The Public Utility District No. 1 of Douglas County has entered a determination of environmental non-significance, (DNS), for the proposed action under the State Environmental Policy Act, (RCW 43.21C), as amended. The lead agency for this proposal has determined that the subject action does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. An environmental impact statement (EIS) is not required under 43.21C.030(2)c. This decision was made after review of a completed environmental checklist and other information on file with the lead agency.
This DNS is issued under WAC 197-11-340(2); the lead agency shall not act on this proposal for 15 days from the date below. Written comments must be submitted by May 23, 2008. Written comments should be submitted to Robert W. Clubb, Ph.D., Chief of Environmental and Regulatory Services, Public Utility District No. 1 of Douglas County, 1151 Valley Mall Parkway, East Wenatchee, WA 98802.
The issuance of the determination of environmental nonsignificance, for which notice is hereby given, is for the following action:
Public Utility District No. 1 of Douglas County proposes to construct a 115,000 volt electrical transmission line that will run between South Nile Substation in East Wenatchee, WA and Rapids Switchyard in Rock Island, WA. The proposed transmission line will provide a second transmission feed into South Nile Substation to increase reliability and provide additional capacity. The line will be overbuilt above an existing 13,200 volt distribution line except the final 1,515 feet. (Reference WAC 197-11-800 paragraph 23c) The existing power poles will be replaced with taller poles (60 to 92 feet tall) that will then support both the new 115,000 volt transmission line, the current 13,200 volt distribution lines that are on the existing poles and additional distribution lines found adjacent to the proposed transmission line overbuild. The final 1,515 feet of new transmission line will run across unimproved, scrub sagebrush, hillside and enter into an existing transmission line corridor and connect to Rapids Switchyard.
The proposed 115,000 volt transmission line will come out of South Nile Substation located in Section 17, Township 22 N., Range 21 EWM, Douglas County. It will run south on the west side of S Nile Avenue, East Wenatchee, turn and run east on the north side of SE 8th Street, East Wenatchee, then head south on the west side of S Union Street, East Wenatchee. The transmission line turns and runs east along the south side of SE 10th Street, East Wenatchee, and through soft fruit orchards until it enters S Ward Street, East Wenatchee. At S Ward Street, the transmission line runs south down a hill to the south side of State Highway 28, East Wenatchee and enters State Highway 28 right-of-way at mile post 6. The transmission line runs along State Highway 28 right-of-way for approximately 1.5 miles and then turns north towards Center Avenue, Rock Island, crossing State Highway 28 to Riverside Drive, Rock Island. The transmission line turns east at Riverside Drive, Rock Island, and crosses under two BPA transmission lines and into a soft fruit orchard between Center Avenue and Douglas Street in Rock Island and then connects to Rapids Switchyard. The completed transmission line will be 5.8 miles long and is found within Sections 17, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27, Township 22 N., Range 21 EWM.
Dated this 30th day of April, 2008Public Utility District No. 1 of Douglas County, WA
Robert W. Clubb, Ph. D.Chief of Environmental and Regulatory Services
