DOCSLIB.ORG

Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) (DOE/EIS-0503)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) (DOE/EIS-0503) 1 3 4 2 Cover Photo Credits 1. TDI-NE (http://wamc/files/styles/default/public/201410/new-england-clean-power-link-map- ctsy-tdi-new-england.jpg" alt="">) 2. NECPL exit from Lake Champlain (Benson, Vermont) courtesy of TDI-NE 3. Lake Bomoseen, Fair Haven, Vermont courtesy of TDI-NE 4. TDI-NE 2014a FINAL NEW ENGLAND CLEAN POWER LINK PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT DOE/EIS-0503 VOLUME I: IMPACT ANALYSES U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY OFFICE OF ELECTRICITY DELIVERY AND ENERGY RELIABILITY COOPERATING AGENCIES U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS U.S. COAST GUARD OCTOBER 2015 This Page Intentionally Left Blank Final New England Clean Power Link EIS COVER SHEET RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL AGENCY U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability COOPERATING AGENCIES U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) TITLE New England Clean Power Link Transmission Line Project Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) (DOE/EIS-0503) LOCATION Grand Isle, Chittenden, Addison, Rutland, and Windsor counties in Vermont CONTACTS For additional information on this Final EIS contact: Mr. Brian Mills, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Document Manager Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, OE-20 U.S. Department of Energy Washington, DC 20585 Telephone: (202) 586-8267 [email protected] ABSTRACT: Champlain VT, LLC, d/b/a Transmission Developers Inc. - New England (TDI-NE) applied to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to construct, operate and maintain a 154-mile long electric transmission line in the United States from the border with Canada, near the town of Alburgh, Vermont. The New England Clean Power Link (NECPL) Project would consist of one 1,000- megawatt, high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line and a new converter station in Ludlow, Vermont. This Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) addresses the potential environmental impacts of the proposed transmission line (Preferred Alternative) and the No Action Alternative. The proposed transmission cable would include both aquatic (underwater) and terrestrial (primarily underground) segments in Vermont. The underwater portions of the transmission cable would be buried in the beds of Lake Champlain, and the terrestrial portions would be buried, principally in roadway rights-of-way and railway beds. The transmission cable would consist of two transmission cables. A new converter station in Ludlow, Vermont, would convert the electrical power from DC to alternating current (AC) and interconnect to Vermont Electric Power Company’s existing substation in Cavendish, Vermont. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Comments on the Draft EIS were accepted for a 60-day period following publication of EPA’s Notice of Availability (NOA) in the Federal Register on June 12, 2015. The DOE held two public meetings on the Draft EIS (July 15, 2015 in South Burlington, Vermont and July 16, 2015 in Rutland, Vermont). All comments were considered during preparation of the Final EIS. Appendix M–Comment Response Document of this Final EIS contains revisions and new information based in part on comments received on the Draft EIS. Vertical bars in the margins marking changed text indicate the locations of these revisions and new information. Deletions are not indicated. U.S. Department of Energy October 2015 i Final New England Clean Power Link EIS The Final EIS analyzes the potential environmental impacts of the DOE issuing a Presidential permit for the proposed NECPL Project, which is DOE’s proposed Federal action (Preferred Alternative). If the DOE determines that granting a Presidential permit is in the public interest, the information contained in this Final EIS will also help to inform the DOE’s decision regarding potential mitigation measures and other conditions of the permit. Copies of the Final EIS are available for public review at 11 local libraries as noted in Appendix B–EIS Distribution List of the Final EIS or a copy may be requested from Mr. Brian Mills. The Final EIS also is available on the NECPL Project EIS Web site (http://necplinkeis.com/). The DOE will announce its decision on the Proposed Action in a Record of Decision (ROD) in the Federal Register no sooner than 30 days after EPA publishes the NOA of the Final EIS. U.S. Department of Energy October 2015 ii Final New England Clean Power Link EIS Table of Contents Cover Sheet........................................................................................................................................ i Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................. iii List of Appendices ........................................................................................................................... vi Table of Figures ............................................................................................................................... vi Table of Tables ............................................................................................................................... vii Summary .......................................................................................................................................S-1 S.1 Background .......................................................................................................................S-1 S.2 DOE’s Purpose of and Need for Agency Action .................................................................S-2 S.3 Applicant’s Objectives .......................................................................................................S-2 S.4 Public Participation and Interagency Coordination .............................................................S-2 S.5 Alternatives Analyzed........................................................................................................S-6 S.5.1. No Action Alternative ...................................................................................................S-6 S.5.2. DOE’s Proposed Action ................................................................................................S-7 S.6 Proposed NECPL Project Overview ...................................................................................S-7 S.6.1. Construction and Schedule .......................................................................................... S-11 S.6.1.1. Aquatic Transmission Cable Installation ................................................................ S-11 S.6.1.2. Terrestrial Direct Current Transmission Cable Installation ..................................... S-13 S.7 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Further Detailed Analysis .......................... S-15 S.7.1. Collocating the Cables ................................................................................................ S-15 S.7.2. Other Alternatives ...................................................................................................... S-15 S.7.3. Conservation and Demand Reduction Measures .......................................................... S-15 S.7.4. Transmission Technologies ......................................................................................... S-15 S.8 Summary of Potential Effects Associated with the Proposed NECPL Project ................... S-16 1 Purpose of and Need for the Action ................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Background ....................................................................................................................... 1-1 1.2 DOE’s Purpose of and Need for Agency Action ................................................................. 1-2 1.3 DOE’s Proposed Action ..................................................................................................... 1-2 1.4 TDI-NE’s Objectives ......................................................................................................... 1-2 1.5 Public Participation and Interagency Coordination ............................................................. 1-3 1.5.1 Public Scoping ........................................................................................................ 1-4 1.5.2 Issues Outside the Scope of this EIS – Canada ......................................................... 1-5 1.5.3 Interagency Coordination ........................................................................................ 1-5 1.5.4 Federal, State, and Local Authorizations and Approvals .......................................... 1-5 1.5.5 Draft EIS Public Review ......................................................................................... 1-7 1.6 Organization of this Final EIS ............................................................................................ 1-8 2 Proposed Action and Alternatives ...................................................................................... 2-1 2.1 Proposed Action ................................................................................................................ 2-1 2.2 No Action Alternative ........................................................................................................ 2-1 2.3 Proposed NECPL Project Overview ................................................................................... 2-1 2.3.1 Issuance of the Certificate of Public Good ............................................................... 2-7 2.4 Proposed NECPL
Load more

Recommended publications
  • National Register of Historic Places W;/' Registration Form
    NPS Form 10-900 v OMB No. 1024-0018 (Rev. 10-90) United States Department of the interior i RECEIVED 2280 National Park Service ! r i/*"'; National Register of Historic Places W;/' Registration Form This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations for individual properties and districts. Si re-fnsmrctions irCHoWWComplefe the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (National Register Bulletin 16A). Complete each item by marking "x" in the appropriate box or by entering the information requested. If any item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, architectural classification, materials, and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategories from the instructions. Place additional entries and narrative items on continuation sheets (NPS Form 10-900a). Use a typewriter, word processor, or computer, to complete all items. 1. Name of Property historic name Vergennes Residential Historic District other names/site number 2. Location street & number South Water Street. Green Street. South Maple Street - south of Main Street_____ Q not for publication city or town Verqennes_____________________________ D vicinity state Vermont______________ code VT county Addison__________ code 001 zip code 05491 3. State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1 986, as amended, I hereby certify that this Q?nomination D request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property CXmeets D does not meet the National Register Criteria.
    [Show full text]
  • City of Vergennes Municipal Development Plan
    VERGENNES MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2020 – 2028 Adopted by Vergennes City Council on March 10, 2020 Approved by Addison County Regional Planning Commission on September 9, 2020 This plan is available online at www.vergennes.org Prepared by: Vergennes Planning Commission Danelle Birong Cheryl Brinkman John Coburn Tim Cook Shannon Haggett, Chair Carrie Macfarlane Mike Winslow, Vice Chair Updated from the 2009 Plan which was written with technical assistance by: LandWorks Landscape Architecture. Planning. Graphic Design. 228 Maple Street, Suite 32 Middlebury, Vermont 05753 802.388.3011 (phone) 802.388.1950 (fax) www.landworksvt.com [email protected] Table of Contents Chapter I. PLANNING OUR FUTURE 1 Section 1.1 About Vergennes 1 Section 1.2 Our Vision for the Future 3 Section 1.3 Community Involvement 4 Section 1.4 About Our Plan 6 Section 1.5 Goals 7 Section 1.6 Policies and Recommended Actions 7 Chapter 2. SUPPORTING OUR PEOPLE 8 Section 2.1 Our Housing and Population 8 Section 2.1.1 Historic and Current Settlement Patterns 8 Section 2.1.2 Population 8 Section 2.1.3 Housing 10 Section 2.1.4 Goals 12 Section 2.1.5 Policies and Recommended Actions 12 Section 2.2 Our Economy 12 Section 2.2.1 Employment and Wages 14 Section 2.3 Goals 14 Section 2.4 Policies and Recommended Actions 15 Chapter 3. SERVING OUR COMMUNITY 16 Section 3.1 Our Community Facilities and Services 16 Section 3.1.1 City Hall and the Vergennes Opera House 16 Section 3.1.2 Police Protection 16 Section 3.1.3 Fire Protection 17 Section 3.1.4 Emergency Response Services
    [Show full text]
  • Final New England Clean Power Link Project Environmental Impact
    1 3 2 4 Cover Photo Credits 1. TDI-NE (http://wamc/files/styles/default/public/201410/new-england-clean-power-link- map-ctsy-tdi-new-england.jpg" alt="">) 2. NECPL exit from Lake Champlain (Benson, Vermont) courtesy of TDI-NE 3. Lake Bomoseen, Fair Haven, Vermont courtesy of TDI-NE 4. TDI-NE 2014a New England Clean Power Link Biological Assessment TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................................................................................... I LIST OF FIGURES .............................................................................................................................. II LIST OF TABLES................................................................................................................................ II 1 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................ 1 1.2 CONSULTATION HISTORY ......................................................................................................... 2 2 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION ........................................................................ 2 2.1 DESCRIPTION OF THE ROUTE SEGMENTS USED IN THE FINAL EIS ANALYSES ............................ 2 2.2 NECPL PROJECT AREA ............................................................................................................ 3 2.3 DESCRIPTION OF CONSTRUCTION
    [Show full text]
  • Prosperity with Pride
    PROSPERITY WITH PRIDE OUR GATEWAY TO THE FUTURE TOWN PLAN 2003 Adopted by the Fair Haven Select Board September 24, 2003 Approved and Confirmed by Rutland Regional Planning Commission TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTENTS PAGE 1 1 Introduction 1-10 Purpose 1 Process 1-2 Vision Statement 2 Community Profile 2 Physical Characteristics 2-4 Current Physical Description 4-5 Historical Perspective 5-7 Landscape 7 Culture 8-9 Present Day Pressures and Vision of Fair Haven 9-10 General Goals 10 2. Land Use 11-17 Inventory and Trends 11-12 Zoning 12-13 Future Land Use Map 13 Village Areas 13 Gateway 13-14 Commercial/Industrial 14 Resource Protection 14-15 Medium Density Rural 15 Low Density Rural 15 Conclusions and Objectives 15 Implementation 15-17 3. Transportation 18-25 Inventory and Trends 18 Planes 19 Trains 19 Automotive Form of Public Transportation 19 Bus Service 19 Parking 19 Roads and Bridges 19-20 Pedestrian Mobility 21 Conclusions 21-22 Objectives 22 Implementation 22-25 4. Utilities and Facilities 26-36 Inventory and Trends Local Government 26 Administrative/Financial Officers - Term 26 Other Town Officials Term , Volunteer Positions 26-27 Volunteer Groups appointed by the Selectboard 27 To Be Considered 27 To Be Investigated 27 Fire Department 227 Enhanced (E 911) 27-28 2 Highway Department 28 Police Department 28 Fair Haven Rescue Inc. 28-29 Recreation 30 Currently Utilized Recreation Sites Publicly Owned 30 Privately Owned sites 30 Library 30 Municipal Water and Sewer Systems 31 Fair Haven Water Supply 31 Fair Haven Sewer 31 Fair Haven Water System 31-32 Report of Uncommitted Reserve Hydraulic Capacity 32 Other Public Water Supplies 33 Private Sewage Disposal 33 Solid Waste 33 Post Office 33-34 Cemeteries 34 Conclusions 34 Objectives 34-35 Implementation 35-36 5.
    [Show full text]
  • Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Watershed Management Division
    Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Watershed Management Division DRAFT SOUTH LAKE CHAMPLAIN TACTICAL BASIN PLAN The Lower Poultney River floodplain forest (Photo Credit: TNC/ Mary Droege) South Lake Champlain Tactical Basin Plan – DRAFT November 2017 Page 1 The South Lake Champlain Basin - Water Quality Management Plan was prepared in accordance with 10 VSA § 1253(d), the Vermont Water Quality Standards1, the Federal Clean Water Act and 40 CFR 130.6, and the Vermont Surface Water Management Strategy. Approved: ----------------------------------------- ------------------------- Emily Boedecker, Commissioner Date Department of Environmental Conservation -------------------------------------- ------------------------- Julie Moore, Secretary Date Agency of Natural Resources 1) Pursuant to Section 1-02 D (5) of the VWQS, Basin Plans shall propose the appropriate Water Management Type of Types for Class B waters based on the existing water quality and reasonably attainable and desired water quality management goals. ANR has not included proposed Water Management Types in this Basin Plan. ANR is in the process of developing an anti-degradation rule in accordance with 10 VSA 1251a (c) and is re-evaluating whether Water Management Typing is the most effective and efficient method of ensuring that quality of Vermont's waters are maintained and enhanced as required by the VWQS, including the anti-degradation policy. Accordingly, this Basin Plan is being issued by ANR with the acknowledgement that it does not meet the requirements of Section 1-02 D (5) of the VWQS. The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources is an equal opportunity agency and offers all persons the benefits of participating in each of its programs and competing in all areas of employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual preference, or other non-merit factors.
    [Show full text]
  • HAER Report Only
    HISTORIC AMERICAN ENGINEERING RECORD LAKE CHAMPLAIN BRIDGE HAER No. NY-541 Location: Spanning Lake Champlain at NY Route 185 and VT Route 17, Town of Crown Point, Essex County, New York, and Town of Addison, Addison County, Vermont. The Lake Champlain Bridge is located at latitude 44.0149, longitude -73.2524. The coordinate represents the center of the bridge at the New York/Vermont boundary. The coordinate was obtained on 4 May 2010 by plotting its location on the 1:25,000 Port Henry, NY USGS Topographic Quadrangle Map. The accuracy of the coordinate is +/- 12 meters. The coordinate’s datum is North American Datum 1983. The Lake Champlain Bridge location has no restriction on its release to the public. Structural Type: Steel continuous through and deck truss span Date of Construction: 1928-29 Designer: Fay, Spofford and Thorndike, Engineers Builders: Substructure - Merritt-Chapman and Scott Corporation, Boston Superstructure - American Bridge Company, New York Deck and Approach Paving - Scott Brothers Construction Company, Rome, New York Electrical Equipment - Alvin E. Bennett, Crown Point, New York Toll House – Charles Malone, Port Henry, New York Present Owner: New York State Department of Transportation and Vermont Agency of Transportation Present Use: Vehicular bridge, closed October 16, 2009, removed December 28, 2009 Significance: The bridge was a nationally significant engineering landmark and one of the country’s most technologically inventive and aesthetically sophisticated designs for highway bridges of its period. Opened to traffic in 1929, the bridge symbolized a convergence of four separate but related trends in transportation engineering, the origins of which can be traced to the closing decades of the nineteenth century: (1) continuous truss technology; (2) a debate within the engineering community regarding the LAKE CHAMPLAIN BRIDGE HAER No.
    [Show full text]
  • Final South Lake Champlain Tactical Basin Plan
    Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation Watershed Management Division SOUTH LAKE CHAMPLAIN TACTICAL BASIN PLAN The Lower Poultney River floodplain forest (Photo Credit: TNC/ Mary Droege) The South Lake Champlain Basin - Water Quality Management Plan was prepared in accordance with 10 VSA § 1253(d), the Vermont Water Quality Standards1, the Federal Clean Water Act and 40 CFR 130.6, and the Vermont Surface Water Management Strategy. South Lake Champlain Tactical Basin Plan – December 2017 Page 1 South Lake Champlain Tactical Basin Plan Overview South Lake Champlain Tactical Basin Plan – December 2017 Page 3 Contents Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................... 9 South Lake Champlain Tactical Basin Plan Overview ...........................................................................9 Top Objectives and Strategies ................................................................................................... 11 Summary of Classification Opportunities .............................................................................. 13 Chapter 1 - Introduction ............................................................................................................. 15 A. Basin Description ..................................................................................................................... 15 B. Purpose of the Tactical Plan ....................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Appendix C: Summary of Previous and On-Going Studies And
    ROUTE 22A CORRIDOR STUDY Final Report Appendices Appendix C Task 2 Summary: Existing Conditions May 2012 Rutland Regional Planning Commission, Vermont Orwell, Benson, West Haven & Fair Haven, Vermont Broadreach Planning & Design/Stantec Rutland Regional Planning Commission Vermont VT Route 22ACorridor Study Task 2 Memo: Existing Conditions Submitted by: Broadreach Planning & Design In conjunction with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. July 2011 Rutland Regional Planning Commission, Vermont May 2010 VT ROUTE 22A CORRIDOR STUDY Task 2 Memo – Existing Conditions Page 1 I. INTRODUCTION The Rutland Regional Planning Commission (RRPC), in conjunction with VTrans and the Addison County Regional Planning Commission, is managing the Vermont Route 22A Corridor Study. RRPC created a Corridor Technical Advisory Committee consisting of representatives of the two regional planning commissions, VTrans, and the four towns associated with the Vermont Route 22A Corridor Study Area: Orwell, Benson, West Haven, and Fair Haven. To assist the actual work of much of the Study, the RRPC contracted with Broadreach Planning & Design and Stantec Consulting Services, the Study Team. Vermont Route 22A (Route 22A) runs north south along the western side of the State of Vermont starting in Ferrisburgh on its northern end. It heads roughly straight south until it crosses into New York State at the southern limits of Fair Haven. The Study Area extends from the Route 22A intersection with Vermont Route 73 (Route 73) in Orwell as the northern terminus and ends in the south at the New York State line. The Study Area extends east west approximately one-half mile on either side of Route 22A, but extends farther as appropriate to include the influences of Vermont Route 30 (Route 30) and US Route 7 (Route 7), other nearby north south routes.
    [Show full text]
  • Woodchuck Fest This Saturday
    Ice Fishing Fever . PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 65 GRANVILLE, NY 12832 CATCH IT! POSTAL CUSTOMER See our special ice fishing section on pages 7-9. LAKES REGION Bob Williams of Williams Hardware invites you to check FreePress out his money-saving True Value sale circular inside. Vol. 31, Issue 5 Friday, January 31, 2020 Woodchuck Fest this Saturday In honor of Groundhog Day, dors who cater to everyone,” cially for the festival – will be every year West Pawlet spon- said Morgan Hosley, festival greeted by Hosley, West sors its Woodchuck Festival. organizer. “You can come out Pawlet’s own “Fire Woman.” This year’s event is the town’s and have a great meal, and kids The Rupert/Mettowee Valley 17th and it will take place on can color while you shop.” 4-H Club will run a bottle drive Saturday, Feb. 1, from 10 a.m. to The Kid’s Corner will have from 9 a.m. to noon, so bring 3 p.m. at Mettawee Community activities to engage children, your empty bottles and cans School on Vermont Route 153. including a coloring contest with you to the festival. The festival features excit- and a visit from the West The Woodchuck Kitchen will ing activities for young and old, Pawlet Woodchuck, who will offer chuckburgers, chuckdog- including Valentine and Super arrive via a big red engine, gies, woodchuck stew, corn Bowl raffles, a silent auction, weather permitting, at 1 p.m. chowder, macaroni and cheese, Mr. Woodchuck – awakened great food and shopping. A sleepy West Pawlet Woodchuck arrives at a Woodchuck “It’s a family event with ven- from his winter slumber espe- See WOODCHUCK, pg.
    [Show full text]
  • VT 22A & Panton Road Intersection Study Final
    FINAL REPORT INTERSECTION STUDY Vermont Route 22A & Panton Road City of Vergennes, Vermont May 9, 2011 Prepared for: 14 Seminary Street Middlebury, Vermont 05753 Prepared by: LAMOUREUX & DICKINSON Consulting Engineers, Inc. 14 Morse Drive Essex, Vermont 05452 Table of Contents Page 1.0 Introduction.....................................................................................................1 2.0 Purpose and Need Statement ........................................................................2 2.01 Purpose.................................................................................................2 2.02 Need .....................................................................................................2 3.0 Existing Conditions ........................................................................................3 3.01 Character of Project Area......................................................................3 3.02 Design Speed........................................................................................3 3.03 Functional Classification........................................................................3 3.04 Traffic Volumes.....................................................................................4 3.05 Horizontal Alignment .............................................................................5 3.06 Terrain & Vertical Alignment..................................................................5 3.07 Right-of-Way Information......................................................................5
    [Show full text]
  • Fair Haven Town Plan
    Fair Haven Town Plan PREPARED BY THE FAIR HAVEN PLANNING COMMISSION Fair Haven Town Plan Table of Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 3 Historic Background ................................................................................................................................. 4 Demographics .......................................................................................................................................... 5 Housing ................................................................................................................................................... 6 Utility and Facility Plan ............................................................................................................................. 9 Natural Resources .................................................................................................................................. 15 Parks and Recreation .............................................................................................................................. 16 Culture................................................................................................................................................... 17 Historic Sites and Features ...................................................................................................................... 18 Energy ..................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]