ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT MALVERN 500 kV TRANSMISSION LINE AND ETTA SUBSTATION PROJECT ' .kz &b',,Q c cc
Submitted by
Entergy Arkansas, Inc. 425 West Capitol Little Rock, AR 72203
April 2001
Prepared by
FTN Associates, Ltd. 3 Innwood Circle, Suite 220 Little Rock, AR 7221 1 April 24,2001
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The goal of the Malvern Transmission Line and ETTA Substation Environmental Impact Study (EIS) was to locate a new transmission line corridor and substation that would be of minimum environmental impact and economically reasonable and feasible. The proposed transmission line corridor will include construction of a new 500 kV line segment from the existing Hot Springs to McNeil500 kV line by cutting the existing line and extending both ends into a new ETTA 500 kV substation at the Duke Energy Hot Springs, LLC (DEHS) electric power generating plant. The new 500 kV line segment will consist of approximately 4,000 feet into the new ETTA Substation and approximately 4,000 feet back out to the existing 500 kV line. The two 4,000 feet line segments will be in close proximity to one another and will generally parallel one another for the entire route. The route traverses approximately 0.75 mile from the existing 500 kV line to the substation. All but approximately 0.15 mile of the proposed transmission line will traverse an existing pine plantation. The remainder crosses disturbed terrain, i. e., road, railroad, and existing 500 kV transmission line ROW. Construction features will include up to eight towers and approximately 67,000 linear feet of 3 triple bundle 954 kcmil ACRS “Rail” conductors and approximately 14,000 linear feet of Alcoa 7 No. 7 Alumoweld shield wires. The proposed transmission line corridor is located approximately 4.5 miles southwest of Malvern in Hot Spring County, Arkansas (Figure 1.1). Total length of the study area is approximately 0.75 mile. To accomplish preparation of the EIS, a study team of environmental specialists and engineers was utilized. Existing data from Federal, State and local agencies, as well as other available sources, were assembled. Because of limitations placed on the project by locations of the DEHS power plant now under construction and the existing 500 kV transmission line to be connected by the two proposed 500 kV transmission lines, the project has a limited number of practicable alternatives. Those construction alternatives were evaluated for environmental factors. The total cost for the ETTA 500 kV Substation is approximately $10.6 million. Total cost for the Hot Springs - McNeil500 kV transmission line cut-in project is approximately
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$2.8 million. The overall project will have an in-service date of late 2001. This EIS details the steps of evaluating environmental issues associated with the proposed project.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 .0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ...... 1 .1 1.1 Introduction...... 1-1 1.2 Project Need ...... 1-3 1.3 Route Description ...... 1-3 1.4 Description of Project Components ...... 1-3 1.5 Typical Construction Procedures ...... 1-5 1.5.1 Surveying ...... 1-5 1.5.2 Clearing...... 1-5 1.5.3 Storage Yards ...... 1-8 1 S.4 Foundation Installation ...... 1-8 1.5.5 Structure Assembly ...... 1-9 1.5.6 Structure Erection ...... 1-9 1S.7 Conductor Installation...... 1-9 2.0 ALTERNATIVES ...... 2. 1 2.1 No Action ...... 2-1 2.1.1 Underground Construction Alternative...... 2-1 2.2 Overhead Construction Alternative ...... 2-2 3.0 DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING ENVIRONMENT...... 3-1 3.1 Climate...... 3-1 3 -2 Air Quality ...... 3-1 3.3 Physiography...... 3-3 3.3.1 Topography ...... 3-3 3.3.2 Geology ...... 3-3 3.3.3 Soils ...... 3-4 3.4 Hydrology ...... 3-4 3.4.1 Water Courses and Surface Waters...... 3-4 3.4.2 Ground Water...... 3-4 3.4.3 Water Quality ...... 3-5
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED)
3.4.4 Wetlands ...... 3-5 3.5 Terrestrial Ecosystem...... 3-5 3.5.1 Vegetation ...... 3-5 3.5.2 Wildlife ...... 3-6 3.5.3 Protected Species ...... 3-7 3.6 Land Use ...... 3-8 3.6.1 Agriculture and Forestry ...... 3-8 3.6.2 Residential...... 3-11 3.6.3 Commercial and Industrial...... 3-11 3.6.4 Recreation ...... 3-11 3.6.5 Transportation...... 3-12 3.7 Socioeconomics ...... 3-12 3.7.1 Population ...... 3-12 3.7.2 Employment and Income ...... 3-12 3.8 Cultural Resources ...... 3-13 3.8.1 Historical Background ...... 3-13 3.9 Aesthetics ...... 3-14 3.10 Electrical Characteristics ...... 3-15 4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ...... 4-1 4.1 Impact on Natural Resources ...... 4-1 4.1.1 Geology ...... 4-1 4.1.2 Soils ...... 4-1 4.1.3 Hydrology and Surface Water ...... 4-1 4.1.4 Ground water ...... 4-1 4.1.5 Aquatic Ecosystems ...... 4-2 4.1.6 Terrestrial Ecosystems ...... 4-2 4.2 Impacts on Human Resources...... 4-3 .. 4.2.1 Existing Land Use ...... 4-3 April 24. 2001
TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED)
4.2.2 Relocations...... 4-5 4.2.3 Proposed Land Use ...... 4-5 4.2.4 Population ...... 4-5 4.2.5 Employment and Income ...... 4-5 4.2.6 Visual Impacts ...... 4-6 4.2.7 Environmental Justice ...... 4-6 4.2.8 Cultural Resources ...... 4-7 4.3 Electrical Environmental Effects ...... 4-7 4.3.1 Ozone Production...... 4-7 4.3.2 Audible Noise ...... 4-7 4.3.3 Radio Interference ...... 4-8 4.3.4 Television Interference ...... 4-8 4.3.5 Electric and Magnetic Field Strengths...... 4-8 4.3.6 Induced Currents ...... 4-8 4.3.7 Electromagnetic Induction ...... 4-8 4.4 Beneficial Environmental Effects ...... 4-9 5.0 UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ...... 5-1 5.1 Natural Resources ...... 5-1 5.2 Human Resources ...... 5-2 6.0 IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE COMMITMENT OF RESOURCES ...... 6-1 7.0 AGENCY CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION ...... 7-1 8.0 REFERENCES ...... 8-1
LIST OF APPENDICES
APPENDIX A: Wetlands APPENDIX B: Correspondence
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 3.1 Select list of terrestrial plant and animal species of federal and state concern for Garland and Hot Spring Counties ...... 3-9
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1.1 Project area, location map ...... 1-2 Figure 1.2 Drawing of project area ...... 1-4 Figure 1.3 H-Frame Tower ...... 1-6 Figure 1.4 Lattice Tower ...... 1-7 ADA 24,2001
1.O PROJECT DESCRI PTION
1.1 Introduction Entergy retained FTN Associates, Ltd. (FTN) of Little Rock, Arkansas to evaluate a proposed corridor for a new 500 kilovolt (kV) transmission line and substation to be constructed in Hot Spring County, Arkansas (Figure 1.1). A new 500 kV line segment will be constructed fiom the existing Hot Springs to McNeil500 kV line by cutting the existing line and extending both ends into a new ETTA 500kV substation at the Duke Energy Hot Springs, LLC (DEHS) power plant and ancillary facilities, which is now under construction. The new 500 kV line segment will consist of approximately 4,000 feet into the new ETTA Substation and approximately 4,000 feet back out to the existing 500kV line. These two 4,000 feet line segments will be in close proximity to each other and will generally parallel one another for the entire route. The study team’s task was to site these facilities with minimal environmental impact and with consideration for project costs. The following study was prepared in accordance with and has been designed to meet the requirements of Arkansas Statutes Annotated Sections 73-276 - 276.18 (Suppl. 1975), as amended through Act 866 of 1977, titled “Utility Facility Environmental and Economic Protection Act.” Section 73-276.3(a) states that “No person shall hereafter commence to construct a major utility facility in the State, . . . without first having obtained a certificate of environmental compatibility and public need . . . issued with respect to such facility by the Commission.” Included in the category of “major utility facility” is “. . . an electric transmission line and associated facilities, including substations, of a design voltage of one hundred (100) kilovolts or more, extending a distance of more than 10 miles, or of one hundred seventy (1 70) kilovolts or more, extending a distance of more than one mile” (Arkansas Statutes Annotated Section 73-276.3(b)2). The proposed project has two lines of 500 kV capacity and is approximately 0.75 mile in length. In accordance with the information required for a “. . . certificate of environmental compatibility and public need” under Section 73-276.4, the following study includes a description of the existing environment (Section 1.O), a discussion of alternatives to the proposed
1-1 Figure 1.1. Project area location map. 1-2 April 24,2001 action (Section 2.0), a discussion of the environmental impacts of the Preferred Route (Section 3 .O), unavoidable adverse environmental effects (Section 4.0), and irreversible and irretrievable commitment of resources (Section 5.0).
1.2 Project Need The transmission line project will connect to the new ETTA Substation, which services a nearby gas-fired power generating facility. The power facility is being constructed by DEHS and is not a part of this submittal. The transmission line and substation are addressed by this report.
1.3 Route Description The proposed ETTA Substation is located on the east side of the Union Pacific rail line and immediately west of the DEHS power generating facility now under construction (Figure 1.2). The substation consists of approximately 4 acres and the proposed transmission line corridor is located on the west side of the Union Pacific rail line, just west of the ETTA Substation, and the transmission lines will cross the railroad tracks to connect with the ETTA Substation. The proposed transmission line corridor has a width of 320 feet and extends for a distance of approximately 0.75 mile before coming into contact with the right of way (ROW) of an existing 500 kV transmission line. Approximately 0.60 mile of the proposed route traverses an immature pine plantation.
1.4 Description of Project Components The project will consist of two 500 kV transmission lines, which will be connected directly to an existing 500 kV line that adjoins the western boundary of the study area (Figure 1.2). The new line segment will consist of a cut in from the existing Hot Springs to El Dorado EHV transmission lines to the new ETTA Substation, and a return loop to the existing line. This cut in will be constructed with up to eight towers and approximately 67,000 linear feet of 3 triple bundle 954 kcmil ACSR “Rail” conductors and approximately 14,000 linear feet of Alcoa 7 No. 7 Alumoweld shield wires. 5WKV TRANSMISSION LJNE
SEC 12
STUDY AREA
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Figure 1.2. Drawing of project area. April 24,2001
The eight towers projected for the construction will consist of two types, i. e., four tangent 500 kV H-frame towers and four 500 kV lattice frame towers. Figures 1.3 and 1.4 illustrate typical tower design.
1.5 Typical Construction Procedures Contractors will conduct construction of the transmission facilities and foundations, as well as ROW clearing. Installation of the proposed transmission line will be conducted through an orderly sequence of construction activities. These sequential operations will include surveying, clearing, foundation installation, structure erection, conductor installation, and site cleanup. The described construction practices are designed to minimize permanent impacts to the site. The applicant has carefully selected construction techniques and equipment for minimal soil disturbance. When construction is completed, work areas will be cleaned up and reseeded as appropriate.
1S.1 Surveying The initial activity is a survey of the proposed corridor. The survey &ill establish the centerlines and ROW boundaries. Establishment of the centerline will involve cutting of immature pine trees for line of sight staking, profiling, and distance measuring. No new access roads will be established for surveying, because existing access will be utilized. Little environmental impact is anticipated during surveying activities.
1S.2 Clearing Clearing will involve both selective clearing and clear cutting. During clearing operations, certain vegetation of a low height will be marked for retention on selected ROW segments to provide soil erosion protection. Permanent soil erosion prevention measures will be implemented during the final cleanup operation. Disposal of debris produced by clearing will be accomplished by controlled burning, complete disposal, mulching, or windrowing. Existing roads will be utilized in the clearing operations wherever possible. Grade and alignment of any
1-5 30'-0' I
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Figure 1.3. H-Frame Tower. 1-6 TYPICAL DFAD FND LATTlCF TOWFR
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Figure 1.4. Lattice Tower. 1-7 April 24,2001 new access roads will follow existing contours, and any required fill for temporary access will be removed following construction to restore original contours. The described construction practices are designed to minimize permanent impacts to the site. Mechanized clearing will be used to remove all woody vegetation approximately one-half foot above the soil line. All woody plant material will be burned or disposed of outside the project area. The stumps will not be removed, except when required for construction of individual tower footings. Burning will be in accordance with applicable air quality rules and regulations. Regulation 18 of Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), which is dated February 15, 1999, exempts burning of materials associated with land clearing operations (ADEQ 1999).
1.5.3 Storage Yards One or more storage yards will be placed in proximity to the transmission line corridor to minimize transportation time, and these storage yards will serve as construction headquarters. Construction materials will be received, stored, and moved to ROW locations from the storage yards. These storage yards also will serve as sites for equipment storage, service, and maintenance. Some potential exists for fuel andor oil spillage exists at the storage yards, although precautions will be taken to prevent spills and to minimize spillage damage. Storage yards will be restored to pre-construction conditions following project completion.
1S.4 Foundation Installation The four tangent H-frame towers to be erected will be supported on vibratory pilings. There will be minimal excavation, if any, required for placement of foundations for the H-frame towers. Any excess soil remaining from excavation will removed for disposal at offsite nonwetland locations. Four lattice towers will be erected. Each lattice tower typically requires four concrete footings for support, i. e., one footing for each leg. A total of approximately 1,600 square feet of soil will be disturbed by placement of footings for each of the four lattice towers. The total amount of soil to be disturbed from lattice tower construction is approximately
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6,400 square feet (= 0.15 acre). Consequently, the total amount of soil disturbance fiom tower construction, i. e., both H-frame and lattice towers, is approximately 0.15 acre.
IS.5 Structure Assembly Tower assembly involves two phases. A first phase involves transportation of tower members fiom a storage yard to a tower site. This is accomplished with a small crane and a flatbed tractor trailer. A second phase involves assembly of tower sections, i. e., leg sections, body extensions, the bridge section, etc., on the ground. This phase is accomplished with an erection crane and ground personnel.
1S.6 Structure Erection Erection of a tower to completion is accomplished with a crane having a long boom. To prevent bolts from working out due to vibration, all nuts are torqued and locked in place. A full range of four wheel drive and high flotation equipment, i. e., trucks, trailers, cranes, and tractors, will be used in the erection of structures to minimize damage during hauling, structure erection, and stringing of conductors and shield wires.
1.5.7 Conductor Installation Conductor stringing is accomplished with tensioning equipment to keep the conductor from being damaged by contact with the ground or other objects. A pulling line is installed on the towers in stringing blocks from the puller to the tensioner. Reels of conductor are mounted on a reel stand, and the conductor is threaded through the tensioner and attached to the pulling line by a device called a running board. The puller serves to pull the conductor toward it, while the tensioner maintains the proper tension. Conductor installation requires many pieces of equipment to successfully make a conductor pull. Consequently, the intermittent presence of these vehicles on the ROW results in a potential for some damage to the terrain. Care will be taken, however, to minimize this damage.
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2.0 ALTERNATIVES
2.1 No Action Construction of the proposed 500 kV transmission lines is required to transmit electric power that will be generated by the DEHS gas-fired power generating facility, which is now under construction, to an existing 500 kV line. Therefore, the transmission line project serves an important public role through its required relationship with the DEHS power generating facility. Construction of the transmission line is required for completion of the DEHS project. Consequently, Entergy believes that the “No Action” alternative is neither viable nor cost effective. On the basis of information provided in this EIS document, Entergy believes that the proposed transmission line project will have only minimal effects on the environment.
2.1 .I Underground Construction Alternative Underground construction of the proposed transmission line represents an alternative to the traditional overhead construction. Underground placement of transmission lines sometimes provides definite advantages over traditional overhead construction with regard to land use conflicts, ROW availability and acquisition, permitting limitations, and aesthetics. Underground construction has particular value in urban or other settings where acquisition of ROW is not feasible, where aesthetic considerations are of high priority, or where regulation or ordinance prohibits overhead construction. Construction costs associated with underground construction typically are much higher, i.e., five or six times higher, than traditional overhead construction. Consequently, the extremely high cost factors must be weighed against the advantages. This proposed project is located in a remote rural area where there is no limitation to ROW acquisition, and the extremely high construction costs associated with underground construction cannot be justified. Consequently, construction of an underground transmission line is not considered a viable alternative.
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~~ ~~~ 2.2 Overhead Construction Alternative The DEHS power generating facility that is now under construction is located immediately east of the eastern terminus of the proposed line (Figure 1.2). The eastern boundary of the study area for the proposed transmission line is adjacent to the Union Pacific railroad line. The railroad line separates the study area from the DEHS power generating facility site to the east. The proposed overhead construction alternative will include installation of four (4) new 500 kV lattice towers (5E)with concrete foundations plus four (4) tangent, single circuit 2-pole tubular steel structures with concrete foundations. Spacing distance between tower structures will be approximately 1,200 feet. The conductor will be a triple conductor bundle of 954 kcmil ACSR “Rail” and the tangent structures will have V-string insulators. This work includes removal of one of the existing structures. All design and construction will be completed in accordance with current Entergy loading, clearance, and construction criteria.
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3.0 DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING ENVIRONMENT
The following environmental description pertains to the approximately 120-acre study area in Central Arkansas that is shown in Figure 1.1. Legal description of this study area, which is located entirely in Hot Spring County, is Parts of Sections 7 and 18, Township 5 South, Range 17 West and Parts of Sections 12 and 13, Township 5 South, Range 18 West. The study area is mapped on United States Geological Survey (USGS) topographic quadrangles Malvern South and Social Hill (7.5 minute series) (Figure 1.1). The proposed ETTA substation site is located in Part of Section 18, Township 5 South, Range 17 West (Figure 1.1). Within the study area, various factors were identified, described, and inventoried during the environmental evaluation process. The following sections describe the natural and human resources of the study area.
3.1 Climate The study area is characterized by a climate of long, hot summers and cool and fairly short winters. The winter season potentially has a cold wave of rare occurrence that moderates in one or 2 days. The total annual precipitation is 54 inches, which is distributed fairly well throughout the year. A total of 27 inches, or 50%, usually falls in the period of April through September. The average seasonal snowfall is 3 inches, with an average of at least 1 inch of snow on the ground for an average of 1 day. The average relative humidity in midafternoon is approximately 60%. The sun shines 95% of the time possible in summer and 80% in winter. Severe local storms, including tornadoes, are of occasional occurrence in Hot Spring County. Tropical depressions or hurricane remnants that move inland often cause extremely heavy rains for 1 to 3 days during the summer or autumn (Soil Conservation Service (SCS) 1987).
3.2 Air Quality Air represents a dynamic resource, and air quality fluctuates through time and space. Key air quality concerns that have a potential to impact human health and welfare are concentrations of particulates and gases. Consequently, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has
3-1 AD^ 24.2001 promulgated standards for particulate matter and ozone. These standards, i. e., National Primary and Secondary Air Quality Standards, are included in Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations Part 50. Primary standards are levels of air quality judged necessary to protect the public health, while secondary standards are levels of air quality that are judged necessary to protect the public welfare. Particulate matter includes windblown soil, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets. It also includes fine particles of sulfates, nitrates, and organic compounds that are 2.5 microns or smaller in size. Hot Spring County has “average or above average emissions” compared to the rest of the US (US EPA 1996). Fugitive dust is the greatest emission source, and the second largest source of emissions is from agriculture and forestry practices. Available evidence suggests that nitrogen oxides are a controlling factor in the formation of ground-level ozone throughout rural areas of the South. Studies have shown that the largest contributors of nitrogen oxides in Central Arkansas are related to fuel combustion from industrial sources, motorized vehicles, and electrical utilities. Emissions of human-caused nitrogen oxides are “average or above average” in Hot Spring County in comparison with the remainder of the US (US EPA 1996). EPA has classified certain locations in Arkansas as to air quality attainment status (Title 40, CFR Part 8 1) for planning purposes. Central Arkansas is among areas that have recently violated the 8-hour standard for ozone limits as established by EPA. Areas designated as Class I Areas under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977 are afforded the highest level of protection from air pollutants in the nation. These Class I lands consist of those national wildernesses (Forest Service), parks (National Park Service) and wildlife refuges (US Fish & Wildlife Service) that were in existence at the time the amendment was passed. All other lands in the nation are designated as Class 11. No Class I areas exist in or adjacent to the study area. The nearest Class I area is the Caney Creek Wilderness area, which is located in the Ouachita National Forest at a distance of approximately 90 miles from the study area (USDA Forest Service 1999).
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3.3 Physiography 3.3.1 Topography The study area lies entirely within the West Gulf Coastal Plain section of the Coastal Plain Physiographic Province. Topography within the West Gulf Coastal Plain includes level to rolling bottomlands, terraces, hills, and cuestas (Arkansas Planning Department 1974). Topography within the study area has very little relief.
3.3.2 Geology The study area is located within the floodplain of Black Branch, which is a tributary to the Ouachita River. Surficial deposits in the study area are primarily unconsolidated alluvial sediments of Quaternary, i.e., Holocene, age (SCS 1987; Haley 1993). The study area has a potential to experience effects from any major earthquake that might occur in relation to New Madrid Fault Zone of Southeast Missouri (Atkinson 1989). Seismologists have circulated widely a regional Seismic Zone Map that is predicated on a high potential for future occurrence of a New Madrid Fault Zone earthquake of Richter Magnitude 8. An earthquake of Magnitude 8 would place the study area near the boundary of Intensities VI and VI1 of the Modified Mercalli Scale. In these two zones, damage fiom earthquakes is expected to be relatively minor. Effects fiom Intensity VI generally represent little more than a potential for fallen plaster. Intensity VI1 can result in broken chimneys but otherwise damage to buildings of good design and construction is negligible. Poorly built or badly designed structures, however, can receive considerable damage fiom Intensity VI1 (Louie 2001). Recent studies have suggested, however, that the potential for an earthquake of Richter Magnitude 8 that relates to the New Madrid fault is much lower than once thought (New York Times, Science Section, Tuesday, April 27,1999). No other project constraints that relate to onsite geologic features and conditions have been identified.
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~~~ 3.3.3 Soils The published SCS soil survey for Hot Spring County shows the following two map units in the 120-acre project area: Smithton very fine sandy loam, 0 to 1% slopes and Harleston fine sandy loam, 1 to 3% slopes (SCS 1987). Of these two map units, the Smithton very fine sandy loam, 0 to 1% slopes represents a hydric soil (Natural Resource Conservation Service 2001). The Harleston fine sandy loam, 1 to 3% slopes represents a nonhydric soil, but the map unit has a potential for occurrence of hydric inclusions (Natural Resource Conservation Service 2001). SCS (1 987) describes the Smithton map unit as characterized by deep, poorly drained, level soils on stream terraces and upland flats in the Coastal Plain region. The Smithton map unit is rarely flooded but has slow permeability and a seasonal high water table at a depth of less than 12 inches from December through May (SCS 1987). SCS (1987) describes the Harleston map unit as a moderately well drained, nearly level soil on stream terraces and upland flats in the Coastal Plain. The Harleston soil is rarely flooded and has moderate permeability but has a seasonal high water table at a depth of 24 to 36 inches from November through March (SCS 1987).
3.4 Hydrology 3.4.1 Water Courses and Surface Waters No water courses or other surface water bodies occur within the study area. USGS topographic quadrangle Malvern, ARK indicates that an intermittent unnamed tributary barely enters the study area (Figure 1.1). Field investigations demonstrated, however, that the USGS map is in error, i. e. ,there is no intermittent channel located within the study area.
3.4.2 Ground Water The aquifer beneath the project area is the alluvium of the Quaternary age. The water from this aquifer is soft to modeiately hard and the only treatment needed for industrial purposes is to adjust the pH and removal of the iron. The alluvium, whose total thickness seldom exceeds 35 to 40 feet, is composed principally of silt, some clay, and thin beds of fine to very fine sand (Halberg 1968).
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3.4.3 Water Quality ADEQ regulates water quality standards for surface waters of the State through Regulation No. 2, as amended (Arkansas Department of Pollution Control and Ecology 1998). These water quality standards are based upon present, future and potential uses of the surface waters of the State and developed from statistical evaluations of past water quality conditions and a comprehensive study of the least-disturbed, ecoregion reference streams. An examination of maps included with Regulation No. 2 indicates that there are no extraordinary resource waters, natural and scenic waterways, or ecologically sensitive waterbodies within or in proximity to the study area (Arkansas Department of Pollution Control and Ecology 1998). Water quality from the underlying Quaternary deposits is of good quality and is suitable for most uses with only minimal treatment required. Studies show that water from Quaternary deposits is usually soft and relatively low in mineralization. Water from the alluvium is a soft, bicarbonate-sodium chloride type and has a low dissolved solids content. The iron content of much of the water exceeds the 0.3 ppm standard that is recommended for drinking water by the US Public Health Service (Halberg 1968).
3.4.4 Wetlands The approximately 120-acre study area represents a tract that includes a significant wetland. A few small non-wetland areas occur within the north and northwestern portions of the study area. Remaining portions of the study area are characterized by a mosaic of approximately 80% wetland and 20% non-wetland. A total of approximately 71 acres of wetlands was identified within the overall study area. These wetlands are subject to potential US Army Corps of Engineers jurisdiction under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (Appendix A).
3.5 Terrestrial Ecosystem 3.5.1 Vegetation The entire study area is located on a landscape that was once dominated by plant communities of which bottomland hardwood species were of greatest importance. For many
3-5 Auril24.2001 years, however, this landscape has experienced conversion of the original vegetation cover to pine as a result of normal forestry practices. The study area represents an immature plantation of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). This plantation has not yet been thinned or had its understory removed. Most of the study area supports a dense understory vegetation that is dominated by hydrophytic hardwood species. Field observations indicate that the study area probably represents a sweetgdwillow oak flat that has been converted to a pine plantation. Most of the study area could be characterized by a mosaic of wetland (80%) and non- wetland (20%) plant communities. Loblolly pine is the dominant species within the immature canopy cover. The dense understory vegetation is dominated by saplings of willow oak (Quercus phellos), water oak (Quercus nigra), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), red maple (Acer rubrum), and buttonbush (Cephulanthus occidentulis).Wax myrtle (Myrica cerfera) and blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) represent important species of the shrub layer. Greenbrier (Smilax bona-nox) and Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicerajaponica) represent woody vine species that are present throughout the project area (Appendix A).
3.5.2 Wildlife The study area is located on a floodplain of a tributary to the Ouachita River, and the site probably represents an old river terrace. The study area and its adjacent properties, however, are dominated by pine plantations of varying ages instead of the original vegetation cover that was dominated by sweetgum and hydrophytic oak species. An immature pine plantation provides habitat that is of value for a select group of wildlife species. Consequently, wildlife values of an immature pine plantation are intrinsically low. Moreover, the pine plantation on the study area has an absence of onsite water features, which makes it of even less value to wildlife. The study area has a potential to support several small game wildlife species. The pine plantation, with its thick understory, has a potential to support the Eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus),Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana),raccoon (Procyon lotor), nine-banded
3-6 AD^ 24.2001 armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), and small rodents. Eastern white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) also frequents the area. Although trees of the understory are too small to serve as mast producing trees for food for wildlife, they provide excellent cover. Thick vines also help to provide good cover for whitetail deer, cottontail, opossum, raccoon and other small rodents. Due to the lack of large canopy trees in the project area, its potential to support habitat for a wide diversity of songbird species is limited. The absence of large trees means a lack of habitat for larger birds and those species that require nesting cavities and perches. Fishery habitat is absent from the study area because there are no streams or standing water within the area.
3.5.3 Protected Species A list of all terrestrial and wildlife species having federal listing as threatened or endangered species in Arkansas was examined (US Fish and Wildlife Service 2001). The only federally listed species that was considered to have any potential for occurrence within the study area is American bald eagle (Haliueetus leucocephalus). Field investigations revealed, however, that suitable habitat for American bald eagle is absent from the study area and its surroundings. For both roosting and nest site construction, bald eagle requires large old trees that stand above others on the landscape. There are no large old trees within the project area. Appendix B provides a letter from FWS that provides T&E clearance for the proposed transmission line project. Harperella (Ptilimnium nodosum) is a federally listed plant species that has been found in small streams of the upper Ouachita Basin. Suitable habitat is totally lacking within the project area. A list of species of state concern and occurring within Hot Spring and Garland Counties was examined (Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission (ANHC) 1999). A search was made of appropriate literature to obtain additional habitat information and location records for taxa of state concern on that list. Table 3.1 provides a select list of 36 species of state concern (and also the federally listed bald eagle and harperella) that have been reported from locations in the Ouachita River basin of Hot Spring and Garland counties.
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ANHC tracks element occurrence records, both plant and animal, and assigns rankings to species based on their apparent degree of rarity. ANHC assigns rankings to species that are tracked using a dual system of global rankings and state rankings. ANHC last revised its state list of threatened and endangered species in 1986. ANHC has no enforcement authority and little or no protection is afforded vascular plant species or habitat by the State of Arkansas except for certain state-owned lands, Le., state parks, state-owned natural areas, etc. It has been determined on the basis of the literature review, prior field experience with the organisms in their preferred habitat, and field investigations for this project, that only one of the species of state concern listed in Table 3.1, i.e., Fullicumburus jeunue, possibly has a fairly high potential for occurrence within the study area. Because the project area consists of a combination of immature pine plantation and highly disturbed areas, i.e., road, railroad, and existing 500 kV transmission line ROW,suitable habitat appears to be absent for the remaining 35 native species of state concern listed in Table 3.1. The endemic species of crayfish, Fullicumburusjeunue, is apparently restricted to the Ouachita River basin of Clark, Hot Spring, Montgomery, and Pike counties, Arkansas (Robison 2000). Robison (2000) indicates that this crayfish is a primary burrower that inhabits roadside ditches and low-lying seepage areas in sandy to clay soil. Suitable habitat for the species possibly exists in the project area and surrounding areas.
3.6 LandUse Land use planning activities and requirements are of limited extent in Hot Spring County. Proposed developments in the county are coordinated through the Office of County Judge. There are no zoning restrictions within Hot Spring County except in those areas that fall within a mapped Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) floodplain or floodway. The entire project area lies within a mapped FEMA 100-year floodplain (FEMA 1986).
3.6.1 Agriculture and Forestry Few fmowners in Hot Spring County are fulltime operators, and most have other employment outside the agricultural sector or are retired. Major crops grown in Hot Spring
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Table 3.1. Select list of terrestrial plant and animal species of federal and state concern for Garland and Hot Spring Counties.
Casmerodius albus, Great egret Egretta caerulea, IittIe blue heron Haliaeetus leucocephalus, bald eagle LT ‘aMV G4 Invertebrates Fallicambarus jeanae, a crayfish s2 Reptiles/Amphibians Hemidactylium scutatum, four-toed salamander INV IG5 I s2 Regina septemvittata, queen snake I- IINV IG5
Shinner’s sunflower Liparis loeselii, yellow twayblade - MV s1 Phacelia strictiflora var. robbinsii, a phacelia - INV s1s2 Platanthera cristata, yellow-crested orchid - INV G5 s1s2 Ptilimnium nodosum, harperella LE rNv G2 s2 Rosa foliolosa, white prairie rose - INV G5 s2 Sabatia campanulata, slender marsh pink - SE G5 Sf
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Table 3.1. Continued.
Federal Status Codes LE = Listed Endangered; USFWS has listed these species as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. LT = Listed Threatened; USFWS has listed these species as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
State Status Codes INV = Inventory Element; ANHC currently tracks these elements to determine their status in the state. These elements may include outstanding examples of Naturally Occurring Communities, colonial bird nesting sites, outstanding scenic and geologic features as well as plants and animals which may be rare, peripheral, or of an undetermined status in the state. SE = State Endangered; ANHC applies this term to native taxa which are in danger of being extirpated from the state. ST = State Threatened; ANHC applies this term to native taxa which are believed likely to become endangered in Arkansas in the foreseeable future, based on current inventory information. S1 = Extremely rare. Typically 5 or fewer estimated occurrences in the state, or only a few remaining individuals, may be especially vulnerable to extirpation. S2 = Very rare. Typically between 5 and 20 estimated occurrences or with many individuals in fewer occurrences, often susceptible to becoming extirpated. S3 = Rare to uncommon. Typically between 20 and 100 estimated occurrences, may have fewer occurrences but with large number of individuals in some populations, may be susceptible to large-scale disturbances.
Global Ranking Codes G1 = Critically imperiled globally because of extreme rarity (5 or fewer occurrences or very few remaining individuals or acres) or because of some factor@)making it especially vulnerable to extinction. G2 = Imperiled globally because of rarity (6-20 occurrences or few remaining individuals or acres) or because of some factofls) making it especially vulnerable to extinction. G3 = Either very rare and local throughout its range or found locally in a restricted range or because of other factors making it vulnerable to extinction throughout its range; in terms of occurrences, in the range of 21-100. G4 = Apparently secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery. G5 = Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery. HYJ3 = A taxon of hybrid origin; ANHC tracks certain taxa of hybrid origin but does not assign global rankings to them. 7’-Ranks = T subranks are given to global ranks when a subspecies, variety or race is considered at the state level. The subrank is made up of a “T” plus a number with the same ranking rules as a full species.
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~~ ~ County include soybeans, wheat, and rice. These crops are grown primarily on flood plains along the major rivers and adjoining terraces. Improved pasture and hay land occur throughout the county (SCS 1974). Commercial timber companies produce, harvest, and process large quantities of pine timber in Hot Spring County. Most of the pine production is sold locally to large commercial mills and processed into construction lumber. Some of the pine timber is treated and sold for post and wood fencing. The market for hardwood timber is depressed, but there is some production that is sold locally and sawed into railroad ties, hardwood flooring, pallets, and furniture stock (SCS 1974).
3.6.2 Residential The study area is located within an area of undeveloped tracts. There are no residential properties within the study area or within adjacent tracts. The nearest residence is located on Lower Etta Road and east of Missouri Pacific railroad at a distance of approximately 0.5 mile from the southern boundary of the study area.
3.6.3 Commercial and Industrial The study area is adjacent to a property that is currently under construction as a gas-fired power generating facility. The nearest other commercial or industrial properties are located along Highway 67 from Malvern to Central, at distances of approximately 1 to 4 miles from the east boundary of the study area.
3.6.4 Recreation The Malvern Country Club is located near Malvern just off Arkansas Highway 9. The Country Club offers an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, swimming pool, and a club house. Two public parks are located within Malvern city limits and offer playground areas, picnic areas, tennis courts, and other outdoor facilities. Also, the Boys and Girls Club offers many programs for area youth. Baseball fields are available for leagues serving sports populations ranging from children’s t-ball groups to adult men’s and women’s softball teams.
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Hot Spring County offers an abundance of wooded and open areas that support deer, rabbit, turkey, squirrel, quail, and duck populations. Hunting of these wildlife populations is one of the most popular of all outdoor sports in the area. Also, the Ouachita River provides one of the state’s finest waters for fishing and floating. Lake Catherine State Park and DeGray State Park provide facilities for area fishermen, water sports enthusiasts, and campers. Both parks provide excellent fishing opportunities, and both have excellent lodging facilities, marinas, and beautiful wooded settings for camping, picnicking, hiking, and boating activities.
3.6.5 Transportation Interstate 30, US Highways 270 and 67, and Arkansas Highways 9,4, and 17 1 all serve the Malvern area. South Central Arkansas Transit (SCAT) offers an intra-city service, and Greyhound offers commercial service. Arkansas Midland Railroad offers short-line service, and Amtrak runs east and west on a daily basis. The nearest Amtrak station is located at Malvern. The City of Malvern maintains a 3,200 ft paved airport with lighted NDB approach and 100 LL runway capable of handling small business aircraft.
3.7 Socioeconomics 3.7.1 Population Population in Hot Spring County grew approximately 23% from 1960 to 1980 and then declined about 3% from 1980 to 1990. Estimates by the US Census Bureau indicate that the 1997 population of Hot Spring County grew 9.4% from 1990 to 1997 to 28,564 people. The 1980 population of Malvern was 10,163, and the 1990 population was 9,256 (US Census Bureau 1980 and 1990).
3.7.2 Employment and Income Information regarding employment and income is not yet available for the 2000 census. The following information is derived from the 1990 census data for Hot Spring County. April 24,2001
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The total number of persons 16 years and over living in Hot Spring County in 1990 was 20,124. A total of 11,284 persons was in the labor force, which accounts for a percent in the labor force of 56.1 %. The percent of unemployment in Hot Spring County for 1990 is 8.7% (University of Arkansas at Little Rock 200 1a). The total number of households in Hot Spring County in 1990 was 10,148. Median household income was $19,355 and mean household income was $23,290. The total number of families was 7,683. Median family income was $22,546 and mean family was $26,730 (University of Arkansas at Little Rock 2001b). The total number of persons having below poverty status in Hot Spring County in 1990 was 4,792, which represented 18.6%. The total number of families having below poverty status was 1,208, which represented 15.7% (University of Arkansas at Little Rock 2001~).
3.8 Cultural Resources A search of cultural resources records that are pertinent to the study area is currently being conducted by Historic Preservation Associates, of Fayetteville, Arkansas under contract to Entergy. That work will result in a summary of the prehistoric and historic events and resources having relevance to the study area. Upon completion, results of that search will be submitted to Arkansas Public Service Commission (APSC) as a supplement to this EIS documentation.
3.8.1 Historical Background The Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto, who entered present-day Arkansas in 1541, is the first recorded European explorer to visit the Hot Spring County area. He possibly visited the vicinity of the study area at that time, because records from his expedition indicate that he spent some time exploring the vicinity of Hot Springs and the Ouachita River. French explorers began to penetrate the region in the 1600s, and LaSalle claimed the region for France in 1682 (Goodspeed 1889). Arkansas Territory was established in 18 19, at which time the territory was sparsely populated. Settlers soon began to stream into Arkansas and settled along the major navigable streams. Of the few communities that existed at the establishment of Arkansas Territory, most
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__~~ were located on the state’s major waterways. Benton and Hot Springs, which were on the Saline and Ouachita Rivers, respectively, were both located on the Southwest Trail, which ran from St. Genevieve, Missouri through Little Rock and Rockport and further southwest into Louisiana. Hot Spring County, which at its establishment included present-day Garland County, was established in 1829 and its courthouse was located at Hot Springs. In 1836, Arkansas applied for statehood and was admitted as the 25~state in the Union. Settlers to the Malvern area first arrived in large numbers in approximately 1850. Most of the early settlers to the area came primarily from the southeastern states, i e., the Carolinas, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. Malvern was founded in 1870, and the county seat was moved there in 1878 (Goodspeed 1889).
3.9 Aesthetics Aesthetic resources, as here defined, are essentially equivalent to visual resources. Visual resources consist of the natural and manmade features that give a particular environment its perceived aesthetic qualities. Such features as landforms, water surfaces, vegetation, and manmade features are all considered characteristic of an area if they are inherent to the formation, structure, and function of the landscape. The character of the landscape is evaluated to determine whether a proposed project has potential compatibility with an existing setting or whether it would appear out of place with the setting. Visual resources also have a social setting, which relates to public goals, values, awareness, and general concern regarding visual quality. This social setting typically is addressed as visual sensitivity, or the relative degree of public interest in visual resources and concern over adverse changes in the quality of that resource. Visual sensitivity is important in determining how important an effect on the visual resource would be and whether it represents a significant impact. Recreational and residential uses, for example, are generally considered to have high visual sensitivity, as are views from scenic routes or corridors. By comparison, industrial uses are generally considered to have low visual sensitivity. The study area is located within a highly disturbed landscape, i. e., an area of intense management for commercial pine timber production. Moreover, the study area is adjacent to a
3-14 railroad and soon to be adjacent to a gas-fired power generating facility. The area is largely devoid of resources that have high visual quality. In summary, the study area is not considered to include aesthetic resources of high quality because it does not support:
0 natural features that create a landscape of high visual or aesthetic quality;
0 manmade features that create a landscape of high visual or aesthetic quality;
0 areas designatedrecognized for recreational activities that are dependent upon the visual or aesthetic quality of the surrounding landscape; and
0 sites of historic and/or archaeological significance that require the integrity of an undisturbed surrounding visual environment.
3.1 0 Electrical Characteristics Entergy is committed to programs and policies that ensure a safe and healthy environment for their employees and the general public. This section discusses the electrical characteristics of transmission lines and possible relationships to public health and safety. The electrical characteristics of transmission lines that are of potential environmental concern are those that relate to electric and magnetic fields (EMF) associated with voltage and current running through the conductors. An electric field is associated with voltage, and a magnetic field is associated with current. Current and voltage of alternating current (AC) transmission lines in the United States oscillate at a frequency of 60 Hertz (HZ)or 60 cycles per second. Consequently, the electric and magnetic fields also oscillate at 60 Hz. EMF extend outward from transmission line conductors. EMF decreases as distance from the transmission lines increases. The relative strength of EMF is influenced by numerous factors, including voltage and current on the line, location on the ROW, and arrangement and spacing of the electrical conductors. The electric field at the surface of the conductors results in an effect that is referred to as “corona”. Corona is the electrical breakdown of air into charged particles, and it has a potential to be detected in the form of audible noise (AN), radio or television interference (RIKVI), and
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~ visible light. Corona-generated noise typically is characterized as crackling, hissing, or a humming noise, and it is most evident during rain or fog.
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4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
4.1 Impact on Natural Resources 4.1 .I Geology No impacts to geologic features have been identified.
4.1.2 Soils The proposed project will result in ground disturbing activities during ROW preparation, which will expose soils to potential erosion. During construction, minor amounts of fugitive dust of short-term duration may result from movement of construction equipment along the ROW. Soils at some locations will become compacted as a result of movement of construction vehicles and other equipment. As a result of soil compaction, there is a potential for increased runoff. The impacted areas are expected to be of minor extent, however, and the overall effect on the environment will be minimal. Transmission line operation and maintenance will not adversely affect soils in the ROW.
4.1.3 Hydrology and Surface Water There are no water courses or other surface waters within the study area. For that reason, the proposed project will not impact hydrology or surface waters.
4.1.4 Ground water There should be no deleterious effects on ground water from the proposed transmission line. The absence of water courses or other surface water bodies within the study area, severely limits any potential for the area to serve as a groundwater recharge area. Moreover, tower construction will remove only a minor portion of the total area available for ground water recharge if it were to occur.
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4.1.5 Aquatic Ecosystems There are no aquatic ecosystems within the study area. Moreover, there are no aquatic ecosystems close enough to the study area to receive impacts from the proposed project.
4.1.6 Terrestrial Ecosystems Impacts to terrestrial ecosystems will be minor in extent. These impacts for the most part are limited to conversion of a pine plantation to a vegetation cover dominated by herbaceous species. Existing vegetation cover will suffer mechanical damage and the overall site will receive compaction from heavy construction equipment. Following completion of construction, any bare areas will be reseeded, and maintenance activities to the ROW during the life of the transmission lines will prevent reestablishment of tree species. Impacts to wildlife during construction, as well as operation, will relate primarily to conversion of the immature pine plantation to a herbaceous vegetation cover. The primary change in wildlife species occurrence that will occur probably relates to bird life. There probably will be an increase in utilization of the area by bird species that prefer herbaceous vegetation and a decrease in those that are associated with immature pine forest habitat. Impacts associated with operation will consist primarily in the form of bird collisions with conductors, guywires, and towers. These collisions, which primarily occur during seasonal migration and during bad weather, are largely unavoidable. Tower configuration and conductor spacing for the proposed transmission line corridor should result in minimal danger to raptors of the area (Thompson 1978). The completed transmission line will remain suitable for most of the same small mammals having a pre-construction potential for occurrence in the study area. The herbaceous vegetation cover probably will be of greater benefit to white-tailed deer population of the area than the existing immature pine stand. No impacts to threatened and endangered species are anticipated.
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4.2 Impacts on Human Resources 4.2.1 Existing Land Use An existing railroad track and 500 kV main line are adjacent to the eastern and western boundaries of the study area, respectively, and have been in place for a number of years. The study area itself has been managed as a commercial pine plantation over a period of many years. There would be essentially no new longterm effects on existing land uses to the environment in which the study area is located. The primary impact to existing land uses would be disturbance of existing vegetation at structure construction locations and from construction of temporary access roads. Construction of the proposed project would result in several short-term effects as a result primarily of construction. Minor short-term effects on air quality will occur as a result of transmission line construction, primarily as a result of emissions from construction vehicles and fugitive dust from construction activities. Minor effects on air quality will relate primarily to emissions from construction vehicles. Noise generated during construction activities will be of short-term duration, and noise generated from operation of the transmission lines will not be perceptible to the average person standing near or under the lines. Any increases in traffic during construction and during operation of the project will be minor in extent due to the small number of individuals involved. Disturbed areas will be reseeded and restored to original elevation contours.
4.2.1 .I Residential There are no residential properties within the project area or its immediate surroundings. For that reason, there will be no impacts from the project on residential properties.
4.2.1.2 Commercial and lndus trial There are no existing commercial or industrial properties within the project area or its immediate surroundings. The nearest industrial property is the DEHS gas-fired power generating facility that is now under construction. Because the proposed project will serve a key role as the April 24,2001
link between the facility and an existing 500 kV transmission line, the project will have no adverse impacts on the industrial property occupied by the power plant facility.
4.2.1.3 Recreation No significant impacts are expected to occur to recreation areas or activities in the study area. There are no parks or other recreational facilities within the study area or its surroundings. The study area possibly provides limited hunting, i.e., possibly for rabbits or quail, for local residents but the quality of that hunting would be marginal. Deer hunting may increase dong the ROW corridor in response to habitat improvement. There is no fishery within the study area. No other recreational potential for study area has been identified. Consequently, the proposed project will have no adverse impacts on recreation.
4.2.1.4 Agriculture and Forestry The study area is not under agricultural production. Consequently, there will be no impacts on agricultural resources. The study area currently supports an immature loblolly pine plantation. Design criteria of the proposed transmission line will eliminate commercial forestry operations within the 32O-foot ROW. Consequently, the proposed project will have an adverse impact on future timber production within approximately 30 acres of the existing pine plantation. Although the impact to commercial forest operations in the ROW will be highly significant, the impact of the proposed transmission line corridor to commercial forestry in the region will be insignificant. The 1995 acreage of commercial forest lands planted to pine in Hot Spring County is approximately 78,000 acres (per Harmon Townsend, Arkansas Forestry Commission).
4.2.1.5 Transportation Faciliti es There are no existing improved roads or other transportation facilities located within the study area. Consequently, the project will not adversely impact any transportation facilities within the study area.
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No commercially navigable watercourses will be crossed. No airports exist within the project area or its surroundings. No impacts to underground pipelines or other transmission lines are anticipated. A pipeline corridor runs parallel to but outside the southern boundary of the proposed transmission line corridor. Also, a waterline will be installed in a north-south direction between the eastern boundary of the study area and Union Pacific railroad and in an east-west direction just outside the southern boundary of the study area. It is not anticipated that trafic to and from the project corridor in association with construction, operation, and maintenance of the proposed transmission line will have an adverse impact on existing transportation facilities within the area. The level of traffic that will be generated will be extremely low and not have a potential for adverse impacts.
4.2.2 Relocations There will be no displacement of residents, businesses, community facilities, or farming operations within the study area.
4.2.3 Proposed Land Use There are no significant impacts to proposed land use. The study area is located in a remote and undeveloped area that has no existing residences, and the study area is not suitable for residential subdivision use. The proposed transmission line corridor will not interfere with any planned roadway improvements.
4.2.4 Population There will be no impacts to existing population along the proposed route, because there are no residential areas within or adjacent to the study area.
4.2.5 Employment and Income Direct economic impacts associated with the proposed project are related primarily to a flow of purchase monies into the community related to ROW acquisition and construction activities. Work crews will be associated with the project, but they are not expected to move into
4-5 April 24,2001 the area and establish permanent residences during construction. Any economic benefits from these workers probably will be limited to expenditures for food, beverage, gasoline, and possibly some motel rooms. Some miscellaneous materials and supplies required to construct the proposed transmission line may occur, which will benefit the business community, but contributions to present business income of establishments is expected to be minor.
4.2.6 Visual Impacts There are essentially no visually sensitive land uses in proximity to the proposed project. There are no incorporated areas, existing subdivisions, individual residences, parks, primary traveled roads, cemeteries, schools, and churches within the study area. There are 3 residences located along South Etta Road at a distance of approximately 0.5 to 1 mile from the study area. With the exception of these, there are no other residences closer to the study area than along either side of US Highway 67, which lies to the east of the study area at a distance of approximately 1 mile east of the transmission line corridor.
4.2.7 Environmental Justice Executive Order 12898, “Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations”, was published in the Federal Register on February 1 1, 1994. The Order requires each federal agency to identify and address disproportionately high and adverse effects to the environment or human health of its programs, policies, and activities on minority and low-income populations. This Environmental Assessment was prepared in light of federal guidelines relating to environmental justice issues. The proposed project is located within an area of Hot Spring County that is characterized by a population that is described by the 1990 census as White and having fairly uniform income levels (US Bureau of Census, 1991). Therefore, this project will not disproportionately impact minority and low- income populations.
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4.2.8 Cultural Resources A review of existing cultural resources records and field survey for the study area is currently being conducted by Historic Preservation Associates, a consulting firm that provides cultural resources services from a Fayetteville, Arkansas home office. Impacts to prehistoric and historic cultural resources will be determined from those studies and submitted to the Public Service Commission as a supplement to this EIS document.
4.3 Electrical Environmental Effects 4.3.1 Ozone Production Fuel combustion at electrical power generating facilities is a major source of nitrogen oxides, which are converted to nitrogen dioxide and then altered by sunlight to produce ozone. It is anticipated that current measures taken by the US EPA may serve to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides from facilities of the type that is under construction in proximity to this proposed transmission line. The proposed electric transmission lines and substation, however, do not involve production of nitrogen oxides and will not be a source of ozone production.
4.3.2 Audible Noise Corona generated audible noise from transmission lines is highest during heavy rain, at which time corona activity also is highest. The effect of increased noise during heavy rain is typically offset, however, by the fact that activity by members of the public is generally reduced during heavy rain. Consequently, the increased levels of audible noise during period of heavy rain are of much less consequence under those conditions. For this reason, the “wet conductor” condition that occurs following a heavy rain or during a light rain, fog, or snow is generally selected as the audible noise design condition for AC transmission lines. Under most conditions, the noise during fair weather will normally be inaudible to a person with normal hearing who stands under or near a 500 kV line. Moreover, any audible noise that might be present would normally be masked by birds or other sounds of the environment.
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4.3.3 Radio Interference Radio interference from high voltage transmission lines can result from corona generated radio frequently noise. Interference is generally noticed on AM broadcast band radios that are located in proximity to a transmission line. FM radios seldom experience interference from corona generated radio noise. Some interference to AM broadcast radio stations may occur during fair weather within 100 feet of the ROW. No interference with FM broadcast radio reception is expected at any time.
4.3.4 Television Interference There is a potential for interference to the video portion of TV reception. There is no effect from high voltage transmission lines on the audio portion of a TV signal. The video interference can result from (1) corona generated interference, (2) interference from spark discharges associated with loose or damaged hardware, and (3) “ghost” images resulting from delayed TV signal reflections from large structures. There is some potential for “ghost” images, but this would be the only TV reception problem anticipated from the proposed transmission line project.
4.3.5 Electric and Magnetic Field Strengths There are no residences within a 0.5 mile radius of the substation and transmission line. For that reason, there is no cause for concern regarding electric and magnetic field strengths.
4.3.6 Induced Currents There are no residences within a 0.5 mile radius of the substation and transmission line. Consequently, there is no cause for concern regarding induced currents
4.3.7 Electromagnetic Induction Electromagnetic induction takes place when a conductor that carries a current is paralleled by another conductor. A resulting voltage on the paralleling conductor normally occurs in response to the magnetic field produced by the current in the energized conductor. The
4-8 April 24,2001 paralleled conductor may be a transmission line, a communications circuit, a fence, a pipeline, or other above ground or buried, insulated or uninsulated structure. Electromagnetic induction effects typically are not a matter of concern.
4.4 Beneficial Environmental Effects Secondary development that may occur following construction of the proposed transmission line (together with the DEHS power facility that is not a part of this proposed action) would affect the daily lives of residents in nearby communities. This new development offers a potential for new jobs, increased economic viability, and a higher population. Construction of the transmission line and substation will result in improved reliability and capacity of supply of electrical energy. This increase in capacity for the region may assist in attracting additional new industries and the resulting increasing in employment opportunities, taxes, and economic viability of the community. While the proposed transmission line will result in a conversion of pine plantation to herbaceous vegetation cover, that can be viewed as something other than detrimental. A reversion to an earlier stage of plant succession will provide valuable habitat for wildlife species associated with an early succession habitat. Clearing for the substation, however, will result in a permanent removal of vegetative cover for approximately 4 acres.
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5.0 UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
5.1 Natural Resources The proposed construction of the transmission line and the substation differ in the type of unavoidable adverse environmental impacts. Unavoidable impacts from the transmission line corridor include the permanent alteration of plant communities within the corridor, but these changes may result in some beneficial impacts for wildlife. Substation construction will result in the permanent loss of vegetation and wildlife habitat within the established fence line. The proposed substation area, approximately 4 acres, will be cleared, grubbed and brought to grade after the installation of a geotextile liner and gravel base. To prevent high voltage arcing, equipment damage, and loss of electrical service, all vegetation and wildlife will be permanently removed from the substation area. While the substation area will be converted to a permanent industrial use, engineering spill control measures will be built to protect offsite resources from industrial activity. The proposed transmission line portion of the project will result in alteration of existing plant communities within the study area. At the present time, the dominant vegetation cover is provided by an immature pine plantation. The existing woody plant-dominated cover will be replaced by one that is dominated by herbaceous species or will be maintained as a woody plant- dominated area in early succession. A very small amount of wetlands, i. e., approximately 0.15 acre, will be impacted by the proposed project. Most of the existing wetlands within the project area will be retained following construction of the transmission line. Areas presently supporting wetland vegetation but cleared prior to construction will revert to a vegetation cover dominated by herbaceous wetland species. Existing functions and values of existing wetlands at the site are low, and the project will not result in significant impairment of those existing functions and values. With time, wetland functions and values will probably increase as a more diverse vegetation cover replaces the dominant pine of the existing pine plantation. Some soil erosion is possible wherever soil is exposed. Care will be taken during construction, however, to ensure the presence of ground cover to reduce erosion. Some soil
5-1 I April 24,200 1 compaction will occur due to use of heavy equipment. This compaction, however, will be reduced over time through aeration by soil organisms, effects of freeze and thawing, vegetation root action, and moisture. Maintenance of the proposed facility will require vegetation control by mechanical clearing and selective application of herbicides. Only compounds approved by federal, state, and local agencies will be used. Herbicides will be used in compliance with regulations regarding their application. Wildlife use of the study area is currently minor and restricted to a relatively small group of species. Minor changes to these local wildlife populations may occur within the transmission line corridor as a result of changes in vegetation cover. Effects will be short term and localized and should not result in a significant change in wildlife populations of the region.
5.2 Human Resources The proposed transmission line will have little or no effect on human resources. Visual quality effects will be minimal, because the study area has been highly impacted already through commercial forestry practices and clearing in association with the DEHS power plant facility now under construction. The entire route is uninhabited commercial pine plantation.
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6.0 IRREVERSIBLE AN D IRRETRIEVABLE COMMITMENT OF RESOURCES
The proposed Malvern transmission line will require a right-of-way of 320 feet in width for approximately 0.75 mile. The proposed right-of-way consists of two nearly parallel lines for almost all of the approximately 0.75 mile-corridor. Approximately 30 acres of trees will be cleared and maintained in low vegetative cover for the life of the proposed facility. The land area occupied by the transmission line structures will be lost to agricultural and forestry production for the life of the project. Also, the transmission line ROW will preclude construction of most developments that include buildings or other types of structures. This will represent a commitment of resources that could be restored following any future removal of the transmission line. The proposed substation area, approximately 4 acres, will be cleared, grubbed and brought to grade after the installation of a geotextile liner and gravel base. Vegetation and wildlife will be permanently removed from the area and the area will be actively managed to prevent their reintroduction. The land area occupied by the substation will be lost to forestry and agriculture for the life of the project. This acreage should be considered as permanently converted to an industrial use due to the high cost of removing the proposed structures, restoring the soil quality, and regrading to support .agricultural or forestry uses. A commitment of personnel and resources will be required to construct the transmission line and bring it to full functional operation. Fuel and manpower expended during facility construction and maintenance will be irretrievably committed. No other major irretrievable or irreversible commitments of resources are foreseen during construction and operation of the facility. Aesthetics of the area along the proposed facility, although not of high quality prior to construction, will be impaired for the life of the facility. Metal used in tower construction and conductors could be salvaged and reused in the event of transmission line removal at some future time. Also, concrete and tower footing material could be removed and used as fill or road surfacing material.
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7.0 AGENCY CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION
The following agencies and individuals were contacted andor provided input during the preparation of this Environmental Impact Statement for EN’Sproposed substation and transmission line project in Hot Spring County.
Federal
US Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Little Rock, AR Kalven L. Trice Malvern, AR Randall Buckner
US Department of Defense US Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg, MS Elizabeth Guynes
US Department of the Interior US Fish and Wildlife Service Conway, AR Margaret Harney
State of Arkansas
Arkansas Department of Arkansas Heritage Historic Preservation Program Ken Grunewald Natural Heritage Commission Cindy Osborne
Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality Steven L. Drown
Arkansas Forestry Commission John Shannon Harmon Townsend
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Robert Leonard Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department John Harris
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism Stan Graves
7-1 April 24,2001
Local
Hot Spring County County Judge Jack McCoy Mayor of Malvern Steve Northcutt
Other
The Nature Conservancy Nancy Delmar Douglas Zollner
7-2 April 24,2001
8.0 REFERENCES
Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality. 1999. Regulation 18. Air Quality.
Arkansas Department of Planning. 1974. Arkansas Natural Area Plan. Little Rock, Arkansas.
Arkansas Department of Pollution Control and Ecology. 1998. Regulation 2 As Amended. Regulation Establishing Water Quality Standards for Surface Water of the State of Arkansas.
Arkansas Labor Force Statistics. 2001. Arkansas County Profiles - Hot Spring County. Information based on 1990 census. Institute for Economic Advancement, University of Arkansas at Little Rock. -&ttp://www.prescottar.com/csde/QRDS/hotspring.html>
Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission. 1999. List of species of concern occurring within Hot Spring County.
Arkansas Statutes Annotated 73-276 through 72-276.18. 1977. Utility Facility Environmental and Economic Protection Act.
Atkinson, W. 1989. The Next New Madrid Earthquake. Southern Illinois Press, Carbondale.
Baker, R.C. 1955. Arkansas’ Groundwater Resources. Arkansas Geological and Conservation Commission Water Resources Circular Number 1. Arkansas Geological Commission. Little Rock.
Federal Emergency Management Agency. 1986. Flood Insurance Maps for Hot Spring County. Federal Emergency Management Agency, Washington, D.C.
Federal Register. 1994. Executive Order 12898. Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low Income Populations.
Goodspeed. 1 889. Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Pulaski, Jefferson, Lonoke, Faulkner, Grant, Saline, Perry, Garland and Hot Spring Counties. The Goodspeed Publishing Company, Chicago, Nashville and St. Louis.
Haley, Boyd L. 1993. Geologic map of Arkansas. Arkansas Geological Commission.
Halberg, H.N. 1968. Water resources of Grant and Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas. US Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 1857. US Geological Survey, Washington, D.C.
Hanson, Gerald T. and Carl H. Moneyhon. 1989. Historical Atlas of Arkansas. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman.
8- 1 April 24,2001
James, D.A., and J.C. Neal. 1986. Arkansas Birds: Their Distribution and Abundance. University of Arkansas Press, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Louie, John N. 2001. “The Modified Mercalli Scale of Earthquake Intensity.” University of Nevada at Reno (data attributed to Federal Emergency Management Agency). Natural Resource Conservation Service. 2001. Hydric soils list for Clark and Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas. New York Times. 1999. Article on New Madrid Fault earthquake zone. Science Section, Tuesday, April 27,1999. Sealander, John. 1979. A Guide to Arkansas Mammals. River Road Press, Conway, Arkansas. Robison, Henry. 2000. Fallicambarus jeanae Hobbs. -IN “Crayfishes of the Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas and Oklahoma.” Thompson, L. 1978. Transmission line wire strikes: mitigation through engineering design and habitat modification. IN “Impacts of transmission lines on birds in flight,” edited by M. Avery. US Fish anxWildlife Service. Soil Conservation Service. 1987. Soil survey of Clark and Hot Spring Counties, Arkansas. USDA Soil Conservation Service, Washington, D.C. University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 200 1a. Employment status of persons in the civilian labor force by county, 1990 census. Institute for Economic Advancement. University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 2001b. Meadmedian household and family income by county, 1990 census. Institute for Economic Advancement. University of Arkansas at Little Rock. 200 1c. Persons and families below poverty by county, 1990 census. Institute for Economic Advancement. US Bureau of the Census. 1991. Population and Housing for Arkansas (based on 1990 census). US Environmental Protection Agency. 1996. Air Quality Studies. 8-2 April 24,2001 US Fish and Wildlife Service. 2001. Arkansas listing of threatened and endangered species (27 species). Information obtained from US Fish and Wildlife Service website at: ~~p://ecos.fws.gov/webpage/webpage_usa_lists.html?module~de~ned#~ USDA Forest Service. 1999. Ozark-Ouachita Highlands Assessment: Air Quality. Report 2 of 5. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-32. Asheville, NC: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 8-3 , I . - .I DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY VICKSBURG DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS 4155 CLAY STREET VICKSBURG. MISSISSIPPI 39183-3435 REPLY TO ATTENTION OF: http://www.mvk.usace.arrny.rnil/ April 16, 2001 Operations Division Regulatory SUBJECT: Request for a Department of the Army Permit Dated April 9, 2001 (Entergy Transmission, FTN #6047-080) Mr. Gary Tucker FTN Associates Ltd. 3 Innwood Circle, Suite 220 Little Rock, Arkansas 72211 Dear Mr. Tucker: We have received your correspondence subject as above on April 12, 2001. We are working diligently to reply to you in a timely manner. For ease of reference, we assigned your correspondence an identification number, 200103960. Please refer to this number if you write to us or call about your request. If you have any questions about the status of your request, please call this office at (601) 631-7071. Sincerely, Elizabeth S. Guyaes Chief, Regulatory Branch Printed on Recycled Paper Waer~IenViroMnentalconsultwds April 9,2001 Ms. Beth Guynes Chief of Evaluation US Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District 4 155 Clay Street Vicksburg, MS 391 83-3435 RE: Request for Approved Jurisdictional Determination and Project Authorization Under Section 404 of Clean Water Act, Proposed Entergy Transmission Line Installation Project, Hot Spring County, Arkansas FTN NO. 6047-080 Dear Ms. Guynes: The purpose of this letter is to submit a determination of Section404 issues (Enclosure 1) and to submit notification in accordance with CFR Part 330 of minor impacts to waters of the United States (US). The determination was prepared for the proposed Entergy Transmission Line Installation Project near Malvem in Hot Spring County. On behalf of Entergy (the Applicant), we hereby request authorization of the proposed project, as described in subsequent paragraphs, under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act as administered by the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Vicksburg District (VD). We respectfblly request Authorization of the Proposed Prdject through Nationwide Permit No. 12, i-e.,Utility Line Activities. We respectfully request that you provide us with a written Approved Jurisdictidnal Determination and project authorization. . Applicant: Ms. Linda Baynham Agent: FTN Associates, Ltd. Environmental Manager AT": Dr. Gary E. Tucker Entergy Transmission 3 Innwood Circle, Suite 220 L-ENT-SF Little Rock, AR 722 11 639 Loyola Avenue Phone No.: 501-225-7779 New Orleans, LA 70 1 13 Location of Work: The proposed project area is located entirely in Hot Spring County, Arkansas. The project area is mapped on USGS topographic quadrangles Malvern South and Social Hill, ARK (7.5-minute series) (Attachment 1 of Enclosure 1). Legal description of the project area is part of Sections 7 and 18, Township 5 South, Range 17 West and Parts of Sections 12 and 13, Township 5 South, Range 18 West. 3 lnnwood Circle Suite 220 Little Rock, AR 72211 2949 Point Circle Suite 1 Fayetteville, AR 72704 (501) 225-7779 F~x(501) 225-6738 (501)571-3334 Fax (501)571-3338 Web Site: www.ftn-assoc.com E-mail: ftnQftn-assoc.com Ms. Guynes April 9,2001 Page 2 Project Description: The purpose of this project is for installation of a transmission line to a proposed Duke Energy North America (DENA) gas-fired power generating plant and its ancillary facilities. A new 500 kV line segment will be constructed from the existing Hot Springs to McNeil 500kV line by cutting the existing line and extending both ends into a new ETTA 500kV substation at the Duke Energy North America generating plant. The new 500 kV line segment will consist of approximately 3,500 feet into the new ETTA Substation and approximately 3,500 feet back out to the existing 500kV line. The two 3,500 feet long line segments will be in close proximity to one another and will generally parallel one another for the entire route. The route traverses approximately 0.6 mile of an existing pine plantation and will be constructed with up to eight towers and approximately 67,000 linear feet of 3 triple bundle 954 kcmil ACSR “Rail” conductors and approximately 14,000 linear feet of Alcoa 7 No. 7 Alumoweld shield wires. The proposed transmission line comdor is located approximately 4.5 miles southwest of Malvem in Hot Spring County, Arkansas (Attachment 1 of Enclosure 1). Description of Present Conditions: The project area is characterized in entirety as a planted pine plantation .with a dense understory of sapling hardwoods. The 120-acre project site is represented by a generally flat topography with minor topographic mounds situated throughout the site. The project area is predominantly characterized by a mosaic of wetland (80%) and non-wetland (20%) communities. This site supports a planted immature.canopy cover of loblolly pine (Pinus faedu)with a dense understory dominated by saplings of willow oak (Quercus phellos), water oak (Quercus nigra), and scattered sweetgum (Liquidambar styracijlua),red maple (Acer rubrum), and buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis). Description of Work: The described construction practices are designed to minimize permanent impacts to the site. The applicant has carefully selected construction techniques and equipment for minimal soil disturbance. All woody vegetation will be removed to approximately one-half foot above the soil line. All woody material will be burned or disposed of outside the project area. The stumps will not be removed, except when required for constructing a tower footing and will be disposed of outside the project area. Any fill required for access to the site by construction equipment will be removed at the end of the project. The eight towers projected for the construction will consist of two types, four tangent 500 kV H-frame towers and four 500 kV lattice frame towers (Enclosure 2 and 3). The four tangent H-frame towers will be supported on vibratory pilings. There will be minimal excavation, if any, in placing these foundations. The lattice towers typically require four concrete footings for support. Approximately 1,600 square feet per tower will be disturbed in placing the footings, for a total of approximately 6,400 square feet (= 0.15 acre) for all towers. After the footings are poured, the excavation will be backfilled with soil. Any excess soil will be camed off site. Temporary access roads to facilitate construction will utilize existing contours and elevations of the nearly level site. No permanent access roads will be constructed. Because the project area has no stream channels or other surface waters, there will be no requirement for installation of any culverts. Ms. Guynes ’April 9,2001 Page 3 Impacts to Wetlands: FTN conducted a delineation of Section 404 issues at the project site on December 18 and 19, 2000 (Enclosure 1). Attachment 2 of Enclosure 1 shows the locations of wetlands within the project area. The approximately 120-acre study area represents a -tract that includes seasonal wetlands. A few small non-wetland areas occur within the north and northwestern portions of the study area. Remaining portions of the study area are characterized by a mosaic of approximately 80% wetland and 20% non-wetland. A total of approximately 71 acres of wetlands was identified within the overall study area. These wetlands are subject to potential US Army Corps of Engineers jurisdiction under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Permanent soil erosion prevention measures will be implemented during the final cleanup operation. The area that is excavated to facilitate construction of tower foundations will be limited to the minimum necessary for their construction. Any excess material resulting from excavation for foundations will be removed to upland areas immediately upon completion of construction. The total estimated surface area for foundations related to overhead utility line towers, poles, and anchors will be approximately 0.1 5-acre. Impacts to Other Waters of the United States (US): The proposed project would not result in any impacts to “other waters of the US’. USGS topographic quadrangles Malvern South, ARK and Social Hill, ARK (7.5-minute series) map a portion of a tributary to Black Branch as occurring within the north central portion of the project site. Field observations, however, indicated that no portion of this mapped channel exists within the project area. No channel that exhibits an ordinary highwater mark exists within the project area. Coordination of Other Potential Project Issues: FTN has coordinated threatened and endangered (T&E) species issues with US Fish and Wildlife Service and cultural resource issues with the State Historic Preservation Office (Enclosure 4). As indicated by Enclosure 4, there are no federally listed T&E species or cultural resource issues associated with the proposed project. If you have questions or need additional information regarding this submittal, please call me or Ms. Shannon Holbrook at (501) 225-7779. Kindest regards, FTN ASSOCIATES, LTD. Gary E. hcker, PhD, PWS Project Managermetland Scientist GEThw Enclosures ENCLOSURE 1 Wetland Determination