Grand Coulee's Third Powerplant 500-Kilovolt Transmission Line Replacement Project
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BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION Grand Coulee's Third Powerplant 500-kilovolt Transmission Line Replacement Project Preliminary Environmental Assessment May 2011 DOE/EA-1679 Grand Coulee’s Third Powerplant 500-kV Line Replacement Project Summary and Synthesis Agency Proposing Action. U.S. Bureau of Reclamation the dam and continue over the Visitor’s Center and State is the lead NEPA agency. The Bonneville Power Route 155, where they would meet three, 300-foot tall Administration is assisting Reclamation through project towers. Lines would continue up an undeveloped hillside design, environmental review and construction, if the to a second set of three towers to reach the Spreader Yard. Proposed Action is taken. While the revised Proposed Action addresses most concerns regarding tower placement, the project is not Action. Reclamation is proposing to replace the six, 500- without adverse effects, including some that could be kV transmission lines of the Third Powerplant (TPP) at mitigated and some that would be unavoidable, as Grand Coulee Dam. The transmission lines are presently summarized below. installed within the dam and a two-chambered tunnel that leads to a Spreader Yard about a mile away. Specific Adverse Impacts Identified and Mitigation. (1) Due to electrical connections behind the TPP required for Purpose and Need. The TPP’s six generators and overhead transmission lines, the pedestrian tour bridge transmission lines are critical to the regional power supply. would be removed and the viewing balcony used for the Three of the six circuits installed within the dam and tunnel TPP public tour would be closed. A replacement tour are near failure and need to be replaced. In addition, the would provide similar viewing opportunities. (2) Visual entire installation within the dam and tunnel, designed changes from the proposed lines may adversely affect more than 30 years ago, does not meet present–day safety historic values of the TPP and Visitor’s Center. Mitigation and reliability standards. The interior installation needs to may be provided through a Memorandum of Agreement be either completely redesigned and rebuilt or replaced (MOA). (3) Removing existing towers from the Visitor’s with overhead lines. Center grounds would help offset some of the visual Original Proposal and Public Comments. Reclamation impacts, including changes to historic character (4) presented an initial plan to the public in 2009 proposing Proposed lines could still interfere with a portion of the overhead lines and towers generally using the same path laser show, but this could be mitigated by a laser show as existing backup lines and towers. Several members of replacement using more advanced equipment. (5) Erosion the local community were concerned that the proposed and storm water on steep slopes could be managed by towers would block the popular laser light show shown at design-level plans, (6) impacts on bald and golden eagle the dam, eliminate the public tour, and remove space on and other migratory birds could be managed and reduced the Visitor’s Center grounds needed for the annual Festival through monitoring and adaptive management conducted of America; an event that draws thousands of visitors each under an Avian Protection Plan. Independence Day, and that is important to the local Unavoidable Adverse Impacts. (1) While a revised public economy. Other public concerns included electric and tour would be provided, removal of the tour bridge and magnetic fields (EMF), loss of value for properties within closure of this portion of the tour cannot be avoided. (2) sight of the lines and towers. Visual changes would also be unavoidable. Lines and Revised Proposal. Reclamation responded to public towers would become part of the Grand Coulee Dam comments with a revised Proposed Action (Preferred viewscape. Visitor response to lines and towers is Alternative) that would span the Visitor’s Center, rather expected to be mixed, but overall neutral in terms of than placing towers on the lower Visitor’s Center grounds. experience and enjoyment. Visual changes are not likely Proposed lines would cross over the Columbia River below to change visitor numbers, (3) Some loss in bald eagle wintering and osprey foraging habitat may be unavoidable. (4) Some avian mortality from striking lines may be unavoidable. TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents Chapter 1 Need and Purpose for Action ................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Background .................................................................................................................. 1-1 1.2 Need for Action ............................................................................................................ 1-4 1.3 Purposes ....................................................................................................................... 1-5 1.4 Cooperating Agencies .................................................................................................. 1-6 1.5 Public Involvement and Significant Issues .................................................................. 1-6 1.6 Issues to be Resolved ................................................................................................... 1-7 1.6.1 Key Issue 1 – Laser Light Show ....................................................................... 1-7 1.6.2 Key Issue 2 – Public Tour ................................................................................. 1-8 1.6.3 Key Issue 3 – Public Safety .............................................................................. 1-8 1.6.4 Key Issue 4 – Visual Changes .......................................................................... 1-8 1.6.5 Key Issue 5 – Visitor’s Center Grounds ........................................................... 1-8 1.6.6 Key Issue 6 – Tourism and Economy ............................................................... 1-8 1.7 Organization of this EA ................................................................................................ 1-8 Chapter 2 Proposed Action and Alternatives ........................................................................... 2-1 2.1 Proposed Action ........................................................................................................... 2-1 2.1.1 Overview ........................................................................................................... 2-1 2.1.2 Proposed Action Alternatives ........................................................................... 2-1 2.2 Overhead Alternatives .................................................................................................. 2-2 2.2.1 Alternative 1...................................................................................................... 2-2 2.2.2 Alternative 2 (Preferred Alternative) ................................................................ 2-2 2.2.3 Alternative 3...................................................................................................... 2-2 2.2.4 Alternative 4...................................................................................................... 2-3 2.3 Underground Alternative .............................................................................................. 2-8 2.3.1 Alternative 5 (Rebuild Alternative) .................................................................. 2-8 2.4 No Action Alternative .................................................................................................. 2-8 2.5 Alternatives Considered But Eliminated From Detailed Study ................................... 2-8 2.5.1 Behind the Dam ................................................................................................ 2-8 2.5.2 Downriver ......................................................................................................... 2-9 2.6 Comparison of Alternatives ......................................................................................... 2-9 Chapter 3 Affected Environments, Environmental Consequences, and Mitigation Measures 3-1 Preliminary Environmental Assessment—May 2011 i TABLE OF CONTENTS 3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 3-1 3.2 Vegetation .................................................................................................................... 3-2 3.2.1 Affected Environment ....................................................................................... 3-2 3.2.2 Environmental Consequences – Preferred Alternative ..................................... 3-8 3.2.3 Mitigation Measures ......................................................................................... 3-9 3.2.4 Unavoidable Impacts Remaining After Mitigation ......................................... 3-10 3.2.5 Cumulative Impacts ........................................................................................ 3-10 3.2.6 Environmental Consequences – Alternatives ................................................. 3-10 3.3 Fish and Wildlife ........................................................................................................ 3-12 3.3.1 Affected Environment ..................................................................................... 3-12 3.3.2 Environmental Consequences – Preferred Alternative ................................... 3-22 3.3.3 Mitigation Measures ......................................................................................