Proposal to amend permits(FS) or issue ROW grants(BLM) to replace wood poles with steel poles, adjust ROW width, and identify access roads on electric transmission line where it crosses FS and BLM lands. The line capacity 115kV remains the same.
The USDA Forest Service has prepared a draft Decision and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) selecting the Proposed Action as described in the Final Environmental Assessment of the Public Service Company of Colorado (Xcel Energy) Circuits 9254, 9255, and 9257 115 kV Transmission Line Rebuild Project. The transmission line circuits parallel Highways 91 and 24 near Leadville and Buena Vista, Colorado. The selected action would amend existing agency permits to authorize Xcel Energy to replace wood poles with rust-colored steel monopoles, H-frame, and three pole dead-end structures while maintaining the existing voltage rating (115kV). Other aspects of the project include adding administrative use access routes and design features that would become requirements of the permit. The Responsible Official deciding on this project’s National Forest areas is Ryan Nehl, Forest and Grassland Supervisor of the Pike-San Isabel National Forest & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands (PSICC).
The Final Environmental Assessment and draft Decision/FONSI are available on the PSICC webpage at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/psicc/projects/68946. For additional information about the project, contact Deborah Kill, NEPA Planner, deborah.kill@usda.gov or 719-269-8702.
This project is an activity implementing a land management plan. This activity is subject to pre-decisional objection under subparts A and B of 36 CFR Part 218.
This project initiated public comment after the publication of the proposed amendment to the regulations at 36 CFR 218 in the Federal Register on February 6, 2026 (91 FR 5387). This project and the associated environmental compliance document and any potential decision may be subject to the revised administrative review process if the final 36 CFR 218 rule is published before the project’s objection period is initiated. Otherwise, this project will follow the administrative review process established prior to the proposed rule.
Objections, including attachments, must be filed with the appropriate reviewing officer within 45 calendar days following publication of this notice in the Pueblo Chieftain, 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 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 eligible objections are available for public inspection.
Electronic objections are preferred and must be submitted to the Objection Reviewing Officer online at https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=302692 with “xcel transmission line rebuild project objection” in the subject line. Electronic submission 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.
Any person who wishes to fax an objection, contact Scarlett Vallaire, Administrative Review 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. - 4:30 p.m., excluding Federal holidays, for hand delivery.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
The form below can be used to submit your comments to the responsible project official.
National Forests have the option to post comments for public viewing on this web site via a public reading room. Active reading rooms allow the public to read or download your letter, including your contact information. If this project has an active reading room, a link labeled “Public Comment Reading Room” will appear on the main project page. The agency may withhold letters containing proprietary information, sensitive cultural or habitat locations, profanity, etc. All letters, including those not posted, will be considered and included as part of the project record.
Disclaimer: All contact information is optional; however, anonymous comments will not provide standing to object.
