Document Type: EA-Administrative Record Index Field: Final Environmental Assessment Project Name: Calhoun, Georgia 115-kV TL Project Number: 2013-26 CALHOUN, GEORGIA – AREA POWER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Gordon and Whitfield Counties, Georgia Prepared by: TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY Chattanooga, Tennessee April 2016 Direct Comments to: Anita E. Masters NEPA Program and Valley Projects Tennessee Valley Authority 1101 Market Street Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402 Phone: 423-751-8697 E-mail: [email protected] This page intentionally left blank Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 .......................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Proposed Action – Improve Power Supply .............................................................................. 1 1.2 Need for the Proposed Action .................................................................................................. 1 1.3 Decisions to be Made ............................................................................................................... 2 1.4 Related Environmental Reviews or Documentation ................................................................ 5 1.5 Scoping Process and Public Involvement ................................................................................ 5 1.6 Issues to be Addressed............................................................................................................ 9 1.7 Necessary Federal Permits and Licenses ............................................................................... 9 CHAPTER 2 ........................................................................................................................................ 11 2.1 Alternatives ............................................................................................................................ 11 2.1.1 The No Action Alternative – TVA Does Not Provide an Additional Power Supply to the Calhoun and Dalton Area ......................................................................... 11 2.1.2 Action Alternative – TVA Provides an Additional Power Supply to the Calhoun and Dalton Area ............................................................................................... 11 2.1.3 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated From Further Discussion .................................. 12 2.1.3.1 Build a New 230-kV Interconnection with Georgia Power ........................................ 12 2.1.3.2 Build a New 230-kV Transmission Line Parallel to Center Point-Moss Lake No. 1 Transmission Line .................................................................................. 13 2.1.3.3 Underground Utility Lines .......................................................................................... 13 2.2 Construction, Operation, and Maintenance of the Proposed Transmission Line .................. 14 2.2.1 Transmission Line Construction ...................................................................................... 14 2.2.1.1 Right-of-Way Acquisition and Clearing ..................................................................... 14 2.2.1.2 Access Roads ........................................................................................................... 15 2.2.1.3 Construction Assembly Areas ................................................................................... 16 2.2.1.4 Structures and Conductors ....................................................................................... 16 2.2.1.5 Conductor and Ground Wire Installation ................................................................... 18 2.2.2 Operation and Maintenance ............................................................................................ 18 2.2.2.1 Inspection .................................................................................................................. 18 2.2.2.2 Vegetation Management ........................................................................................... 18 2.2.2.3 Structure Replacement ............................................................................................. 19 2.3 Siting Process ........................................................................................................................ 19 2.3.1 Definition of the Study Area ............................................................................................. 20 2.3.2 Description of the Study Area .......................................................................................... 20 2.3.3 Data Collection ................................................................................................................ 21 2.3.4 Establishment and Application of Siting Criteria .............................................................. 21 2.3.5 Development of General Route Segments and Potential Transmission Line Routes ............................................................................................................................. 22 2.3.5.1 Changes Made to Route Segments Following Open Houses .................................. 24 2.3.5.2 Potential Transmission Line Corridors ...................................................................... 29 2.4 Identification of the Preferred Transmission Line Route ........................................................ 29 2.5 Comparison of Environmental Effects by Alternative ............................................................. 31 2.6 Identification of Mitigation Measures ...................................................................................... 33 2.7 The Preferred Alternative ....................................................................................................... 36 CHAPTER 3 ........................................................................................................................................ 37 3.1 Groundwater and Geology ..................................................................................................... 37 3.2 Surface Water ........................................................................................................................ 38 3.3 Aquatic Ecology ..................................................................................................................... 39 Final Environmental Assessment i Calhoun, Georgia – Area Power System Improvements 3.4 Vegetation .............................................................................................................................. 41 3.5 Wildlife .................................................................................................................................... 43 3.6 Endangered and Threatened Species ................................................................................... 44 3.6.1 Aquatic Animals ............................................................................................................... 47 3.6.2 Plants ............................................................................................................................... 49 3.6.3 Terrestrial Animals ........................................................................................................... 50 3.7 Floodplains ............................................................................................................................. 51 3.8 Wetlands ................................................................................................................................ 52 3.9 Aesthetics ............................................................................................................................... 58 3.9.1 Visual Resources ............................................................................................................. 58 3.9.2 Noise ................................................................................................................................ 59 3.9.3 Odors ............................................................................................................................... 59 3.10 Archaeological and Historic Resources ................................................................................. 60 3.11 Recreation, Parks, and Natural Areas ................................................................................... 62 3.12 Socioeconomics and Environmental Justice.......................................................................... 63 CHAPTER 4 ........................................................................................................................................ 65 4.1 No Action Alternative .............................................................................................................. 65 4.2 Action Alternative ................................................................................................................... 65 4.2.1 Groundwater and Geology .............................................................................................. 65 4.2.2 Surface Water .................................................................................................................. 66 4.2.3 Aquatic Ecology ............................................................................................................... 66 4.2.4 Vegetation ........................................................................................................................ 67 4.2.5 Wildlife ............................................................................................................................