Transcription
DOE/EIS-01 03Environmental Impact StatementNEW ENGLAND/HYDRO-QUEBEC 450-kVDIRECT CURRENT TRANSMISSION LINEINTERCONNECTIONJanuary 1984U.S. Department of EnergyAssistant Secretary for Environmental Protection,Safety, and Emergency PreparednessDeputy Assistant Secretary for Environment,Safety, and Health
This report has been reproduced directly from the best available copy.Available from the National Technical Information Service, U. S. Department of Commerce, Springfield,Virginia 22161.Price: Printed Copy Al3Microfiche AO 1Codes are used for pncmg all publications. The code is determined by the number of pages in thepublication. Information pertaining to the pricing codes can be found in the current issues of the followingpublications,whicharegenerallyavailable inmost libraries:Energy Research Abstracts,(ERA};Government Reports Announcements and Index (GRA and I); Scientific and Technical Abstract Reports(STAR}; and publication, NTIS-PR-360 available from (NTIS) at the above address.
Department of EnergyWashington, D.C. 20585Dear Colleague:Enclosed is the Department of Energy's Final EnvironmentalImpact Statement for the electric transmission line whichwould connect Sherbrooke, Quebec, and Comerford, New Hampshire,This document, prepared in compliance with the National Envi ronmental Policy Act, addresses the environmental consequencesof the issuance of a Presidential Permit to the Vermont ElectricPower Company (VELCO) for the line.VELCO proposed a 450 kilovolt, direct current circuit enter ing the u.s. near-Norton, vermont, crossing into New Hampshire,and terminating at the Comerford generating station,A Draft Environmental Impact Statement was issued in May 1983,The comments on the draft and the Department's responses appearin Appendix C.Within the next few days, availability of this document willbe announced in the Federal Register.A period of 30 dayswill ensue prior to a final decision on issuance of the permit,If you have any questions, please contact:Mr. Garet BornsteinOffice of Fuels ProgramsEconomic Regulatory AdministrationDepartment of Energy1000 Independence Avenue, S,W,, Room GA-033washington, D.C.20585Telephone:(202)252-5935lfJsRobert J. SternDirectorOffice of Environmental ComplianceEnclosure
DOE/EIS-01 03Dist. Category UC-97A, 978Environmental Impact StatementNEW ENGLAND/HYDRO-QUEBEC 450-kVDIRECT CURRENT TRANSMISSION LINEINTERCONNECTIONJanuary 1984U.S. Department of EnergyAssistant Secretary for Environmental Protection,Safety, and Emergency PreparednessDeputy Assistant Secretary for Environment,Safety, and HealthWashington, D.C. 20585
DOE F 1325.8(!).83)Department of EnergyUnited States GovernmentmemorandumDATE:REPLY TOATTN OF:SUBJECT:JAN 1 2 19t34EP-1FinalEnvironnental Impact StatementTO:RayburnHanzlik,New( DOE/FEIS-0103),Line450kV TransmissionEn gland/Hydro trationresponse to your November 16,1983,request we have reviewedthe subject final environmental impact statement. We find that the document satisfactorily incorporates ourprevious comments andhave determined,the Office of the Generalcomplies withCounsel,after consultation withthat thedoc ument adequatelyAccorapplicable requirements.the subject final environment·Iapprover publication.William A.Vaug anAssistant SecretarEnvironmental Protection,Safety,and E mergency PreparednessOfficeConcurDateNonconcurDate
Res p o n sib l e Age ncy :U . S . Departme n t o f E ne rgyEco nomic Reg u l atory Administ ratio nTit l e o f P ropo s e d Actio n :I s s u a nce o f a P re side n tia l Pe rmit to V e rmontE l ect r i c P ower C ompany and N ew E n g l andElectric T ra n s mis sio n C o rpo rationF u rt h e r I n fo rmatio n :Garet A . B o r n s te i nO f fice o f F u e l s P rogramsEco n omic R e g u l atory Admi n i s tratio nDepartme n t o f E n e rgyF o r re s ta l B ui l ding , Room GA- 0 3 31000 I ndepe n d e nce Ave . , SWWas hingto n , DC 20585202/252-5935D e signatio n :Fin a l E nviro nme nta l I mpact StatementA b s t ract :This f i n a 1 e n vi ro nme n ta 1 impact s tatemen t ( F E I S ) was p repare d bythe Eco no m i c Reg u l ato ry Administratio n . The p ro p o s e d actio n o f the Departmen to f E n e rgy is the g ra ating o f a P re side ntia l P e rmit f o r t h e co n s tructio n ,con n ectio n , operati o n , a n d main t e n a nce o f 9 1 ki l omete r s ( 57 m i le s ) o f tra n s mis s io n l in e f rom t h e Come r fo rd S u b s tatio n in Mon roe , N ew Hamps hire , t o theU . S . -Ca n adia n b o rde r i n Norto n , Ve rmo n t .The p ropo s e d faci l i ties incl ude anDC/AC Conve rte r Te rm i n a l at t h e s o u t h e r n te rmin u s of the l in e and ove r he ad 450 kV DC l in e s with a de s ig n capacity o f 2000 MW . T h e p ropo s e d p roj ect wi l lco n n ect t h e Hydro-Quebec Sys tem with the New E n g l and P owe r Poo l Sys tem fo r thep u rp o s e o f economic exch anges o f powe r , increased re l iabil ity o f p owe r s u pp l y ,and decre a s e d re l ia nce u p o n impo rted oil as fue l fo r e l ectric powe r gene ratio nin New E n g l and .The p rincipa l e n vironme nta l impacts o f the co n s tructio n andope ratio n of tran s mis s i o n fac i l itie s wi l l be co nve rsion o f f o re s t l and wi thinthe right-o f-way to s h rub l an d/gras s l and vegeta tio n and vis u a l impacts ins e l ected a reas o f V e rmont a n d New Hamp s hire .
E X E C U T I V E SUMMARYThe p ro p o s e d action is the is s uance of a P re s id e n tial Pe rmit to theVermo n t E l ectric Powe r Company ( VE LC O ) to co n s t r uct , co n n ect , ope rate , andmaintain the U . S . po rtio n o f a high- v o l tage , direct- current ( DC ) e l ectrict r a n s mis sio n circuit exte nding f rom the Come rford S u b s tatio n in Mo n roe ,New Hamps hire , to a Hydro- Que bec s u b s tatio n n e a r S h e rb ro o ke , Queb ec , C anada ;the U . S . po rtio n o f the l in e wi l l cover a dis ta nce o f app roximate l y 9 1 km( 57 mi ) . The p u rpo s e o f t h e p roposed New E n g l a n d I nt e rco n n ectio n is to pro vide re l iab l e t r a n s mis sion fo r a n inte rchange o f e l ectric power between theHyd ro - Que bec Sys te m a n d the New E nglan d Powe r Poo l Sys tem ( N E PO O L ) .It isa nticipated that this interchange wi l l incre a s e the re l iabi l ity of the N E POOLSys te m a s we l l a s decre a s e N E POO L ' s dep e n de nce upon impo rted oil as a fue l fo rgene rating e l ectric powe r .An electric u tility o r o t h e r e n tity p roposing t o b ui l d a tran s mis sio nl in e cro s sing a U . S . inte r n atio na l bo rde r m u s t o btain a P re side n tial P e rmit .Regu l ato ry decis io n - m a king at both the s tate a n d fede r a l le ve l s m u s t comp l ywith e nvironme nta l re view l aws .This e nvironme nta l impact docume nt o n t h ep ro p o s e d p roj ect has b e e n de s igned t o meet the fede r a l req uireme nts o f theNatio nal E n viro nme nta l P o l icy Act ( N E PA ) .The p rincip a l e nvironme nta l imp act o f t h e p roposed p ro j ect wi l l b e thecl e a ring o f about 500 ha ( 1200 acre s ) o f f o re s t l a n d du ring co n s tructio n . As econdary impact f rom c l e arin g wi l l be acce l e rated e ro s io n , which wi l l bes ma l l re l ative to that in d uced by o ngoing timbe r h a rv e s ting in the a re a .Du ring t h e l ife time o f t h e t r a n s mis s io n faci l ity , this c l eared fo re s t wi l l b emaintained a s l ow- g rowing s h rub l and o r gras s l a n d . T h e cl e a ring will amo u n t tol e s s than 0 . 1% of the avail ab l e fo re s t l a n d in the s t u dy a re a and will n o tremove a ny areas o f u nique o r impo rtant h abita t .Beca u s e the a re a to b ecl e ared rep re s e nts a min u te amo u n t o f the f o re s t l a n d in the regio n , n o s e riou simp acts to tim b e r h a rv e s ting o r wi l d l ife p op u l a tio n s a re expecte d .I t is als o a nticipated that t h e t r a n s mis sion l in e will h ave u navoidab l e ,adv e r s e vis u a l impact s at s e v e r a l points a l o n g its route : at the U . S . - Ca n adia nb o rd e r cro s s ing , at s e v e r a l a re a s in the ce n t ra l s t retches o f t h e route , andin the vicinity o f Moo re R e s e rvoir n e a r the s outhe r n te rmin u s .The p rop o s e d l in e was fo u n d to not p o s e a hazard to o r s e rio u s l y affectoth e r comp o n e n t s o f h uman h ea l t h and we l fare in t h e p roj ect regio n .F o u r p rincip a l a l te r n ative co r rido r s fo r routing t h e inte rco n nection we recon side r e d : th ree in n o rtheas te r n Ve rmont and one i n n o rthwe s te rn New H amp s hire .The optim a l ro u ting wa s fo u n d to be the e a s te rnmo s t co r ridor th rough Ve rm o n t .A comp a ri s o n o f the e nvironme n t a l impacts a l o n g alte r native co r rido r routesfou n d none e nviro nme nta l l y p re fe rab l e to the p re fe rred corrido r .
A l ternat i ve s to the p ro p o s e d i n te rco n nect i o n that we re e v a l uated i ncl udep u rchase of power from o t h e r U . S . uti l i t i e s , co n s truct i o n o f new co nve n t i o n a lo r u nconve n t i o n a l g e n e rat i ng capaci ty , u s e o f dece n t ra l i zed e n e rgy s o u rce s ,and e n hancement o f co n s e rvat i o n .I n i ts a n a l y s i s o f the need fo r a powe ri nte rchange wi t h Hyd ro-Qu ebec , the U . S . D ep a rtme n t o f E n e rgy ( D O E ) i nco rpo ratedp rojected i ncre a s e s i n p owe r co n s e rvat i o n and u s e of dece n t ra l i ze d s o u rce s o fe n e rgy .T h u s , i t i s u n l i ke l y that e n ha ncement o f t h e s e s o u rce s wi l l p rec l udethe need fo r the i nt e rco n nect i o n . Fo r DOE , the "no act i o n" a l ternati ve wo u l dbe e q u i va l e n t to de n i a l o f a P e rm i t to the App l i ca n t .I f D O E we re t o deny a P e rm i t fo r t h e p roposed i nt e rco n nect i o n , theApp l i cant cou l d i mp l eme nt a n a l te rnat i ve act i o n fo r obta i n i ng the nece s s a rycapaci ty to red uce i ts dependence upon i mpo rted o i l . I f the status quo we rema i n ta i n e d , N E POO L wo u l d rema i n v u l n e rab l e to the cha n ge s i n s up p l y and co s tof oi l .A l l a l terna t i ve s o u rce s o f powe r wo u l d e n ta i l e n v i ro nme n t a l i mpactsthat may d i ffer i n qua l i ty f rom t h o s e a s soci ated w i th the i nt e rco n nect i o n .The a na l ys i s fo u n d n o a l te rnati ve e n v i ronme n ta l l y p re fe rab l e to the p roposedi nte rco n nect i o n .ii
CONTENTSP ageE X ECUT I V E SUMMARYL I ST O F F I G U RE SL I ST O F TAB L E S . .iviiv i ii1.P U RP O S E AND N E ED1 . 1 I nt roduction1 . 2 P roj ect S ummary a n d P u rp o s e1 . 2 . 1 E n e rgy Contract . . . .1 . 2 . 2 E n e rgy B a n king Agre eme n t1 . 2 . 3 I nte rco n nect i o n Agreeme n t1 . 3 C o s t- B e n e fit o f P ro p o s ed Act i o n1 . 4 Re s o u rce Plan a n d S upply Req u i reme n t sRe f e re nces . . . . . . . . . . . .1-11-11-11- 21-21-21-31-41-82.P ROPOSED P ROJ ECT AND ITS A LT E RNAT I VES2 . 1 P ro p o s e d Act i o n . . . . . . . . . .2 . 1 . 1 P ropo s e d Route . . . . . . . .2 . 1 . 1 . 1 C o r r i d o r Ro ute S elect i o n2 . 1 . 1 . 2 De scri ptio n o f t h e P ro p o s e d Ro ute2 . 1 . 2 De sign D e s crip t i o n2 . 1 . 2 . 1 D e s i gn Speci f i cat i o n s2 . 1 . 2 . 2 S upport S tructures2 . 1 . 2 . 3 Co nverter T e rmi n a l2 . 1 . 3 C o n s truct i o n Act i v i t i e s .2 . 1 . 3 . 1 S u rv eyi n g Act i v i t i e s2 . 1 . 3 . 2 R i ght- o f-Way Cle a r i ng a n d Mai n t e na nce P ractices2 . 1 . 3 . 3 Acce s s R o a d C o n s t ruct i o n2 . 1 . 3 . 4 S upport Towe r I n s tallati o n2 . 1 . 3 . 5 F ram i n g a n d S t r i n g i ng . . . . . . .2 . 1 . 3 . 6 C o n v e rt e r Te rm i nal . . . . . . . .2 . 1 . 3 . 7 Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 . 2 Alte r n ative Ro utes f o r the I nt e rco n nection2 . 2 . 1 Vermont Opt i o n s . . . . . . . . . . . .2 . 2 . 2 New Hamp s h i re Opt i o n . . . . . . . . .2 . 2 . 3 Compa r i s o n o f P ro p o s e d Ro u te a n d Alte r n at i ve Ro utes2 . 3 No-Act i o n Alte r n at i ve s - - A l t e r n ati v e s to the I nte rcon nect i o n2 . 3 . 1 C o n s t ruct i o n a n d Operat i o n o f a N ew , C o n v e n t i o nalG e n e r at i ng Faci li ty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 . 3 . 2 C o n s tructi o n a n d O p e ra t i o n o f N o nco n ve n t i o nalGe n e rati ng Faci l i t i e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 . 3 . 3 C o n s e rvat i o n , F u el Conve r s i o n , a n d D ece n tralized E n e rgySo u rce s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 . 3 . 4 P u rc h a s e o f Powe r f rom Othe r U t i l i t i e s. . . .2 . 3 . 5 Comp a r i s o n o f Alte r n at i v e s a n d the P ro p o s e d P ro j ectRe fe re nce s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-12-12-12-12-62-62-62-72-92 - 112 - 112-112 - 132 - 132- 132 - 142 - 142 - 142 - 142-172 - 192 - 19iii2 - 202 - 212-212-222-232 - 24
CONTENTSPage3.A F F E CTED ENVI RONMENT . . . . . . . . . .3 . 1 Cli mate , Meteo rology , and A i r Quali ty3 . 2 Land Features a n d U s e . . . . . . .3 . 2 . 1 Topog rap hy , Geology , a nd S o i l s3 . 2 . 2 Agr i c ultu re3 . 2 . 3 F o r e s t ry. . . . . . . . . .3 . 2 . 4 M i n i ng. . . . . . . . . .3 . 2 . 5 Recreat i o n . . . . . . . . . .3 . 2 . 6 Res i de nt i al , Comme rc i al , and I nd u s tr i al3 . 2 . 7 Natu ral Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 . 2 . 8 A i rports , Nav i gat i o n Ro utes , and Tra i n i ng Areas3 . 2 . 9 F E RC- L i c e n s e d Lands . . . . . .3 . 3 Hyd ro l ogy , Wat e r Quali ty , and Wate r U s e3 . 3 . 1 S u r face Water3 . 3 . 2 Grou ndwater . .3 . 4 Eco l ogy . . . . . .3 . 4 . 1 Te rre s t r i a 1 . .3 . 4 . 1 . 1 Vegeta t i o n3 . 4 . 1 . 2 W i l d l i fe3 . 4 . 2 Aquati c E n v i ronment3 . 4 . 3 Wetla n d s . . . . .3 . 4 . 4 Threate ned and E ndange red Spec i e s3 . 4 . 4 . 1 Vegetati o n3 . 4 . 4 . 2 W i l d l i fe . . . .3 . 5 S o c i o e c o n om i c . . . . . . . .3 . 5 . 1 I n s t i tu t i o n a l S e tt i ng . .3 . 5 . 2 P op u l ati o n . . . . . . .3 . 5 . 3 Emp l oyment and E c o n om i c s3 . 5 . 4 H o u s i ng . . . .3 . 5 . 5 Tra n s p o rtat i o n . . . . .3 . 5 . 6 P ubli c C o n c e r n s . . . . .3 . 6 V i s ua l Re s o u rc e s . . . . . .3 . 6 . 1 Lands cape o f t h e S tu dy Area3 . 6 . 2 Co r r i do r La n d s c ape D e s c r i p t i o n3 . 7 C u l t u ral R e s o u rc e s3 . 7 . 1 P re h i s to r i c S i te s . .3 . 7 . 2 H i s to r i c S i te s3 . 7 . 3 P a l e o n to l og i cal S i te sReferences . . . . . . . . . .3-13-13-33-33-33-43-43-53-73-83-83 - 103 - 103 - 103-113 - 123 - 123 - 123 - 123 - 133 - 173 - 173 - 173- 193 - 193 - 193 - 193 - 193-233-233 - 243 - 253 - 253 - 263 - 283 - 283 - 283 - 283-304.ENVI RONMENTA L CONSEQU E N C E S .4 . 1 C o n s e q u e n c e s o f the P ro p o s e d I nterc o n nect4 . 1 . 1 A i r Q u a l i ty . . . . .4 . 1 . 2 Land Features a nd U s e4 . 1 . 2 . 1 Geology a n d S o i l s4 . 1 . 2 . 2 Agri c ulture4 . 1 . 2 . 3 F o r e s try4 . 1 . 2 . 4 M i n i ng4 . 1 . 2 . 5 Rec reat i o n4 . 1 . 2 . 6 Res i de nt i al , Commerc i al , and I nd u s t r i a l4-14-14- 14-24-24-44- 64-84-94 - 10iv
CONTENTSPage4 . 1 . 2 . 7 Natu ra l Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 . 1 . 2 . 8 A i rp o rts , Nav i gat i o n Route s , and Trai n i ng Areas4 . 1 . 2 . 9 F E RC- L i ce n s ed La n d s . . . . . .4 . 1 . 3 Hydro l ogy , Wat e r Qua l i ty , and Wat e r U s e4 . 1 . 3 . 1 S u r face Wate r4 . 1 . 3 . 2 G ro u ndwater4 . 1 . 4 Eco l ogy . . . .4 . 1 . 4 . 1 Te r re s t r i a l .4 . 1 . 4 . 2 Aquat i c . . .4 . 1 . 4 . 3 Wet l ands4 . 1 . 4 . 4 Th reate ned a n d E ndange red Spec i e s4 . 1 . 5 Soc i o econom i c C o n s e q u e nce s4 . 1 . 5 . 1 P op u l at i o n . . . . . . .4 . 1 . 5 . 2 I n s t i tu t i o n a l Sett i ng . .4 . 1 . 5 . 3 Emp l oyment and Eco nom i cs4 . 1 . 5 . 4 H o u s i ng . . . .4 . 1 . 5 . 5 Tra n s p o rtat i o n . . . . .4 . 1 . 5 . 6 P ub l i c C o nce r n s . . .4 . 1 . 6 V i s ua l Re s o u rce s . . . . . . . .4 . 1 . 6 . 1 V i s u a l Impact A na l y s i s C r i te r i a4 . 1 . 6 . 2 V i s ua l Impacts A l o n g the P ro p o s e d R o u t e4 . 1 . 7 C u l t u ra l Re s o u rce s. . . . . . . .4 . 1 . 8 Hea l t h and Safety . . . . . . . . . .4 . 1 . 8 . 1 H V D C E l ect r i c and Mag net i c E n v i ro nmen t4 . 1 . 8 . 2 Pote n t i a l Haz a rds to H uman H ea l t h and We l fare4 . 1 . 8 . 3 H e rb i c i de U s e i n R i ght- o f-Way Manageme nt4 . 1 . 9 Rad i o a n d Te l e v i s i o n I nte rfe re nce . . . . . . . .4 . 2 C o n s e q u e nce s o f A l t e r n at i ve s to the P ro p o s e d I nte rco n nect i o n4 . 2 . 1 A l ternat i ve I n te rco n nect i o n D e s i g n s and C o r r i dors4 . 2 . 1 . 1 A l ternat i ve De s i gn s . . . . . . . . . .4 . 2 . 1 . 2 Ve rmont C o rr i do r Opt i o n s . . . . . . .4 . 2 . 1 . 3 New Hamp s h i re Co r r i d o r Opt i o n . . . . .4 . 2 . 2 Comp a r i s o n o f A l te rnati ve C o rr i do r Op t i o n s4 . 3 M i t i gati ve Mea s u re s . . .4 . 3 . 1 A i r Q u a l i ty . . . . .4 . 3 . 2 L a n d Feat u re s a n d U s e4 . 3 . 2 . 1 G e o l ogy a n d S o i l s4 . 3 . 2 . 2 A g r i cu l t u re .4. 3 . 2 . 3 F o re s t ry . . . .4 . 3 . 2 . 4 Recreat i o n4 . 3 . 2 . 5 Natural Areas . .4 . 3 . 3 Hyd ro l ogy , Wate r Qua l i ty , and Wat e r U s e4 . 3 . 4 Eco l o gy . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 . 3 . 4 . 1 Te r re s t r i a l . . . . . . . . . .4 . 3 . 4 . 2 Aquat i c ( I nc l ud i n g Wetl a n d s )4 . 3 . 4 . 3 Th reate ned a n d E ndangere d Speci e s4 . 3 . 5 Soci oeconom i c . . .4 . 3 . 6 Vi s ua l Re s o u rce s4 . 3 . 7 C u l t u ra l Re s o u rce s.v4- 104- 124-124-134 - 134-164- 174- 174-244-274- 284- 284-284-284- 284-304-324-324-334-334-334 - 4-634-634-634- 644- 654 - 654 - 654- 654-684-684-694-694-694- 704-71
CONTENTSPage4 . 3 . 8 Hea l th a nd Sa fety . . .4 . 3 . 8 . 1 E l ect r i c and Magnet i c Hazards4 . 3 . 8 . 2 He rb i c i de Use . . . . . . . .4 . 3 . 9 Rad i o and Te l e v i s i o n I nte rfe re nce4 . 4 Adve r s e E n v i ro nmenta l E f fects That C a n n o t Be A v o i dedi f P ro j ect i s I mpleme n ted . . .4 . 4 . 1 A i r Qual i ty . . . . . . . .4 . 4 . 2 Land U s e . . . . . . . . .4 . 4 . 3 Geology a nd Hyd ro l ogy . . .4 . 4 . 4 F o re s try and Natu ral A re a s4 . 4 . 5 Ecology . . . . . . . . . .4 . 4 . 5 . 1 Terre s t r i al . . . . . . . .4 . 4 . 5 . 2 Aqua t i c ( I nclud i ng Wet l a nds )4 . 4 . 6 Health a nd Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 . 5 I rreve rs i ble and I rre t r i evable Comm i tments o f R e s o u rces4 . 5 . 1 Geology and Hydrology4 . 5 . 2 Ecology . . . .4 . 5 . 2 . 1 T e r re s t r i a l4 . 5 . 2 . 2 Aqua t i c . .4 . 5 . 3 Soc i oeco n om i c . . . . . . . . . .4 . 6 E n e rgy Req u i reme nts and C o n s e rva t i o n Pote n t i alR e fe re nce s . . . . .5.L I ST O F P R E PA R E RS4- 724- 724 - 724- 734- 734-734- 734- 734- 744 - 744- 744- 744- 744- 754 - 754- 754 - 754- 754 - 754 - 764-775- 1. .A P P END I X A .F LOOD P LA I N/WE T LAND ASS E S SM ENTPROPOSED R O U T E . . . . .A . 1 P roj ect P u rpo s e and Descri p t i o n . .A . 2 Floodpla i n/Wetland E ffects . . . .R e fe re nces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .AND D ETA I L E D MAP S O F T H E. . . . . . .A P P END I X B. FO R ST RESOURCES O F T H E STUDY A R EAB . 1 F o re s t Compos i t i o n . .B . 1 . 1 Maple/B eech/B i rch .B . l . 2 Spruce/F i r .B . l . 3 Wh i te and Red P i neB . 1 . 4 Sp ruce/F i rB . 1 . 5 A s p e n/B i rchB . 1 . 6 O a k/P i ne .B . 1 . 7 O a k/H i c ko ryB . 1 . 8 P i tch P i ne .B . 2 F o r e s t U t i l i z at i o nReference s . . . . . . .A-1A- IX C .COMM ENTS O N T H E D RAFT E I S AND R ES PONSESC-1A P P END I X D.D I ST R I B U T I O N L I ST . . . . . . . . . . .D-1vi
F IGURESPageF i gure2. 12. 22. 32.42.52. 62. 72.82. 9A . laA . lbA . 2aA . 2bA . 3aA . 3bA . 4aA . 4bA . 5aA . 5bA . 6aA. 6bA . 7aA . 7bA . 8aA . 8bA. 9Locat i o n o f the VETCO Study A r e a .Locat i on o f the P ropo s ed Ro uteTra n s p o rtat i o n Routes and Commun i t i e s Alo n g theP roposed RouteP ropo s ed H- F rame Tange n t S t r ucture for the 450- kV DCNew E ngland/Hyd ro-Que bec I nterco n nect i o n .P roposed Angle Structure fo r the 450- kV DC New E n gland/Hydro- Quebec I nterco n n ect i o n .A r rowhe ad DC Te rmi n al Yard Layo utP r el i m i n a ry P ro j ect Schedule for the New E n gland/Hyd ro-Quebec Tran s m i s s i pn I nterco n n ect i o nAlte rnat i ve Corr i do rs i n Vermont .New H amps h i re Alternat i v e C o rr i do r .P ro p o s ed Route , M i le s 1 - 7Wetlands i n the V i c i n i ty o f the P ropo s ed Route , M i les 1 - 7P ropo s ed Route , Miles 7- 13.Wetlands i n the V i cinity o f the P roposed Route, M i le s 7 - 13Propo s e d Route , Miles 12 - 18 .Wetlands and 100-Year Floodplains in the Vicinity o f theP ropo sed Route , Miles 12- 18Proposed Route , M i le s 1 9 - 25Wetlands in the V i cin i ty o f the P roposed Route , Miles 19-25Prop o s ed R o u te , Mile s 25- 3 1Wetlands i n t h e V i cinity o f t h e P roposed Route , Miles 25- 3 1P ropo s e d Route , Miles 31-38Wetlands in the Vici nity o f the P roposed R o u te , Miles 3 1 - 38P ropo s e d Route , Miles 38-44Wetla nds and 100-Year Floodplains in the Vicinity o f theP ropo sed Route , Mile s 38- 44Proposed Route , Miles 44-50Wetlands and 100-Year Floodplains in the Vicinity o f theP roposed Route , Miles 44-50Proposed R o u te , Mile 51-57 .vii2-22-52-62-82 - 102 - 122 - 152 - 162-18A- 2A-3A-4A-5A- 6A- 7A-8A- 9A- 10A- llA- 12A- 13A- 14A- 15A-16A- 17A- 18
TAB LESTable1. 11. 22. 12. 23. 13.23.33.43.53. 63.73.83. 94. 14. 24. 34. 44. 54. 64. 74. 84. 94 . 10A s s ump t i o n s U s ed i n the Eco n om i c Analys i s fo r the N E PO O L/. . . . .Hydro-Quebec I n te rcon nect i o nN E POOL G e n e rat i ng M i x . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P roposed Tra n sm i s s i o n L i ne Data for the New E n gland/Hydro- Quebec I n te rcon nect i o n . . . . . . . .App rox i mate Length o f Vermont C o r r i do r O p t i o n s ,Canad i a n Bo rde r to Co n v e rter Te rm i n al . . . .S ummary o f F oul Weather Reco rded at B u rl i ngto n , VTNatu ral Areas o f Ve rmo n t i n the V i c i n i ty o f the ProposedNew E n glan d/Hydro- Que bec T ra n s m i s s i on L i ne R i g h t - o f-WayS treams to be Cros sed i n Ve rmo n t a n d New Hamps h i re by theP roposed Route a n d The i r P redom i n a n t Game F i s h Spec i e sHab i tat C h aracte r i s t i cs o f Trout S t reams. . . . . . .L i fe H i s t o ry Aspects o f the Maj o r Sa l mo n i ds i n the V i ci n i tyo f the P roposed R o u te . . . . . . . . . .R a re Plants i n the V i c i n i ty o f the P ro p o s e d R o u te Notedi n the Appl i ca n t's F i eld I n v e s t i gat i o n s . . . . . .Hab i tat P re fe rences for Wi l dl i fe Speci e s P rotected by F ede ralo r State Regulat i o n s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P o p ulat i o n Trends a n d P ro j ect i o n s Alo ng the P roposed R o u teVermont a n d New H amp s h i re S tudy Area S i te s L i s ted i n theNat i o nal and State Reg i s te rs of H i s to r i c Place.s . . . . .L a n d - U s e Catego r i e s I de n t i f i ed i n t h e P roposed R i gh t - o f-WayL a n d - U s e Catego r i e s I d e nt i f i ed at the C o n ve rte r Term i n a land C o n nector and Feede r L i n e S i te s . . . . . . . . .Locat i o n s o f C a n d i date Natu ral Areas o f Ve rmo n t Localto the P roposed New E n gland/Hyd ro- Quebec Transm i s s i o nL i ne C o r r i d o r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Value of W i ldli fe H ab i ta t Cros sed by the P roposed RouteC a l culated a n d Mea s u red Elect r i c F i elds ( kV/m ) Und e r P roj ectU HV's V e rmont Te s t L i ne Operat i n g at 450 kV DC . . . . . .I o n D e n s i t i e s Near the P ro j ect UHV Te s t L i ne O p e rat i ng UnderC o nd i t i o n s a n d Pa rameters the S ame a s for the P roposedTransmi s s i o n L i ne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C u rre nt H e rb i c i de U s age by N E ES Compa n i e s . . . . . . .Tox i c i ty Data for H e rb i c i des U s e d i n R i g h t - o f-WayManagement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rad i o I n te r fe r e nce Levels i n Re l at i o n to Voltage Levels a n dSome D e s i gn Paramete rs o f D i rect C u rre n t Tra n sm i s s i o n L i n e sCompa r i s o n o f P re f e r red and Alte r n at i ve C o r r i d o r R o u t i ngOpti o n s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vi i i1-51-62-72-173-23-93 - 143 - 153 - 163 - 183-203-213-294-54-74- 114-214-394-424- 454- 4 64- 484-51
1.1. 1PURPOSE AND N E E DI NT RODUCT I O NO n Decemb e r 11 , 198 1 , the Vermont Elec t r i c Powe r Company ( V E LCO ) f i led a nappl i c at i o n w i t h the U . S . Departme n t o f E n e rgy ( DO E ) t o i n s t a l l and mai n ta i na n elec t r i c tra n sm i s s i o n li ne that w i l l c r o s s the U.S . - Canad i a n b o rde r . AP re s i de n t i al P e rm i t i s req u i red fo r the c o n s t ru ct i o n , operati o n , and mai nte nance o f elec t r i c al t ra n sm i s s i o n fac i l i t i es t h at c ro s s a n i nt e r n at i o n al b o rdero f the U n i ted State s . The S e c re ta ry o f E n e rgy has the autho r i ty to grant o rde ny s u c h a P re s i de nt i a l P e rm i t w i th c o n c u rre nce by the S e c retary o f D e fe n s ea n d the S e c retary o f State .T h e li ne w i l l be j o i ntly c o n s t ructed by the Vermont E l ectr i c Transm i s s i o nComp a ny ( VETCO ) , a who l ly owned s u b s i di a ry o f V E LCO , and the New E n g l a ndElectr i c Transm i s s i o n C orpo rat i o n ( N E ET ) . I t wi l l be u sed to t ra n s m i t elect r i cpowe r betwe e n Hydro- Quebec i n Canada a nd New E n gland Power Poo l ( N E POO L ) i nthe U n i ted State s . N E POO L i s a regi o n a l powe r p o o l o f w h i c h V E LCO i s a memb e r .D O E has det e rm i ned that i s s uance o f a P re s i de nt i a l P ermi t for the p ropo sedi nternati o n al transmi s s i o n l i ne wou l d be a maj o r fede ral act i o n that c o u l dhave a s i gn i f i c a n t i mpact o n the e n v i ronme n t . T h e re f o re , a n E n v i ro nme ntalI mpact Statement ( E I S ) i s req u i red . The DOE i n i t i al l y i nte nded to p ro c e s sc o n c u r re nt l y t h i s app l i cati o n a nd a n appli cat i o n f o r a s i m i l ar l i ne i nNew H amp s h i re s ub m i tted by N E E T . O ne E I S cove r i ng the two appl i c a t i o n s waspla n n e d .H owe v e r , i n the.wa ke o f a dec i s i o n by the s tate o f New H amp s h i reS i ti ng Evaluat i o n Comm i ttee , wh i c h e s s e n t i ally den i ed s ta te appro v a l for themai n p o rt i o n o f the New Hamp s h i re route ( the l ower 11 km [6 . 7 m i ] and theconverter s tat i o n s i te and de s i gn were c ommo n to both appli cati o n s ) , N E ETo f f i c i a l l y w i thdrew i ts appl i cat i o n f rom further DOE co n s i derat i o n o n J a n ua ry 3 ,1983 . T he refore , the E I S cove rs the Vermont route opt i o n ( i . e . , the V E LCOapp l i c ati o n ) as the p ropo sed act i o n . The New Hamp s h i re route opti o n ( i . e . ,the o r i g i n al N E ET app l i cat i o n ) i s cove red i n the E I S a s a p r i n c i pa l a l ternat i v e .I t i s DOE's i nte n t t o co n s i de r i s s u i ng a P re s i de nt i a l P e rm i t for thep roposed transm i s s i on li ne pe ndi ng comp l e t i o n of a n acceptab l e E I S and s at i s factory comp l e t i o n o f o t h e r e l eme nts o f the P e rm i t rev i ew p ro ce s s .1. 2P ROJ E CT S UMMARY AND P U RPOSEThe p roposed t ra n sm i s s i o n fac i l i t i e s w i l l be a 450 , 000 volt ( V ) , b i pola r ,overhead , d i rect- c u rre n t ( D C ) l i ne w i t h a rat i ng o f 2000 megawatts ( MW) . TheU n i ted States term i n u s o f the l i ne w i ll be i n the town o f Mo n roe , New H amp s h i re ,whe re a c o n v e rtor stat i o n w i l l be i n s ta l led to c o n v e rt the di rect c u r re n t toa l t e r n at i ng c u rrent ( A C ) and t h u s p e rm i t c o n n e ct i o n to the exi s t i ng N E POO LAC transm i s s i o n sys tem .The l i ne i n i ti a l l y w i l l be l i mi ted to transmi tti ng1- 1
1-2690 MW o f e l ect r i c power b eca u s e t h i s w i l l be the capaci ty o f the convertors tat i o n s . The p ro j ect i s descr i bed i n g reater deta i l i n Sect i o n 2 . 1 .The p u rpose o f t h e proposed fac i l i t i e s i s t o reduce t h e rate at w h i ch theco s t o f e l ect r i c powe r has i ncreased i n the New E n g l and a rea and to red uce thedepe nde nce o f t h i s reg i o n o n i mp o rted o i l f o r the p roduct i o n o f e l ectr i c e ne rgy .The p roposed proj ect w i l l co n n ect N E POOL * w i t h Hydro-Quebec ( HQ ) , the rebyp rov i d i ng N E POOL members w i th acce s s to l ow-co s t hydroe l ectr i c e n e rgy p roducedby the HQ g e n e rat i ng p l ants i n t h e P ro v i nce o f Quebec , C anada . The App l i ca n tw i l l o b ta i n b e n e f i ts f rom t h e p roposed act i o n t h ro ugh t h e execu t i o n o f t h efo l l ow i ng agreeme nts .E n e rgy C o n t ract1. 2. 1Under the E ne rgy C o n t ract Agreeme n t , HQ h a s e s tab l i s h e d a ta rge t o f33 m i l l i o n MWh o f s u rp l u s hyd ro e ne rgy s a l e s to N E POOL over a n 11-yea r pe r i od .Each 2/3 o f t h e tota l e n e rgy e s t i mated t o b e avai l ab l e wo u l d b e pre sched u l edo n a mo n t h l y b as i s at a p r i ce equa l to 80% o f the N E POOL we i ghted-ave ragefo s s i l fue l co s t . The rem a i n i n g 1/3 wo u l d be made a v a i l ab l e on a h o u r- by- h o u rbas i s and p r i ced a t 80% o f the co s t o f N E POOL e ne rgy
New Hampshire, to a Hydro-Quebec substation near Sherbrooke , Quebec , Canada; the U.S. portion of the line will cover a distance of approximately 91 km (57 mi). The purpose of the proposed New England Interconnection is to pro vide reliable transmission for an interchange of electric power between the
