BLM Considers Tri-State's Transmission Line Upgrade
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MONTROSE, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management is completing a Preliminary Environmental Assessment to amend the existing Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. right-of-way, so the cooperative can upgrade the Montrose-Nucla-Cahone Transmission Line originally built in 1958.
Tri-State proposes to upgrade 80 miles of transmission line west of Montrose to southeast of Dove Creek, Colorado. Currently, the right-of-way contains an 115kV transmission line, and the proposal includes rebuilding the line to operate at 230kV on BLM, National Forest System, state, county and private lands. The BLM is the lead agency responsible for preparing the EA with cooperating agencies including the U.S. Forest Service and Colorado Energy Office as well as Montrose, San Miguel and Dolores counties.
The proposed project uses the existing 115kV 100-foot right-of-way and access roads to the greatest extent possible while amending the existing right-of-way from 100 feet wide to 150 feet wide with about 240 miles of access roads. The proposed project includes newly constructed lines made primarily of wooden H-frames that are about 25 feet taller and 10 feet wider than the existing infrastructure. Additionally, the Montrose and Cahone substations (both on Tri-State property) are upgraded in the proposal.
The analysis also considers realigning the line at the Dolores River crossing due to steep slopes and in the Dry Creek Basin due to Gunnison Sage-Grouse habitat.
A public meeting featuring the project overview is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 16, at 5 p.m. at the Dove Creek High School (525 N. Main St.). To review the project documents, go to http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/district_offices/southwest/TriState230kVRebuild.html.
Submit written comments regarding the project by Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015, to the Bureau of Land Management, Attn: Gina Jones, 2465 S. Townsend Ave, Montrose, CO 81401, via email to blm_co_tristatemnc@blm.gov or by fax to 970-240-5367.
Before including your address, phone number, email address or other personal identifying information in your comment, be aware that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.