[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 158 (Friday, August 15, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 43696-43697] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-21655] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service Plains Electric Generation and Transmission Cooperative, Inc.; Intent To Hold Public Workshops and Prepare an Environmental Assessment AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of intent to conduct public scoping workshops and prepare an Environmental Assessment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) intends to hold public scoping workshops and prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) in connection with possible RUS financing assistance relating to a project proposed by Plains Electric Generation and Transmission Cooperative, Inc. (Plains), of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The project consists of the construction, operation and maintenance of a 230 kV transmission line from a proposed substation near Gladstone in Colifax County, New Mexico, to the Walsenburg Substation in Huerfano County, Colorado. DATES: RUS will conduct five public scoping workshops as follows: September 17, 1997 4:00-8:00 p.m.--Walsenburg City Hall, 525 S. Albert Street, Walsenburg, Colorado 81089. September 18, 1997 4:00-8:00 p.m.--Trinidad Community Center, 1309 Beashoar Drive, Trinidad, Colorado 81082. September 22, 1997 4:00-8:00 p.m.-- Holiday Inn, 473 Clayton Road, Raton, New Mexico 87740. September 23, 1997 4:00-8:00 p.m.-- Springer Electric Cooperative, 420 Maxwell Avenue, Springer, New Mexico 87747. September 24, 1997 4:00-8:00 p.m.--Clayton Air Park Convention Center, Cedar Road, Clayton, New Mexico 88415. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dennis E. Rankin, Engineering and Environmental Staff, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250, telephone (202) 720-1784, or Rick Precek, Plains Electric Generation and Transmission Cooperative, Inc., P.O. Box 6551, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87197, telephone (505) 889-7207. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Plains is proposing to construct approximately 115 miles of 230 kV transmission line from a new substation near Gladstone in Colifax County, New Mexico, to the Walsenburg Substation in Huerfano County, Colorado. Alternatives to be considered by RUS include no action, local generation, system alternatives, transmission alternatives and alternative routes. Comments regarding the proposed project may be submitted orally or in writing at the public scoping workshops or in writing no later than October 24, 1997, to RUS or Plains at the addresses provided in this notice. Plains and its consultant have prepared an Alternative Evaluation and Macro-Corridor Study for the project. The Alternative Evaluation and Macro-Corridor Study is available for public review at RUS or Plains at the addresses provided in this notice. The documents can also be reviewed at Springer Electric Cooperative, Inc., Springer, New Mexico 87747; Southwestern Electric Cooperative, Inc., Clayton, New Mexico 88145; and in the libraries in the towns of Walsenburg and Trinidad, Colorado, and Raton, Clayton and Springer, New Mexico. [[Page 43697]] An Environmental Assessment will be prepared for the proposed project. Based on a review of the Environmental Assessment and other relevant information, RUS will determine if the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is warranted. Should RUS determine that the preparation of an EIS is not warranted, it will prepare a Finding of No Significant Impact. Any final action by RUS related to the proposed project will be subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant Federal environmental laws and regulations and completion of environmental review procedures as prescribed by the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations and RUS Environmental Policies and Procedures. Dated: August 12, 1997. Wally Beyer, Administrator. [FR Doc. 97-21655 Filed 8-14-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-15-P