Shelton-Fairmount Transmission Line Rebuild and Fiber Optic System Replacement Project Draft EA
The following comments were submitted in response to the open comment period described below.
Comments are numbered consecutively as they are received. Breaks in the number sequence result when comments are deleted because they
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Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is requesting comments on the draft Environmental Assessment for the Shelton-Fairmount Transmission Line Rebuild and Fiber Optic System Replacement Project. The EA describes the project and why it is needed, discusses the environmental impacts the project would create, and lists the mitigation measures that would lessen those impacts. The project’s potential environmental impacts are also compared with those of a No Action Alternative under which there would be no transmission line rebuild nor replacement of the fiber optic communication system.
For More Information:
https://www.bpa.gov/learn-and-participate/public-involvement-decisions/project-reviews/shelton-fairmount-no-1-transmission-line-rebuild-project
Close of comment: 9/8/2023
- ShFa-RE230003 -
Patterson/Mason PUD 3Please see the attachment.
View Attachment
- ShFa-RE230004 -
paceThank you for the opportunity to comment on this project. I am very supportive and, in fact, consider the complete replacement to be essentially a no brainer. It is also encouraging that BPA includes fiber optic, which will become increasingly important as a backbone for commerce. The Clean Water Act is a concern, but not to the extent that it applies to all lands that, under previous administrative rules, are considered wetlands; These were put in place, as I recall, during the Obama Administration and was, frankly, a wholesale land grab nationwide. Thus CWA concerns are real but their definition of what constitutes wetlands is subjective and on uncertain legal basis. The CWA comes into place primarily with respect to construction of the replacement equipment. It does not appear that there is a need for construction of additional access routes. One thing to consider when it comes to replacement is the THAD problem in western Washington. To avoid serving as a vector, mitigating steps should be taken, e.g., cleaning wheels, etc., somewhat similar to the program to prevent spread of zebra mussels. Those are details. This project is necessary and should move forward quickly.
- ShFa-RE230005 -
KaufmannOther ways to lessen potential impacts to resources?
Install tall steel structure in the middle of right-of-way to hold power lines. Two problems solved; 1) power lines will be out of the way of trees falling across lines. 2) Have a narrower right-of-way to maintain. BPA will not have to purchase more Right-Of-Way land from land owners. It would be helpful if BPA would contact land owners. I have not received any notice about this along with other neighbors. When BPA sprayed herbicides on the berries they didn't let us or other neighbors know. We had other people and children picking the berries. The berries didn't taste good, come to find out they have been sprayed!!
- ShFa-RE230006 -
LuxDoes the draft EA analyze the resources important to you?
There are general descriptions of the resources present along the project, but no specific details about resources identified within the easement associated with my property. This EA would be improved with maps that show wetland and stream locations and the proposed project route.
On my property at 7140 Cedar Flats Rd there is a small stream crossing the easement from North to South that is a tributary to Swift Creek/McLane Creek. The existing access road crosses the small stream and wetland area and has been heavily rutted by maintenance machinery. During the winter the stream drains a hillside hollow and substantial water flows across the small wetland/floodplain from N to S. The stream flows through multiple paths including the ruts during winter and spring higher flows.
The steam has a small culvert that appears to needs replacement if the access road thru the area will be upgraded as part of the project.
Are there other ways to lessen potential impacts to resources?
If the access road is upgraded as propose thru the wetland and stream section there will be considerable impacts to the movement of water through this wetland, impacting the potential for flood storage and water quality improvement potential provided at this headwater wetland. Realigning the access road to avoid the wetland and stream crossing would eliminate existing wetland impacts and avoid the proposed impacts. Impacts of the access road through the wetland and stream could be avoided by accessing work from the East and West side access road where it is on higher upland ground. If the access road did not cross the wetland and stream this decrease in access road area could be seen as an off-set to other unavoidable wetland impacts in this watershed area.
I have these other comments:
The EA does not describe the mitigation that would be proposed for wetland impacts within the Watershed for my property. For CWA impacts outside of the Chealis Basin a suitable mitigation proposal should be described.
View Attachment
- ShFa-RE230007 -
Winter/WDFWComment received by closing date 09/08/2023 Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Shelton-Fairmount Transmission Line Rebuild and Fiber Optic System Replacement Project spanning the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) substations in Thurston, Mason, Jefferson, and Clallam counties as proposed by BPA. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is dedicated to preserving, protecting, and perpetuating the state’s fish, wildlife, and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities. In recognition of our responsibilities, we submit the following comments for the Shelton-Fairmount Transmission Line Rebuild and Fiber Optic System Replacement Project. Other comments may be offered in the future.
Project Area of Potential Effect:
The rebuild of an existing wood pole transmission line spans the 60-mile-long distance from the BPA’s Shelton Substation in Mason County to BPA’s Fairmount Substation in Jefferson County. The fiber optic cable replacement spans the BPA’s Olympia Substation in Thurston County to the Shelton Substation in Mason County, and from the Fairmount Substation in Jefferson County to the Port Angeles Substation in Clallam County.
Fish and Wildlife Resources and Recommendations:
WDFW previously provided a comment letter, BPA Water Crossing Review_WDFW Comments_final.doc, regarding water crossings that still applies. Both new and replacement culverts and other water crossing structures should be installed and designed following WDFW’s Water Crossing Design Guidelines. Guidance regarding permanent or temporary fords should be followed and can be found in WAC 220-660-190. Please consult with WDFW on appropriate in-water work windows for each stream and follow protocols outlined in the Bypass Design, Installation, and Decommissioning training video.
Several state and federally listed species occupy and utilize habitats located within proposed work areas. Priority species require protective measures for their survival due to their population status, sensitivity to habitat alteration, and/or recreational, commercial, or tribal importance. Washington State Agency databases and local expertise can provide important site specific and
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regional information regarding these priority species. Please refer to
WDFW’s Priority Habitat and Species Webapp and consult with WDFW area habitat biologists regarding potential impacts to listed species.
General recommendations are as follows:
The wood power poles that are treated with Pentachlorophenol (oil-based preservative) which has been documented to leak from the top and down over the wrapping at the base. To prevent this preservative from leeching into soils and waterways and impacting fish and wildlife, WDFW recommends that the entire pole should be wrapped.
For aquatic species listed below that are potentially located within the project footprint, WDFW recommends consulting with your local area habitat biologist on the range, identified watersheds, and presence of identified species below:
Olympic Mudminnow are identified as a priority species and are found only in Washington State. Currently verified Olympic Mudminnow distribution includes watersheds found in Thurston and Mason County. This species depends on healthy wetland habitat for survival and therefore occupy an increasingly restricted range of habitat as wetland areas decline. Any loss of wetland habitat within the range of the Olympic Mudminnow is an immediate threat.
Bull Trout, Chinook, Hood Canal Summer Run Chum, and Steelhead are identified as a priority species by WDFW and are listed as threatened by the federal Endangered Species Act.
Coho, Sockeye, Pinks, and Cutthroat are identified as a priority species by WDFW.
Pacific Lamprey and River Lamprey are identified as a priority species by WDFW. Pacific and River lamprey are found in larger bodies of water that are also utilized by salmonids. Western brook lamprey are typically found in smaller streams.
Non-aquatic species recommendations are as follows:
Priority Species Keen’s Myotis and Townsend’s big-eared bats, along with the non-priority Little brown bat species may utilize habitats within proposed work areas. These species are particularly sensitive in the summer months when colonies are rearing pups. WDFW recommends limiting removal of trees in various states of decay, as these are important roosting habitats, and ceasing work activities if bats are observed in or around trees identified for removal.
Northern Spotted Owl is identified as a priority species by WDFW and are listed as threated by the federal Endangered Species Act. Northern spotted owls are impacted from habitat loss of mature forests that they depend on, and their populations are low and declining. There are project areas that are within the buffers of documented mating pairs and individuals.
Marbled Murrelet is identified as a priority species by WDFW and are listed as threated by the federal Endangered Species Act. Marbled murrelets are impacted from habitat loss of mature
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forests that they depend on, and their populations are low and declining. There are project areas that are within the buffers of documented mating pairs and individuals.
Helicopter landing pads and helicopter activities should be limited as much as possible within the buffers of Northern spotted owls and marbled murrelets. WDFW recommends that landing pads should not be located within mature forests over 60 years old that can provide important habitat to Northern spotted owls and marbled murrelets. Significant and large trees with a DBH over 32 inches should be retained whenever feasible.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at 360-280-6622 or Elliott.Winter@dfw.wa.gov.
- ShFa-RE230008 -
Larson/Miles Sand and GravelComment received by closing date 09/08/2023 via email
I got the letter regarding comments due on Sept 8 for the Shelton-Fairmount NEPA but I can’t get the link provided to work. Can you send me some information about this project? We have a sand & gravel and ready mix operation in Shelton and I would like to see if there is any impact to our property.
- ShFa-RE230009 -
Hess/Soul Wisdom Gardens and ApothecaryComment received by closing date 09/08/2023
I am responding to a letter referenced TEPF-TPP-1.
Please explain how the Shelton-Fairmount transmission rebuild will impact my property located at 322 Bear Creek Estates Road, Sequim, WA 98382.
Looking at the maps, there is not enough detail to determine where the work will be located I manage a business from this address.
- ShFa-RE230010 -
Rockett/Department of EcologyComment received by closing date 09/08/2023The applicant proposes to remove a structure(s) that may contain treated wood. Please refer to Ecology's publication "Focus on Treated Wood Exclusion," available at: Focus on Treated Wood, for suggested best management practices and disposal requirements for treated wood. All grading and filling of land must utilize only clean fill. All other materials may be considered solid waste and permit approval may be required from your local jurisdictional health department prior to filling. All removed debris and dredged material resulting from this project must be disposed of at an approved site. Contact the local jurisdictional health department for proper management of these materials.
- ShFa-RE230011 -
Malte/Department of EcologyComments received by closing date 09/08/2023.Ecology recommends identifying any cleanup sites that are within, or adjacent to, the project work areas using the What’s in My Neighborhood GIS application, or other method, and reviewing the site information to identify any potential for contamination to be encountered. If contamination related to any cleanup sites is a potential concern, Ecology recommends notifying the site manager prior to performing subsurface work. Any contaminated media encountered during work must be managed in accordance with all local, state, and federal regulations. If any contamination is unexpectedly encountered, please report it to Ecology (per WAC 173-340-300) via the online ERTS at https://ecology.wa.gov/Footer/Report-an-environmental-issue/statewide-issue-reporting-form.
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