APS Fiber- Optic Improvement Project #56974

Issuance of a permit authorizing APS to upgrade an existing 230kV powerline with fiber optic cable through the modification of an existing special use permit.

Laura Jo West, Forest Supervisor of the Coconino National Forest (COF), has prepared an environmental assessment (EA), finding of no significant impact (FONSI), and draft decision notice (DN) for the Arizona Public Service Company (APS) Coconino-Verde 230 kilovolt (kV) Fiber Optic Improvement Project on the COF. The proposed project will modify an existing special use permit for APS to install fiber optic cable on an existing transmission line to improve internet access to rural communities. APS would improve the Coconino-Verde 230 kV transmission line (APS Line Number 230-2), which crosses both the Flagstaff and Red Rock ranger districts as well as state and private lands. The proposed project will replace existing static wire along the power line with fiber optic cable for approximately 34 miles from the APS Coconino Substation in Flagstaff, Arizona (AZ) to just beyond the Verde Substation, located approximately five miles north of Clarkdale, AZ.

The purpose of the project is to provide more instantaneous communications to the communities served by the transmission line through the use of fiber optic cable. Use of a larger fiber optic strand would bring higher speed broadband internet to the different rural communities in Coconino and Yavapai counties. The COF currently administers a special use authorization (permit) for APS to occupy and use National Forest System (NFS) lands for electrical transmission purposes. Under their existing permit (PEA0566), APS has an established 100-foot right-of-way corridor (50 feet on either side of the centerline) for the transmission line within the National Forest. There is a need to modify the permit to authorize the temporary activities to install the fiber optic line. Temporary activities to install the fiber optic cable include use and maintenance of existing roads, use of disturbed areas for material and equipment staging, as well as helicopter use.

The draft DN reflects responses to public comments received and addressed through analysis in the EA. The EA, FONSI, and draft DN are available on-line at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=56974. Additional information can be obtained from: Mike Dechter, (928) 527-3416, mike.dechter@usda.gov.

The actions proposed in the APS Coconino-Verde 230 kV Fiber Optic Improvement Project on the COF draft DN are activities implementing a land management plan and not authorized under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act, and are subject to 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 218 Subparts A and B.

 How to file an Objection and Timeframe

Objections will only be accepted from those who have previously submitted specific written comments regarding the proposed project during scoping or other designated opportunity for public comment in accordance with §218.5(a). Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted timely, specific written comments regarding the proposed project unless based on new information arising after the designated comment opportunities.

Objections, including attachments, must be filed via mail or email to: Elaine Kohrman, Acting Regional Forester, 333 Broadway Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM, 87102;, objections-southwestern-regional-office@usda.gov. Electronically filed objections may be submitted by email in word (.doc or .docx), rich text format (.rtf), text (.txt), portable document format (.pdf), and/or hypertext markup language (.html).

Objections must be submitted within 45 calendar days following the publication of a legal notice in The Arizona Daily Sun, which is anticipated for May 20, 2020. The publication date in the newspaper of record is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an objection. Those wishing to object should not rely upon dates or timeframe information provided by any other source. The regulations prohibit extending the time to file an objection.

For additional information, please contact: Mike Dechter, 1824 S. Thompson St., Flagstaff, AZ 86001, (928) 527-3416, or mike.dechter@usda.gov.

At a minimum, an objection must include the following (36 CFR 218.8(d)):

1. The objector’s name and address, with a telephone number, if available;
2. A signature or other verification of authorship upon request (a scanned signature for email may be filed with the objection);
3. When multiple names are listed on an objection, identification of the lead objector (verification of the identity of the lead objector shall be provided upon request);
4. The name of the proposed project, the name and title of the Responsible Official, and the name(s) of the National Forest(s) and/or Ranger District(s) on which the proposed project will be implemented;
5. A description of those aspects of the proposed project addressed by the objection, including specific issues related to the proposed project if applicable, how the objector believes the environmental analysis or draft decision specifically violates law, regulation, or policy; suggested remedies that would resolve the objection; supporting reasons for the reviewing officer to consider; and
6. A statement that demonstrates connection between prior specific written comments on the particular proposed project or activity and the content of the objection.

Incorporation of documents by reference is permitted only as provided in §218.8(b). It is the objector’s responsibility to ensure timely filing of a written objection with the reviewing officer pursuant to §218.9. All objections are available for public inspection during and after the objection process.

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