and cover. Several small shrubs and succulents also occur in small quantities. Annual forbs, especially goosefoot and Russian thistle, may be common in places. Approximately four miles of the eastern line are located in the sandy plains range site. The soils are sandy loams, which provide better moisture conditions and a longer grow- ing season than finer-textured soils. While the site favors mid-grasses , most of the present vegetation is short grass prairie similar to the loamy plains site. In small localized areas, forbs and mid-grasses are prominent. Severely dis- turbed areas within this range site are dominated by weedy forbs. Approximately 2 . 5 miles of the eastern route cross sand- stone breaks and gravel breaks. These range sites are present in areas of steeper topography (5% to 40%) slope) along intermittent streams and on hills and ridges . Blue grama is the dominant species on gentler slopes. Steeper ground and small areas of shall soils on ridges have a sparser cover consisting of forbs, small shrubs and grasses such as Indian rice grass. A number of species, especially cushion plants, are restricted to these areas. The proposed route also crosses slightly more than one mile of salt meadow range site. This site is composed primarily of alkali sacation, wheat greases , buffalo grass and salt grass. Burning bush, goosefoot and small-flowered marsh elder are abundant in some areas of bare soils , especially on the north side of Buckeye Road. The remaining 11 miles of the route travel through an area that is predominantly under dry land cultivation. The route parallels the existing 345kV line through the Wellington Management Area and then follows a narrow patch -7- '1, n • . nof uncultivated land for approximately 22 miles until it joins with Weld County Road 19. The remaining 6 miles follow County Road 19 through an area that is entirely under dry land cultivation with the exception of a small area on the western edge of Black Hollow Reservoir. Wildlife In the first 61/2 miles from the site, the transmission line route traverses primarily upland range that supports a wildlife com- plement similar to that present at the Rawhide site. Spottle- wood Creek, which is crossed about z mile east of the Rawhide site, provides a riparian habitat which contrasts with the dry plains environment. Habitat diversity is created by cliffs, gullies, trees and tall herbaceous species unable to utilize the open prairie environment to fulfill all of their life cycle requirements. Because it is situated in a relatively homogeneous plains environment, species diversity is increased and wildlife use is mare intense in the vicinity of the Spottlewood Creek crossing. A large black-tailed prairie dog colony, encompassing some 25 acres and comprising a population estimated to be in excess of 200 animals, is encountered in the vicinity of where the eastern transmission line route crosses I-25 . East of 1-25 , the eastern route traverses upland range that is broken by three well-defined arroyos. These arroyos provide a significant habitat diversity. Cover, food, nesting and denning sites are available to species which could not otherwise success- fully utilize the prairie environment. Mule deer, bobcat, cliff swallows and rock-wrens are examples of the species dependent upon the arroyo habitat. The arroyos also support greater populations of some animals than could be maintained on the open prairie. South of Dover Road, the eastern transmission line route traverses upland plains characterized by disturbance and a weedy plant cover. Human activity and cultivation diminish the value of the area to most species of wildlife from the Dover Road crossing south to the termination of the eastern line route. The route does pass through about one mile of the Wellington Wildlife Management Area which is managed primarily for upland game species and waterfowl but is also important for pheasant pro- duction. The proposed route is generally located at least one mile from the pheasant and waterfowl resting areas that are located .o the west. (9.7\ -8- i The remaining 11 miles of the -L cultivated areas that generalltley value for route pass through and near ` except for the small area nearBlack Hollow Reservoir tha whatlife, --, adjacent to the route. t is 7 Lan=Use Land use, public lands, traversed b and other information on the region y the transmission line are shown on Figure 2-14 . : The proposed route passes entirely through native rangelands for the first 8 miles from the 4. meets with the plant site. The route then existing Criag-Ault 345 kV line of the Bureau of Reclamation and parallels this line for another 4 miles through rangelands, one mile of which is within the Wellington Management Area. Upon leaving the Management Area, the route I travels about 21/2 miles through a narrow band of rangeland oute that is surrounded by dry land cultivation. For the miles, the route follows Weld County Road 19 through ans6 ill;' that is under dry land cultivation. s area the route comes within a mile of only oneexisting entirhouSe14 tance, .. The route does, however, pass by the edge of an a undeveloped subdivision that is located across fromr Bla but Hollow Reservoir. lacc k i (.1%1 Cultural Resources Figure 2-14 shows cultural resources that are located within the region traversed by the proposed transmission lines and a list of these cultural resources is provided in le 3. The route passes near only one site identified as aacultural resource. This is the site of Bulger City, founded in 1909 along the proposed route of the oColorado wn that was Central Railroad line. The town failed and no structures remain at the site. Recreational Resources The transmission line route passes near only one area that receives significant public recreational use. This is he Colorado Division of Wildlife Wellington Management Area. This area is managed primarily for waterfowl and small game habitat and public hunting and other recreational uses are allowed. Visual Resources The transmission line route is located in a region that ril generally be termed a panoramic landscape. sfcan rom P Most views from -9- within the region extend considerable distances. A slight sense of enclosure is created, however, by the foothills and mountains to the west and by the ridge that has a north- south orientation along the Larimer-Weld County line. The visual environment of the route may be conveniently divided into two sections. The northern section is characterized by a relative lack of man-made structures. Interstate 25 , the Burlington Northern mainline, the Craig-Ault 345 kV trans- mission line and an occasional ranch are the only prominant man-made features. At most locations, they remain subordinate to the existing landscape character. The southern half of the route enters a landscape where agricultural activities increase, and the orderly land use patterns imposed by sectional divisions become more apparent. Except for the mountains and human activity seen in distant views to the west, the landscape along the entire route is a monotonous one where the structures of a transmission line will be conspicuous. III . Impacts of Transmission Lines Impacts on the physical environment associated with construction and operation of the transmission lines from the Rawhide Project will be slight. Most of the impacts that do occur will be tem- porary and will be associated with the construction phase. Im- pacts on the socio-economic environment primarily concern land use and visual resources, and these impacts will be necessarily long-term. Topography and Geology • Construction and operation of the transmission lines from the Rawhide Project will have no significant impacts on topo- graphy or geology. At a few locations in the northern seg- men-zs of the lines, it may be necessary to level an area 40 feet by 40 feet at tower erection sites in order to operate construction equipment safely and efficiently. These areas will be revegetated and shaped to blend in with existing landforms. Soils Construction of the transmission lines will disturb soils at some locations along the proposed routes. Disturbances will be primarily associated with the operation of heavy equipment at tower erection sites , and to a lesser extent, by the move- ment of equipment along the right-of-way from one tower site to the next. -10- • At locations where an existing road (either a unimproved private road along field edges , etc. ) p or parallels the proposed route, the road will be used for the movement of construction equipment and disturbances will be limite it 4 the tower sites. On the eastern route, approximately 1d to 4miles of the total length of 21 miles are located away from exist- ing roads. Assuming that a corridor 25 feet wide along the a right-of-way will be disturbed by the movement of construction IA vehicles at locations away from roads, then approximately 42 acres will be disturbed by this traffic along the eastern � route. t 1 In addition, an area approximately 100 feet on a side will be disturbed at pole erection sites. With an average of 800 feet between poles, approximately 33 acres wi t ce llbe disturbed by pole erection along the eastern route. This results in a total disturbance area of approximately 75 acres. Where construction equipment and operation takes place, soils will be compacted to varying degrees . Compacted soils become less permeable and more difficult for plant roots to pen- etrate. The degree of compaction that will result from transmission line construction depends upon the amount of moisture present in the soils at the time of such construction and the physical properties of the soils encounter - struction of the transmission line is scheduled toe take Con place during a period extending from the Fall to Spring. Soil soilsmoistucanre lsupportevels construction vehicles with lesse usually during his and ctin ty and rutting than wet soils. The physical properties mofsoils encountered along the routes vary widely. Soils that are disturbed and have their vegetative cover removed or reduced, are more susceptible to erosion. Ac- celerated soil erosion will take place at disturbance locations during the period extending from initial disturb- ance until stabilization has been achieved through revegetation. The erodibility of soils along the transmission lins is highly variable. A significant impact is not expected, however, because of the small amount of disturbance that will take place. Less soils loss is expected from construction of both transmission lines than typically occurs on a cultivated quarter section located within the region traversed by the lines. Hydrology No significant impacts on hydrology are expected from con- struction and operation of the Rawhide transmission lines.Compacted soils will have a reduced permeability and therefore -11- . nrunoff will slightly increase from the affected areas. Disturbance will also expose soils to accelerated erosion and sediment production will slightly increase. However, neither of these impacts will have a noticeable effect on water quality or quantity in any water body. Vegetation Construction of the proposed transmission line will disturb rangeland vegetation on approximately 68 acres during the construction process, with reclamation and revegetation to follow when construction is completed. At most locations, the movement of construction equipment along the right-of-way will not cause enough disturbance to remove the vegetative cover. Vegetation at most locations will recover through normal processes within several growing seasons. At tower erection sites, vegetative disturbance will be more severe and will probably remove most of the vegetative cover within an area 100 feet by 100 feet, accounting for a total of approximately 45 acres which will require more intensive reclamation and revegetation following completion of the lines. Some damage to range vegetation may occur as a result of emergency maintenance at locations away from roads. Construction of the Rawhide transmission lines will not r, result in the loss of any existing or proposed special status species. Wildlife Most impacts on wildlife resulting from construction of the Rawhide transmission lines will be temporary. During the construction process, human activity and noise will cause most species to avoid construction sites and the near vicinity. Very little wildlife habitat (less than one acre) will be permanently lost by the placement of towers. After con- struction is completed, wildlife will generally return to the area and resume their previous usage. The transmission line will be designed so that no danger of electrocution will exist for large birds alighting on the structures . Raptors such as the golden eagle can be expected to make occasional use of transmission structures as hunting perches . It can be expected that waterfowl will occasionally collide with the transmission structures and suffer injury or death. This will be a minor but unavoidable impact. Trans- mission line collisions are more frequent on days with poor • visibility and are more common for migrants than for residents. No adverse impacts are expected on any special status species. (I) -12- • f ?Air Quality The operation of construction equipment will result in the _ emission of combustion by-products . The impacts of these emissions will be negligible, due to the low rate of emissions and the dispersion that will take place. Fugitive dust will also be generated during construction but will have only short term, insignificant impacts on air quality. i Land Use Less than one acre of land will be occupied by the trans- mission line poles. Existing land uses can continue, for the most part, along the proposed rights-of-way. The transmission lines will have impacts on land use, however, and these impacts relate primarily to changes in culti- vation practices that will be made necessary by the place- ment of poles , impacts on existing homes that must be moved in order to comply with national safety standards , and impacts on some future land uses that will be precluded within the transmission line rights-of-way. The eastern line will have 36 poles located at the edge of fields that are under dry land cultivation, 2 poles that are within fields that are under dry land cultivation and no pcles that will be on the edge of irrigated fields. No poles will be placed within the radius of a center pivot irrigation system. Placing poles within cultivated fields removes approximately 50 square feet of land from cultivation for each pole. Many farmers are successful in planting crops virtually right up to the base of poles even when they are in the middle of a field. However, cultivating around a pole requires that a farmer spend additional time maneuvering equipment and the pole also reduces the amount of flex- ibility a farmer has in changing the direction of rows in the field. Depending upon the specifics of a situation, a farmer will choose either to spend the additional time required to cultivate around the base of a pole, or will stop cultivating an additional small area around the pole to simplify his cultivation pattern and reduce the amount of maneuvering he has to do. The impacts of placing poles in cultivated land are compensated for in cash at the time payment is made to the individual landowner for acquisition of right-of-way. The proposed transmission line route traverses a sparsely populated area for its entire distance. The proposed route will not approach any existing homes, lots or other buildings -13- at a distance close enough to affect their usage. Only six homes are located within one half mile of the route and none are located closer than about one quarter of a mile. Across from Black Hollow Reservoir, the eastern route does pass along the edge of an approved but undeveloped sub- division. Although the line will not make any lots in this subdivision unbuildable, it may affect a present owner' s perception of the attractiveness of his lot. The acquisition of transmission line rights-of-way also impacts future land uses to the extent that no structures of any kind may be placed within the 100 foot wide right- of-way. Cultural Resources The proposed transmission line routes do not pass within close proximity of any significant cultural resources. Therefore, no adverse impacts are expected. Recreation ril The proposed transmission line route passes through, and is adjacent to, the Wellington Wildlife Management Area for a distance of three-quarters of a mile. This will not affect recreational use of the area but will slightly diminish its aesthetics. Most public use of the wildlife management area focuses on the wetlands and ponds that are located more than one-half mile to the west. Therefore, the line will not be visually dominant from areas of greatest public use within the wildlife management area. Visual Resources The visual impact of transmission lines is influenced by a number of factors , including the distance from which an object is viewed, the amount of screening, the values of the viewer and the amount of activity that is present in the landscape and competes for the viewer' s attention. All of these factors vary, depending upon which segment of the line is being viewed, by whom and from where. Figure 5-4 presents views of similar transmission lines in Larimer County and how they appear within a typical land- scape at varying distances. As can be seen in Figure 5-4 , r -14- T -n 1 b' 3 8 r I _J. `,11. N 3 3 N w} -7 l \ \ \ O r t A tr TfijA 3. F r 71 a .1f 1 CD S cCO i • N ; V rt s.rt J 13 •fl. I - I it,13 CnI 0, m 71 R Cl) � i. �' €.f K Ott 9 L i } 4 �• !' „ CD °' : mom r '7q ; ice., /w 0� t i, V� J . 'ck . J 1 `� a „,� " , ' the following distances generally determine visual prom- ' inence, unless special circumstances are present: less than 4 of a mile -- highly visible from ? to 4 mile -- clearly visible from ? to 1 mile -- slightly visible greater than 1 mile -- barely visible On this basis approximately 3/4 of a mile of the proposed transmission line will be clearly visible (4 to z mile) from I-25 . A total of 8 miles of the line will be highly visible from county roads. The proposed transmission line will appear clearly visible in views from 119 houses . The great majority of these houses are situated near the southern ends of the line. In addition to the above evaluations, it should be noted that the proposed transmission line crosses I-25 and that a pole will be visible within a quarter mile on either side of the roadway. Also, as the line follows the narrow ridge of uncultivated land as it leaves the Wellington Management Area heading southeast, 10 to 12 poles will be silhouetted in regional views to the east.("44) Noise Construction of the Rawhide transmission lines will generate noise levels in the range of 72 to 96 dBA, measured at a distance of 50 feet from the activity. These noise levels will exist at a specific location for only two or three days during the construction period. Transmission Line Operations Impacts Operation of the Rawhide transmission lines will result in the emission of small amounts of ozone in concentrations that in most circumstances will be indistinguishable from background levels. Operation of the transmission lines will result in the generation of low levels of noise. As is stated in Table 1, noise levels dur±ng operation will be 29 dBA or less approximately 87% of the time, measured at the edge of the right-of-way. Under most circumstances these noise levels • will not be distinguishable from background levels, but during wet weather, noise levels may reach as high as 54 dBA at the edge of the right-of-way. (11* -15- , Under some circumstances, operation of the transmission lines may cause interference with radio and television reception. The incidence of radio interference near . transmission lines is largely limited to foul weather and the level of interference diminishes rapidly with distance from the right-of-way. Radio interference will be negligible at locations which are 200 feet or more frcm the edge of the right-of-way. Television reception immediately adjacent to the trans- mission lines will not be affected during fair weather, but may suffer some interference during foul weather. The interference is especially found in Channels 2 through 6 and may be seen as bands of speckled interference rolling upwards from the bottom of the screen . Television inter- ference from 230 kV transmission lines, however, is typically not a problem and it is anticipated that no corona produced television problems will occur in those areas where good television reception is currently obtained. As was described earlier, all transmission lines have an associated electrostatic and electromagnetic field. No adverse impacts on plants, animals or humans are expected frcm the low level fields that will be associated with the Rawhide transmission lines. Emergency repair of the transmission lines will require access to the damaged structures . The impacts of this access will depend upon the specific situation encountered. Normal maintenance consists of routine visual inspections • that will be made from existing roads where such access is available, or by helicopter from the air where no roads exist. • Transmission Line Mitigation Measurers The primary mitigation for transmission line impacts is careful route selection. A study conducted by EDAW, Inc. resulted in the careful selection of the proposed Rawhide transmission line routes , based upon minimizing impacts on agriculture, wildlife habitats , residences and other criteria. Additional mitigation measures are described in the following sections. Soils The amount of soil disturbance that occurs during tans- mission line construction will be minimized by confining equipment movement across undisturbed areas as much as possible. Soils that are compacted during construction fre -16- will be treated so that they are may recover lost per- •_ meability and on cultivated lands this usually can be F 1 accomplished by the use of deep-tillage tools . Platte River will either arrange to have this done in affected areas , or reimburse the landowner for having it done or doing it himself . Where soils become severely compacted, additional measures may be necessary. At some locations, it may be necessary to seed the compacted area to deep- rocted crops, to reduce tillage operations and to provide protective mulches against rain in order to allow the soil to rebuild its structure and recover reasonable permeability. If and where such measures are necessary, Platte River will assume all costs , including those associated with lost productivity while the affected soils recover. Similar efforts will be made on compacted rangeland where necessary. Erosion control measures will also be taken to minimize the amcunt of soil loss. These will include revegetation of disturbed areas and other stabilization measures where necessary.. Hydrology Revegetation and stabilization of disturbed areas will minimize impacts on hydrology. The proposed routes were carefully chosen to minimize impacts on aquatic areas. r Vegetation Disturbed rangelands will be reclaimed and revegetated as soon as possible after construction is completed. Re- vegetation plans will be developed on a site specific basis, in cooperation with the landowner. Wildlife • A survey of the proposed transmission line routes was conducted so that important wildlife habitats could be identified and avoided. The transmission line poles , arms and insulator assemblies are sufficiently visible, under all but the most foggy weather, to be avoided by migratory and other birds. The conductor phases (wires) are suf- ficiently far apart (17. 5 feet) to be beyond the wingspread of any bird and thus virtually preclude the hazard of electrocution. • Land Use (11.4 The proposed transmission line routes were selected to min- imize impacts on existing land use. Platte River will work -17- w A• • r` with affected landowners to make minor adjustments in the proposed transmission route alignments and carefully spot poles to further minimize land use impacts . The proposed transmission line construction period, which extends from Fall to Spring, was chosen to minimize disruption of agri- cultural activities . Visual Resources The proposed transmission line routes were chosen to minimize visual impacts to residents of the area. High terrain areas and areas of higher population densities were avoided wherever possible. The transmission line support structures (poles) have a more aesthetic design than lattice and some other designs. In addition, the poles will be treated to have a non-glare, dull gray finish that will minimize reflections and structure vis- ibility. The conductors (wires) will also be treated to minimize reflection and the shimmering effect that can be seen on some transmission lines. Transmission Line Operations Mitigation The electrical field generated by transmission lines can r cause interference with television and radio reception under some circumstances . If television and radio reception are impaired by operation of the transmission lines from the Rawhide Project, Platte River will work with the affected individuals to restore good reception. Reception problems have not been reported to date by any individuals living near the existing Platte River 115 kV and 230 kV lines in • Larimer or Weld Counties . Platte River will make available to individuals who live near the proposed Rawhide transmission lines a brochure that provides a discussion of the potential safety hazards associated with high voltage lines. To eliminate the nu.�sance shocks that are sometimes experienced when an individual touches an ungrounded object, Platte River will ground all fences that are located within the proposed rights-of-way. Any damages that are caused to fences , crops or other items by emergency repair of the Rawhide transmission lines will be paid for by Platte River. Alternative Transmission Line Routes rThe alternative transmission routes that were considered for the Rawhide Project are shown in Figure 9-3. These -18- a ' (...� alternative routes were considered in a transmission rout- inc study completed in November 1978 by EDAW, Inc. The routing study used the nine criteria listed below to determine the best route. (1) Minimize disruption to agricultural operations and potential. (2) Minimize disruption to and relocation of residential and business property. (3) Minimize disturbance to public lands , public facilities and cultural resources. (4) Minimize disturbance to wooded and marshland wildlife habitats. (5) Minimize length of line in the waterfowl flight zone. (6) Minimize prominent views of the line from roads . (7) Minimize prominent views of the line from houses. (8) Avoid conflicts with existing electrical distribution lines. (9) Minimize conflicting visual relationships with other structures or disorderly variations in the transmission line itself. The solid red line shown in Figure 9-3 indicate the routes that best comply with all of the evaluation criteria shown above. The dashed red lines are routes which performed as well or better with respect to some of the criteria, but had a lower overall compliance. As can be seen in Figure 9-3, several alternatives were considered to the preferred eastern route. One of the alternatives parallels I-25 for most of its length, a second parallels the Burlington Northern mainline for most of its length, a third parallels Larimer County Road 7 for most of its length, and a fourth would follow the Larimer-Weld County line. There are several north-south alternatives shown in Weld County that were chosen to follow existing land use patterns such as county roads or section lines. The results of the initial EDAW study, completed in June 1978, found that the route shown along the Larimer-Weld County line would have the least overall impact on the lines studied at that time. Subsequent to a public meeting held by Larimer County' s consultant, the Thorne Ecological Institute, a supplemental study was prepared to evaluate possible routes in Weld County. Based on the results of these two studies , plus substantial comment about this eastern line at Platte River' s Board of Directors hearing in Wellington, on November 30 , 1978, the preferred route shown in Figure 9-3 was de- veloped. This preferred route eliminates as much as possible the impact on irrigated and dry land agriculture, while reducing to a minimum the impact on houses along the route. ril * A matrix of the scores for each of these alternatives with respect to the nine evaluation criteria is presented in the Appendix of the EDAW transmission line siting studies. -19- sus . , it 9 PL.Lco_�� : +�l o� h��.QJr wee c e �L�`Cc��-i vin . )r �cPc C'ca a (1 ) Proposed Route In Range 67 West Township 10 North - Sections 31 and 30 Township 9 North - Sections 6, 7, 18, 19, 29, 30, 31 , and 32 Township 8 North - Sections 4, 5, 9, 10, 15, 16, 21 , 22, 27, 28, 33, and 34 Township 7 North - Sections 3 and 4 (2) Alternative Routes Studied In Range 67 West Township 10 North - Sections 19, 28, 29, 30, 32 and 33 Township 9 North - Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21 , 28, 29, 30, 31 , 32 and 33 Township 8 North - Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, 18 19, 20, 21 , 28, 29, 30, 31 , 32, and 33 Township 7 North - Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 18, Notice of Weal County Public Hipring TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Platte River Authority, a political subdivision of the State of Colorado, intends to acquire a right-of-way along county roads and across private lands in Weld County for the purpose of constructing, operating, and maintaining a proposed electric transmission line from its proposed Rawhide Energy Project (north of Wellington) to a point near Black Hollow Reservoir. Weld County will hold two public hearings regarding the proposed route of said transmission line Weld County Plann,ng Commission Tuesday, April 3, 1979 — 1:30 p.m Count} Commissioners' Hearing Room, RAWHIDE PROJECT— WELD COUNTY 1st Floor Transmission Line Route Alternatives Weld County Centennial Center 915 10th Street i LARIMER WELD Greeley, Colorado COUNTY 'i- COUNTY Board of County Commissioners i _ _ _ Wednesday, April 18, 1979 — 2 00 p m County Commissioners' Hearing Room, EX BUCKEYE Rd.`/sTiNG i Ile 1St 7loor PROPOSED .i ALTERNATE Weld County Centennial Center QS ROUTE �� ROUTES 915 10th Street •f• Gliderport ` •,,t... ROUTES Greeley, Colorado 0 1 i 1 I i • • . • HoInterested landowners and ' members of the puoll° are invited to attend Copies of Platte River's Tans- < < 07 mission Line Siting reports Con- I cerning this line are available for inspection at the following locations • I ° (1) Weld County Department of WELLINGTON ejf `•i I9 Planning Services i Welc County Centennial Center • 96 915 10th Street Gree ey, Colorado COBB 'SI,I3 LAKE 01 (2) Municipal Offices in Wellington OQI 15 and Fort Collins N : ( HOLLOW (3) Platte River Power Authority ----\_, 1!1 tEs Timberline & Ho•setooth Roads i 0 Fort Collins, Colorado n-J-1. V....1 '�\ �— '�` COLO. 14 I I' \ _ , B FORT C'~ I COLLINS � l BY ORDER CF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXIST \\ 230 KV f.5 OF PLATTE RIVER POWER AUTHORITY I i ° i 4 LARIMER _ WELD Albert J. Hamiltoi SCALE.•®S COUNTY T COUNTY General Manager The Greeley Daly Tribune March 19,26,1979 �i wp z+� YN , . Jr, .6- p 4 te y +, 4-7; -, ',„,."' , ,,,„ - ,'''''''''''' ,,,-1,,,, .,g,';4O*.rk-,,:::-'''', - '''r—-''', :'' t r; g � _ - . 5n r*y _ 'I' l .v r+ v` ` iF `' 2@ 7, ., , ,. ..,„‘„,„:„..,, ,, ,.,- ,, ,J A.*'',,, -''''' '''''-'„,;'4,',;---,'.- ' , y s '4—,41,4,,,>v 4:.. '", ,4 •L Jh i�F� Y a1 . t5 y�, _ ,• .4 r Are I - } •i • - ,,,.. 1,- - •,' - - Y- : :-• Z- - -` - - _ _• ' -' ,- ,7/ - 44- ��4/•- ti •'---;--v.—,,':" ,' ' .._sue-i -. ' •try',,_-?1,, --2•_.-,-. -,- _s- _ •' ., n - - - _ ••_ ,._ 7- '''.:-•-- -.RESOLUTION,,.,--7.- _ -- - .. 1�. :,F .7\'--• _ > _�-.•.;- t-''''"-" -7-' ' •-` ---= -=•;: .b.'' - _: _ - '-----i_-'--, _- - RE:=;REGULATING_INSTALLATION_.!OF;OVERHEAD UTILITY_LINES --.:',:•:::;--_-•:.' -: -S- _ •+.' - eF} ---'z,- "`?:G`._7fi.»`-';�Y,,....s-----.t-- ; • 1_ -S.:•= .ys - r, __ •, :ACROSS COUNTY_:BOA_ DS----1--•----.:,::_-:;-.-„,--. .....--' ,.. - •; - __ _;-•_ . }- - =2- _ ` ~, - - �.Js- ', � A6- --t' _-_•..--?M•- is.fY.'-? 2-."'''''''''_ -._:e-..•;..' - _ ^.•.-a" 'r-.".-Ycz_ s_�r ''�_� - __'`-_ _:- '-7--— '- - <'' _--1,,,,:-- _ •°t ilY_ --•••,..:'-'-''',,..:--- ". t_�r•';..sa --:1-..e' a.. - :`!"l-"�•-r- _--s,- . y:•:i -;._7•"-!-..-- e _ _ • -• �" : - . ` ;_,..-:--..----.1"7—:._ �-� •- _ _` ' ,y .".-. 4,-,„..z.•:. -. - .-, :t, _ _ ,ei)'.- t' 'S.'a••••--.'"-....' -- _ u;=- - • _ •`- •' 7 - _ -WHEREAS=-"the Board-of County .Co_mmissioners,` Weld County,•_- - - _-__=•_ - .• .- . Colorado,- has determined that overhead.utility lines in Weld -County are,';b-_- ..- so .structured presently that said utility poles.and./or structures..are ..- •. t .• - located too-close to:existing county road rights-of-way,.and _• _- _.:-..„--.7--:::::,'','_----. ..f,....-'-,,:- • - ,k-' .-,:' n WHEREAS, -the Board-has determined-that it would be in--the best -T. •, ' - -' •- - interest of-the County to have an adequate"and uniform setback governing_.E- -'_ • • • - - - -• the` nstallat_i_on of all poles -oresupport=structures carrying'.over-head s 2 ' •_ -utility lines across county roads. =r=-:4= -n.---•. .. - __:_-_.,•---_-:._-•-•::z..7.-----:-:,, -- _ _ - . _ = -. • : 1VOW, THEREFORE• ,• BE-IT RESOLVED, by the Board of County_. - ~-- ' • 1 Commissioners; -Weld County,'Colorado,--and it hereby directs and:':-:::,,a,,,.-• - • - ; :i orders.ihat:all overhead -utility lines -crossing county roads, ;where'}he=: .�� __ -. - '• - origin or a main route•_of-said;ntility'lines•are not parallel,•to_said county-` '- - - ' _--,•-•_ - _ 'oads, shall.maintain •pole•or support structure setback-_of-at-least- •••__,;,•,�;; �='_= _--_ •• -100 feet in'each-direction from-the centerline=of said countyr-road.• _ s=..-,• --- ---- - .. _-._ ' _- r --= - _ .z;`d ", -A--- :;:rte' - _^ __ _-, - . "t• __ BE_IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that-where the aforementioned pro- ._`= 4 vision•for said pole. or -support-structurte setback-from--a7county road.z-' • _-'-` -,-;_ cannot be met due to terrain features or other,adverse=conditions,`'then-in':= ,`• ' • . -such-event, special written,permission shall be obtained.-from'the Board1 :? of-County Commissioners for each such deviation, -• � = -.ice=- . .• --,.•:•_ -__-..-,-t.• -, • - - - • - The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made and:•" ?= . seconded, adopted by the following vote on the 27th day of December-, --' -"--� = - ' ` 972. �: _ , .--3-a, ?- -s•,,. _ • • ,•i. ' -- . '•a;-. ,_ -: . :_,�•--"---r4."-> ', -BOARD OF COUNTY -COMMISSIONERS' - - - " =`1"' WELD COUNTY, COLORADO - . __ taT_ _. y •!f•�7/ �/-l�4'v/j.'L'[ ^-r,- f_-2 ^•,.r tom• - - ! ,r,• /- - - .• _ ,- •-- - - ; L, /L' ! �! -r.%,.r �� /'��_•�� . ATTEST: - - r : _ - ff'�� _ _ Calark of the Board - • - - I By:Z,r/!,.., -(2�, t., _, -Deputy County Clerk • APP OV AS TO- ORM: - - - ; • . ' _ ," County.Attorney .- •- , .s n --:._.--:.--:„: „-,.--"--,4-z•--- ,•, ----• ^- • • - r'-"• a y_ r -- •.- 'f i..- - 7'. 'K'le t kC f ;T l.' v__ - - 1. a • - ' ";_- i'T._. y . . ` .-st _ -"-P--.-,e,-.4--A ° . a , - - . -' • ' cc: Planning Comm - - y' ' = - Utilities Board - " - ' . -Co•Eng - - . . • 4 ... n ,•., ,,' - _I-- f• } s o e.n PROPOSED i € (`� •OWER PLA T f, 1 • \� i �c a ( h ill I school -. -,:iis . 7 c_c• Slit.Ny(/1 \:$',,,,k'N,::..4-...'4,,..,::,, , r-- o / Ts ,_ i \ e ,/ .74;ititi fr �6 ifir \ j-: , . , ,o L g) , 744 i--7 - \- ,,,,---* ,... ..4..„ ,4,. , ..k„..,„..„,,,,...,..,..,.. .., 41 -4q Ail.i.',..ta F.-- 4 10-7 , .„_ ._, ft..,„ ' , \ .....l ... :,,„„,.: . . . ,„,... . . ' , Land .,. . ..,,,„,‘ . - , MO ' \ 0 i I i I WM 4 V 04 I\ I IF- „......,.. : . - , 'll / rt. / : \ . r- - , \itiE,:-: ��.-: --N- rail Not .1 -- ' . . rr i \ : „ ,,. . ,.,, , ,/' �I Q w4 �n ,.� AL ] ism^\r A'riliT ' 4 aIlt i ( ILy` © I fbilz _ s,, ,, 2 , , ► p ',. ) I. Al I 11: MI 1 MEE 0,,, ,N : .lit', 11 -''''.:' .----A' i) -\\ Supplement RAWH ENERGY PROJECT IDE Transmission Line Siting Platte River Power Authority EDAW inc. Environmental Planning • [ : PLATTE RI %/ LIR. POWER AUTHORI-T Y TIMBERLINE & HORSETOOTH ROADS O FORT COLLINS, COLORADO 80521 Telephone (303) 226-4000 Board of Directors Cable "PLATTRIVER" J D B,Ider ack January 31 , 1979 Stanley R Case Robert L Dekker Jean M Marchand E George Patterson,Jr. Jack E L Russell Harry B Tregent Jerry Trotter General Manager Albert J Hamilton Department of Planning Services 915 10th Street Greeley, Colorado 80631 ATTENTION: Mr. Tom Hahn, Zoning Administrator Dear Tom: As you krow, the EDAW Transmission Line Siting Report and Supplement were prepared before the route we are currently proposing in Weld County was identified. Therefore, no scores for the new preferred Weld County route are included in either report. At our January 3rd meeting, you expressec an interest in the scores for the new route. We therefore have had EDAW calculate the scores for the preferred Weld County Route and they are as shown below: Agriculture 160 Residential & Other Property 8 Public Lands 29 Conflicts with Distribution Lines 6 Visual Prominence From Roads 64.2 Visual Prominence From Houses 34 Disorderly Relationships 131 .4 Wooded & Marshland Habitats 0 Waterfowl Flight Zones 0 The scores for the preferred Weld County route can be compared to the scores for the other Weld County routes by looking at pages 5 & 6 in the "Supplement, Rawhide Energy Project Transmission Line Siting" report. If you have any other questions, please let me know. Sincerely, PLATTE RIVER POWER AUTHORITY i/f/ ilam J. Slimak Director of Engineering /kv Supplement RAWHIDE ENERGY PROJECT Transmission Line Siting Prepared by: EDAW inc . November 1978 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 1 FINDINGS , , , R _ , s , 4 Supplemental Analysis Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Relative Scores for Compliance with Criteria 5 Weighted Scores by Route 6 Regional Visibility Diagram 9 INTRODUCTION The June 1978 Transmission Line Siting Study was restricted to Larimer County. In response to a request from residents living along the Weld-Larimer County line, the Platte River Power Authority asked EDAW inc. to expand its analysis into Weld County. Background The preferred eastern transmission line route identified in the transmission line siting study follows the Larimer- Weld County Line for most of its length. This route, swinging quickly east of the power plant and then south to Platte River ' s Fort Collins-to-Ault line avoids the more popu=ous and intensely cultivated parts of the study area. Weld County alternatives had been excluded from earlier analysis because Platte River wished to have the power plant within Larimer County, and if possible, the ancillary facilities also. Without detailed analysis of alternatives in Weld County, no significant advantage to entering Weld County was apparent. When Weld and Larimer county residents living near the county line suggested that a route further to the east might be preferable to them, Platte River de- cided to analyze this possibility. Analysis Procedure Six alternatives to the proposed county-line route were identified and analyzed. These alternatives were chosen using the same criteria that were used in the study of Larimer County alternatives. (See Rawhide Energy Project Trans- mission Line Siting, PRPA and EDAW, June 12, 1978 , pp. 14 and 15. ) This supplemental analysis uses the identical process used in the previous study. The six Weld County alternatives are compared with the county line route that was proposed in June. The methodology is described in detail in the June report. Only those findings and issues that are unique to this supplemental analysis are included in this report. Alternatives The county line route and six alternatives are shown on the Supplemental Analysis Map. Alternative A: Follows the county line route except for the southernmost four miles where it enters Weld County 1/2 mile and follows the half-section line south to an intersection with Platte River' s Fort Collins-Ault 230kV line. Alternative B: Follows the county line route to the point where the Hayden-Ault 345 kV transmission line crosses into Weld County heading southeast. It then parallels the 345 kV line until it is one mile into Weld County. It then heads directly south for five miles before bending back to the west 1/2 mile to join Alternative A. Alternative C9 - C3 : Follows the county line route to the point where ft almost meets the Hayden-Ault line. There it heads east two miles and runs directly south for twelve miles. It then turns east to join the Fort Collins-Ault 230 kV line. Alternative C2 - C4 : Is the same as C2 - C3 until a point about seven miles north of Black Hollow Reservoir where it makes a diagonal turn to the east for one mile and then heads directly south along the west side 'of the county road to meet the Fort Collins-Ault line. Alternative Cl - C3: Crosses Interstate 25 at a point further forth than the county line route. It leads southeasterly to a point two miles into Weld County where it heads directly south and joins Alternative C2 - C3. Alternative C1 - C4 : Follows the same route as Cl - C3 except tor the lasE eight miles when it heads one mile further east and goes south by Black Hollow Reservoir to the Fort Collins-Ault transmission line. 2 . • �r� •- F �, c•g z CO il J11 ..../.,/a 1 c�45 W a� LL / Greek , �i, �J , co ot+r LLI C SP,m9 ,,. f O G m ,,i Mr ilEa; 1,..\ eT. c . 9. W • ; !: !Io o %; i&- bru, ill iii " •-e::-/ • 5 ellffl411- __.. Z O I_ mm ♦ to p 1 I .— i mile*0 . .wa4lnog .peiolo� . -- �F7 O 1 !� .-s--, I_...,4 . an in E •ffa Y e2 w ., , 0 1 J .rTylti-'14, C 'T-47 al - - talrit*r-4,1447 /It, OC rIII A,. r, _. ._ .,y.,,,:„., ._ ____....,;,, „„...,,,,...,,iv , i Ile A 3 - rr,I.F7- , I.°° ' .-:::::::1-::: ,'..,'._-..._ ::'4' El ..:_,.::::::'e:i..Irtifi.c.ictr.. 1$% _ d u, Wl %r—• — 7 y i1id I c a '/j/ c a� y c c a rn V I. L \ 44: .? Iiirir, i 2 a 3 o. `o 0 .. 1 m a`) vci zi w t s% 9 a. _1U aU) U ccU Z . COJcc a . 400, Iii[72 IIKI • u Z D -J m Y U llIc m8J l 7 O J J LL rn L /g; • - ,, 3.. C C 0 .- - 7, fA �Uf 7 J / £=;a L c « 2 a 7 lC ca -o p c O V W 0 3 3 �' 0 o to cn cc m . • C N c a cwA _ 4.0 S30 aa3 m .N Et.,.- l EE E E E . E m = `'' m EW Ew — ., = „rd. U W O LIE 2 2 2 Q U +�+ O m �`+ > fn lc9 a. �. a OcnU cc CO O.O. i a0 r---' o O4-,‘ . � I i7 FINDINGS All transmission line route alternatives were tested against nine criteria. Two which would minimize impacts on water- fowl flight zones and wooded or marshland habitat are complied with perfectly by the county line route and the Weld County alternatives. Therefore, this analysis con- centrates on the seven other criteria: o Minimize disruption to agricultural operations and potential. o Minimize disruption to and relocation of residential and business property. o Minimize disturbance to public lands, public facilities and cultural resources. o Minimize prominent views of the line from roads . o Minimize prominent views of the line from houses . o Avoid conflicts with existing electrical distribution lines . o Minimize conflicting visual relationships with other structures or disorderly variations in the transmission line itself. The key differences between the county line route and the six alternatives are the effects on agriculture and residences. One or more Weld County alternative complies better with each of the last six of the above criteria than does the county line route. Yet, each Weld County route would have greater impact on agricultural land than the county line route because each passes through or along the edge of more cultivated land. There is no clear choice among Weld County alternatives as to which is better . The tables on the following two pages show the scores for each alternative by criterion. 4 . w cc 0 0 - cn w cn > w cn Z cn W Q w CC O U) cnF- 1 z 0 OO I I- w (1) CCa 0 ! Fa a w O D 2 2 Cl) I cn Z cc o f 0 0 cn z 0 O >- z a cn 0 Z w w W 0 J W cn ~ 0 0 a _ = w U 0 0 = w w J a0 0 Z Q Z Z W J J CC 2 LL*+ cc a a J °� J > >i- 11.1 C } -i z J U a a w O O 4 m ✓ QCD0 O 0 I O1 J *Cr a CC Cm w 0 o ' Cl) co z c°n 0 a _ II w a � a. v > 5 0 3 3 a w = J U , I 0 U Tr 5z I o I I I rt\ a I(1 + 0 ItI IS, I N o cA I a W V LI1L41 + I I +, w co cc Z• O , N o N dam- o U �_ cv J , — + + t I 0 O. ' * I—"-1 1-1 0I — I1 ItI — n cp N 0 O co N I t I! IMI 14-. A w ✓ ' 1 , L_J L_J 0 w o cc E a r - 1 co a 0 m I M p Imp 0 a a LL a I + 4. + 1 L+� 4. V w v a .>. U O co c A Z H U — to cA t. _gl Q J co o co z � 3 w I- 0 I- -7 I- O 0 w ICI o Q m v I WLI.) CO t I H icil a H- - Z r_� r _1 >- Z i W o IllI I III I I II I mw0 z CCU a I • L_J L.J oo-I L__J ImmoimmI Z U) W U) 4 CC z o O i , m O 4 cLw I CO O O a w CC CC Hin W U) Z N CO _ W WO cn _ I w O Z Z Q U) _ = W W J � . ° O _~ Z Z OCW 2 LL CC `5 0 3 cc Q Q U1 cc cc J Ca J } J Z J U a a w , a O 4 LL Z CC n O 0I c- , J 4 ' < , O p cc oc EE U) m z W W c7 W M O U) 1 U) U) O a J LU a cc a o > 5 0l 3 ' 3 4 Q I C . V 0 La iN + d- O h O O V Q N l ' N 10 V co ° ° t. P ° ° v w 0 n + N * o o 0 CC N N W, % cv O 1 CO N o o WSJ ist- h Q co Cn V W I CC So , n ' N `N ,S, O Q' w %V .‘ t c% o Cn 1- M QI LV LIJ> Nti\ Q F- = z } w a O c jW 3 b N 0 a 1 All of the Weld alternatives are superior to the county line route in the minimization of negative effects on residential property and the avoidance of visual prominence from houses. These routes avoid houses lying along the county line near the southern treminus of the line. While each alternative does pass near a few houses, the net effect is to decrease such conflicts when compared to the county line route. Alternative A shows the second lowest increase in agricul- tural impacts over the county line route of any of the al- ternatives. Because it follows the half-section line for five miles, it crosses more fields than the county line route, but is less disruptive to agriculture than most of the routes that go further into Weld County. It and C2 - C3 are the only alternatives that are equal to or better than the county line route according to all other criteria except agriculture. Alternative A' s connection with the existing Platte River 230 kV line is the least visually disruptive of any. Alternative A does, however, pass direcT_ly by the end of a dirt landing strip that would be made inoperable by the transmission line. Alternative B is viewed prominently from few roadways . However, it causes the most visual disorder, having several bends and the lengthiest paralleling of the Bureau of Reclamantions ' s 345 kV line. It is a mediocre or poor scoring alternative under other criteria. Alternative C1 - C3 runs north-south along a section line where there is no county road for most of the distance and where the section line is often ignored in the pattern of cultivation. Therefore, it causes more agricultural dis- ruption than C1 - C4 . Both alternatives entering Weld County along the section of route number C1 are more disruptive to agriculture than the two using C2 because they run diago- nally across dry crop land. C1 - C4 seems to be an attractive alternative because it follows more county road than alternative C, causing less disruption to agriculture. Also, as can be seen in the regional visibility diagram on page 9, it is the route least likely to be noticed on a clear day from Interstate 25 or a prominemt viewpoint around Fort Collins . However, this alternative must pass directly by the Black Hollow Reser- voir, either following a jog in the road, or heading some- what arbitrarily across the tip of the open space west of the reservoir. It passes through the edge of a new sub- division east of the reservoir and connects with the 230 kV line at a point where it will add to the present visual disorder. If C1 - C4 is chosen as the route, careful attention must be given to the treatment of the line where it crosses east of the Black Hollow Reservoir. 7 . C2 - C4 and C2 - C3 are alternatives to C1 - C4 and C1 - C3 that reduce significantly the impact on agriculture. These alternatives almost join the Hayden-Ault 345 kV line and cross over the ridge at a point very visible from Inter- state 25. This will make the line and the disorderly relationship between the differing tower types more prominent than if the proposed line were to cross the ridge elsewhere. The Regional Visiblity Diagram on page 9 shows the theoretical visibility of alternatives along an east- west line of view. As shown in the study published in June, visual clarity falls off quickly with distance due to dust and moisture in the air. The proposed transmission line poles will be slender and not prominent to a person more than a mile away, unless the• line is silhouetted above a ridge. All of the routes analyzed here could be seen by a distant viewer. The county line route will be readily noticed from Interstate 25 where the transmission route would rise onto the ridge from about 1 1/2 miles. Other alternatives offer decreasing opportunities for regional visibility because of their greater distance from the ridge and other likely viewpoints to the west. 8 . -4- E co v Co ra ---_) ____� cv ._ v fi P C . 1} ,, CI a11 It N �2 �_3 n iu 2_) :a ._ ~ i I .N 11 o �� z nip t � 2 al o C 8 w - ,� � — ) .O cn 0 o O 0 v 11 cc s w v ) t it 7.- _It ! 1 ) 4_ tt_ , ,,_ ) . ) 6 0 I 1_. na J - %N -----7---i ki r 2-----) ------)) o t <---P* ) $ 1 > - ,. MI .0 0 1 N1 _I ; z1 -)-- 4 4 )-- L a I ) 1_ ) p 40, (a, tt 3 J ATTENDANCE RECORD APPLICANT : PLATTE RIVER P THORITY TIME : .M. DOCKET#79-11 DATE : April 18, 1979 REQUEST : pecial Use Permit NAME i ADDRESS IllAt5e440016 J w ewe. .3/4-t to e,A te. eel Atii, 1 n ' P4'/Tie% Ro.rvp57,-,,the-rket #0.0741 -7b twit Writ /64 1 A'` 6 A/1 4.4� cm; CAS P WM° hl� Lk.' 1$ II ✓` / .;/ I I'l i 4 ,,- 1"----- i ) �;7///,�I L „, /Tt1>r)a7/Z/ v // .-/ /1, /„„ ( 4)( //'(� ,(,,,1),' - i ?I:J? 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