Opportunity to Object on the Holy Cross Energy Avon-to-Gilman Electric (115-kV) Transmission Line Project The EA and Draft Decision Notice (DN) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) can be found herehttps://usfs.app.box.com/folder/158226950551?s=h8kl4cx9gl7aya2fe7jqt66jh44u6fnr Additional information, specialist reports and other analysis documentation referenced in the EA can be obtained from Leanne Veldhuis, Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District, District Ranger at 970-827-5715 or email leanne.veldhuis@usda.gov The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) and draft decision notice and finding of no significant impact (DN/FONSI) for the Holy Cross Energy (HCE) Avon-to-Gilman Electric (115-kV) Transmission Line Project. The proposed project is located on the Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District of the White River National Forest (WRNF) near the Town of Minturn, Colorado. The Responsible Official for this decision is Brian Glaspell, Forest Supervisor, White River National Forest. The Responsible Official is planning to implement Alternative 4, which proposes to issue HCE a special use authorization (a 50-year permit) to construct, operate, and maintain a 3.3-mile transmission line within a right-of-way (ROW) on NFS lands. Approximately 1.6 miles will be overhead and within a 100-foot-wide ROW and approximately 1.7 miles will be buried underground within a temporary 50-foot-wide and final 30-foot-wide ROW. Other activities authorized will include clearing and removal of hazard trees and vegetation within the ROW; conductor stringing and splicing work; staging and access via vehicle, all-terrain vehicle (ATV), and helicopter; and maintenance and patrolling. The EA and draft DN/FONSI are available upon request at the Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District Office, 24747 US Hwy 24, Minturn, CO 81645. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MST, excluding holidays. These documents are also available at the White River National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/projects/57224. The HCE Avon-Gilman 115-kV Transmission Line project is an activity implementing a land management plan. The Responsible Official’s decision regarding the proposed project is subject to pre-decisional administrative review under subparts A and B of 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 218. How to file an Objection and Timeframe Objections, including attachments, must be filed with the appropriate reviewing officer within 45 calendar days following publication of this notice in the Glenwood Springs Post Independent, the newspaper of record. The publication date in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection. Objectors should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source. It is the objector’s responsibility to ensure timely filing of a written objection with the reviewing officer pursuant to 36 CFR 218.9. Objections will only be accepted from those who have previously submitted timely, specific written comments regarding the proposed project during scoping or other designated opportunities for public comment in accordance with 36 CFR 218.5(a). Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted timely, specific written comments regarding the proposed project unless the issue is based on new information arising after the designated comment opportunities. The objection must contain the minimum content requirements specified in 36 CFR 218.8(d) and incorporation of documents by reference is permitted only as provided in 36 CFR 218.8(b). Objections that do not adhere to these requirements make review of an objection difficult and are conditions under which the reviewing officer may set aside an objection pursuant to 36 CFR 218.10. All objections are available for public inspection during and after the objection process. Electronic objections are preferred and must be submitted to the Objection Reviewing Officer online at https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public//CommentInput?Project=57224 with “Holy Cross Energy Avon-to-Gilman Transmission Line Project Objection” in the subject line. Electronic submissions must be submitted in a format that is readable with optical character recognition software (e.g., Word, PDF, Rich Text) and be searchable. An automated response should confirm your electronic objection has been received. Note: any person who wishes to fax an objection, contact Scarlett Vallaire, Administrative Review and Appeals Coordinator via phone at 801-989-6605 or email at scarlett.vallaire@usda.gov. Written objections may be submitted via regular mail to: USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, Attn: Reviewing Officer, C/O Director of Strategic Planning, 1617 Cole Blvd., Bldg. 17, Lakewood, CO, 80401. Objections sent by private carrier or hand delivery must be addressed to: Objection Reviewing Officer, USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Region, Attn: Reviewing Officer, C/O Director of Strategic Planning, 1617 Cole Blvd., Bldg. 17, Lakewood, CO 80401. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MST, excluding Federal holidays, for hand delivery. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Leanne Veldhuis
