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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.0 BOCC Staff Report 02.09.1998Public Service SUP List of Exhibits Exhibit: Explanation: A. Proof of publication B. Certified mailing receipts C. Copy of the application, with all attachments D. Letters of consent from underlying landowners E. Copy of the project information and staff comments, with all attachments F. Copy of the Garfield county zoning resolution of 1978, as amended G. Copy of the Garfield county comprehensive plan for study area 1. H. Letter from Jerome and Kathryn Gamba, dated February 7, 1998 BOCC 2/9/98 PROJECT INFORMATION AND STAFF COMMENTS REQUEST: Special Use Permit for an electrical transmission line upgrade APPLICANT: Public Service Company of Colorado LOCATION: An easement located in portions of Sections 7, 16, 17, 21, 22, 26, 27 and 35, T6S, R88W and Sections 12, 13, 14 and 15, T6S, R89W of the 6th P.M.; generally located in the Spring Valley geographical area, east of Glenwood Springs. WATER: Will not be used SEWER: Will not be used ACCESS: County Roads 114, 115, 120 EXISTING ZONING: A/R/RD; PUD; 0/5 ADJACENT ZONING: A/R/RD; O/S I. RELATIONSHIP TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN The subject area is identified within the Garfield County Comprehensive Plan for Study Area I for medium to low density residential development. Although this type of land use is not specifically discussed for these proposed land use districts, it seems logical that if development is to occur, as identified by the Plan, then electricity will be required. H. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSAL Site Description: The subject area is east of Glenwood Springs and south of Glenwood Canyon, in an area referred to as Spring Valley. Elevation ranges from approximately 7100 feet to 8500 feet and vegetation ranges from pinion/juniper to desert and mountain shrub. Adjacent Land Uses: Land uses adjacent to and on the periphery of the easement principally include agricultural and residential, with recreational land uses scattered along the route. The easement borders or traverses the White River National Forest and lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management. Development Proposal (Proposed Action): Public Service Colorado is proposing a series of upgrades to the existing electrical transmission system. The project reviewed in this application involves installing a new, 115 kV electrical transmission line. The line is proposed to be within an easement of 50 feet to 100 feet in width, running between the Hopkins Substation in Spring Valley, to the Roaring Fork Substation, in eastern Glenwood Springs. The project also proposes upgrading an existing 69kV transmission line to a 115kv line between the Roaring Fork Substation and the Glenwood Springs Substation. Different segments of the line would utilize different structures including self -weathering, single pole steel, three- pole angle structures and H -frame structures. Where practical, structures would be set by a helicopter and moved to the site from a staging area. Need for the Project: Public Service proposes to install the new, 115kV line in an effort to provide reliable service to the ever-expanding customer base. According to the Environmental Assessment, the current line is operating approximately 50% above the "existing reliability limit." HI. REVIEW AGENCY/PUBLIC COMMENTS A. Division of Wildlife Has reviewed the project concluding that the slight increase to wildlife impacts attributable to the Preferred Alternative will be mitigated by avoiding geologic and sociologic impacts associated with other alternatives. DOW suggests that construction be delayed until June 21 to protect deer and elk during calving season; limit helicopter flights between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.; utilizing existing roads and right-of-way to avoid impacts to nesting birds. See letter, page Colorado State Forest Service: Notes that although fire protection is not directly addressed, the removal of interfering vegetation should reduce the fire danger attributable with the transmission line. See letter, page — 7 - IV. MAJOR ISSUES AND CONCERNS Zoning: The project crosses lands that are zoned A/R/RD, 0/5 and PUD. Section 5.01.01 of the Garfield County Zoning Resolution requires a special use permit for mains or distribution lines within all zone districts. Pursuant to this regulatory authority, the application is being reviewed consistent with Section 5.03.07 - Industrial Operations and the criteria contained therein. 1 ] Existing lawful use of water through depletion or pollution of surface run-off, stream flow or groundwater: The applicant proposes to locate structure sites and other disturbed areas at least 300 feet from all water features. Where this setback is not possible, temporary erosion control features would be utilized, including silt fencing and hay bales, water bars or small terraces. 2] Impacts on adjacent land from the generation of vapor, dust, smoke, noise, glare or vibration, or other emanations: Some impacts attributable to line construction are anticipated, generally in the form of noise and dust generation. Noise is anticipated from the operation of the helicopter and heavy equipment, as well as the potential for blasting in some areas. These impacts are thought to be of relatively short duration. The operation of the helicopter may result in the creation and migration of dust in the staging areas and the areas where the poles would be set. Audible noise attributable to the line, at the edge of the right-of-way, is expected to be 24.4 dBA during wet weather and 0.6 dBA during dry weather. 3] Impacts on wildlife and domestic animals through the creation of hazardous attractions, alteration of existing native vegetation, blockade of migration routes, use patterns or other disruptions: Due to the proposed use of Segment A-1, it is anticipated that there will be negative impacts to deer and elk habitat. Habitat in this area is identified as mule deer migration, mule deer winter range, elk winter range, severe winter rand and critical habitat, and known to be bald eagle winter range. Impacts would be mitigated due to the short duration of construction and very limited impact on vegetation. Public Service acknowledges the Division of Wildlife recommendation that no construction occur in this area during the critical time periods (from December 15 to June 21). In the event PSC must conduct operations within this time period, it shall consult the appropriate management agencies. Raptors would be further monitored and if collisions with the line occur, the line may require marking. No impact is anticipated to threatened or endangered species. A permanent reduction of grazing land of 1155 square feet is anticipated to result from construction, 4] Affirmatively show the impacts of truck and automobile traffic to and from such uses and their impacts to areas in the County: Traffic impacts are anticipated to occur; however, they should be of limited duration. Impacts may include minor construction delays, lane closures and perhaps full road closures of short duration. If additional, temporary access is necessary, the access would be reclaimed after construction. 5] That sufficient distances shall separate such use from abutting property which might otherwise be damaged by operation of the proposed use: The applicant has conducted public planning and scooping meetings to gather public input and response to the project. This input has been utilized by the applicant in design of the project. Further, the applicant has received acknowledgment from the landowners who own land that would be crossed by the line to proceed with the applciation. Although there would be negative, visual impacts associated with the siting of hte transmission lines, these impacts would be mitigated to the fullest extent practical. Other Impacts The applicant has assessed socio-economic factors that are attributable to the operation. A work -force maximum of 20 workers is expected, which should be of a temporary nature and have minor impacts. No increase in the provision of County services is projected and housing availablity is anticipated to meet the demand. Due to the anticipated work -force requirment of 20 workers, no Fiscal Impact Mitigation Program would be required. V. SUGGESTED FINDINGS That proper public notice was provided as required for the public hearing before the Garfield County Board of Commissioners. That the public hearing before the Board of County Commissioners was extensive and complete, that all pertinent facts, matters and issues were submitted and that all interested parties were heard at that hearing. That the application is in compliance with the Garfield County Zoning Resolution of 1978, as amended. 4. That for the above stated and other reasons, the proposed Special Use Permit is in the best interest of the health, safety, morals, convenience, order, prosperity and welfare of the citizens of Garfield County. VI. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends APPROVAL of the application and development of the Proposed Action, as identified within the Environmental Assessment and Administrative Record, pursuant to the following conditions: I. That all proposals of the applicant made in the application and at the public hearing with the Board of County Commissioners shall be considered conditions of approval, unless specified otherwise by the Commissioners. All fuel storage shall be in compliance with state and federal regulations governing this type of storage. The applicant/operator of the site shall file an emergency management plan with the local fire protection district and the Garfield County Office of Emergency Management. 3. The minimum defensible space distance for structures and storage tanks containing fuel shall be at least 30 feet on level terrain, plus appropriate modification to recognize the increased rate of fire spread at sloped sites. The methodology described in "Determining Safety Zone Dimensions, Wildfire Safety Guidelines for Rural Homeowners," (Colorado State Forest Service) shall be used to determine defensible space requirements for the required defensible space within building envelopes in areas exceeding five (5) percent grade. 4. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant/operator of the site to control noxious weeds on the site, within the easement. 5. The applicant shall consult with the Road and Bridge Department concerning any lane or road closures that would occur on Garfield County roads, and receive any required permits, prior to closing or limiting access along County Raods. 6. The applicnt shall adhere to all construction and management practices contained with the Environmental Assessment and Administrative Record submitted with the application in this ermitting request. e›Pcu??tiu cii s 7. Construction timelines and schedules shall be consistent with the Division of Wildlife letter dated January 28, 1998. If changes to this schedule are necessary, then the applicant shall consult with the DOW and shall follow procedures outlined by DOW. (, ry S7,� � r u ,✓ /Ia 4,41.1)4i5,401,(. �r 6c(piscv 04,A/pa/11t4,1vr'0 ft-'-ri 5-411( 6r (AJA-4.--ic- • STATE OF COLORADO Roy Romer, Governor DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF WILDLIFE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER John W. Mumma, Director 6060 Broadway Denver, Colorado 80216 Telephone: (303) 297-1192 28 January 1998 Garfield County Planning Department 109 8th Street, Suite 303 Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 Attn: Eric McCafferty RE: PSC Electric Transmission Line Dear Eric: Csa.tamuC.:i.. J7' IY 100 1B97YE A 1$19,7 OF MANAGING YOUR WILDLIFE After reviewing the documents provided and looking at the proposed routes, I agree with the preferred alternative. The slight increase in wildlife impacts will, I believe, be more than offset by the possible geologic and sociologic impacts of the other alternatives considered. Having said that, I will request that you carefully consider the following: 1) Soil conditions will probably prohibit construction during the 15 Dec -15 Apr wintering period, but if the start could be delayed until 21 June, the deer and elk that generally have their young around the first of June should be mobile enough to avoid ground equipment. This request holds particularly true along segments A-1 and H. 2) If helicopter overflights could be conducted between 9AM and 3PM during that period and during hunting seasons, I believe that conflicts and complaints could be reduced significantly. Minimizing flight time by creating a landing/loading site as high on Lookout Mountain as possible should have several advantages. 3) Conflicts with nesting birds, both neo -tropical and resident species, will be reduced by used pre-existing right-of-way and field roads whenever possible. If you have any further questions or need clarification of the above comments, please call me at 927-0153. Thank you for the opportunity to review this project. S ere r mes R. Adams District Wildlife Manager P.O. Box W, Basalt, Co. 81621 DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, James S. Lochhead, Executive Director WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Arnold Salazar, Chair • Rebecca L. Frank, Vice Chair • Mark LeValley, Secretary Louis F. Swift, Member • Jesse Langston Boyd, Jr., Member Chuck Lewis, Member • John Stulp, Member • James R. Long, Member January 20, 1998 Eric McCafferty Garfield County Planning Department 109 8th Street, Suite 303 Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 „IAN 2 1998 % I FOREST GAF �..�.tiisi (y State Services Building 222 S. 6th Street. Room 416 Grand Junction. Colorado 81501 Telephone: (970) 248-7325 Re: Shoshone -Glenwood Springs Transmission Line Wildfire Hazard Review Eric, I read through the Public Service Company's application that was sent to me for my comments. The consultants who put this plan together did not directly address wildfire in any portion of the two documents sent to me. And as I read through the plan.I did not see any potential wildfire problems associated with the installation of the power lines as they impact private property. However, in the Land Use Application Administrative Record (page 2-4) it did state that the company would be removing vegetation so that it would not be interfere with overhead lines. From a fire safety standpoint that does help reduce the potential for a wildfire originating from their facilities. Sincerely, A. Vince Urbina Assistant District Forester PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF COLORADO`" A NEW CENTURY ENERGIES COMPANY January 12, 1998 Jim Nieslanik 7203 County Road 115 Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 Siting and Land Rights 550 15th Street, Suite 700 Denver, Colorado 80202-4256 Telephone 303.571.7799 Facsimile 303.571.7877 Re: Landowner Consent for a Garfield County Use by Special Review Permit Application for the Proposed Hopkins - Glenwood Springs 115kV Electric Transmission Line Dear Robin, Garfield County has requested that I obtain consent from affected landowners to process a Use by Special Review Permit Application. This consent is required to meet a County permit application submittal requirement. Please sign this consent letter at the bottom at your earliest convenience, so we can proceed with an application for a Special Use Permit to Garfield County. Your signature on this letter is not implied to consent to land rights, and in no way gives up your right to contend the application and proposed electric line project. Public Service Co. of Colorado has tried to address your concerns in siting the proposed line and hopes that land rights can be acquired shortly after receiving land use permits from Garfield County and The City of Glenwood Springs. Please fax this letter back to me after you have signed it so that I can forward it to Garfield County within the next day or so. Please put the original letter, with your signature on it, in the mail to me for my file and County records. Thank you in advance for your consideration, cooperation and timely response to this request. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at your earliest convenience by phone at 1-800-621-9427 and 303-5716270, by fax at 303-571-7877, or by mail at the above address. Respectfully, Michael E. Diehl, Project Agent Siting & Land Rights Jams Nieslanik JAN 12 '98 07:32 FR PUBLIC SERVICE -7TH FL303 571 7877 TO 5970927402709874 P.02 PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF COLORADO" A new CINIURY INFIGIFS CONIINI January 12, 1998 Wayne Rudd Rudd Construction 132 Park Avenue Basalt, CO 81621 siting and Land Rights 550 15th street, Suite 700 Oenvcr, Colorado 80202-4256 Telephone 303.571.7799 Faoirnde 303.571.7877 Re: Landowner Consent for a Garfield County Use by Special Review Permit Application for the Proposed Hopkins - Glenwood Springs 115kV Electric Transmission Line Dear Robin, Garfield County has requested that I obtain consent from affected landowners to process a Use by Special Review Permit Application. This consent is required to meet a County permit application submittal requirement. Please sign this consent letter at the bottom at your earliest convenience, so we can proceed with an application for a Special Use Permit to Garfield County. Your signature on this letter is not implied to consent to land rights, and in no way gives up your right to contend the application and proposed electric line project. Public Service Co. of Colorado has tried to address your concerns in siting the proposed line and hopes that land rights can be acquired shortly after receiving land use permits from Garfield County and The City of Glenwood Springs. Please fax this letter back to me after you have signed it so that I can forward it to Garfield County within the next day or so. Please put the original letter, with your signature on it, in the mail to me for my file and County records. Thank you in advance for your consideration, cooperation and timely response to this request. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at your earliest convenience by phone at 1-800-621-9427 and 303-5716270, by fax at 303-571-7877, or by mail at the above address. Respectfully, tchael E. Diehl, Project Agent Siting & Land Rights w &aQ Wayn9-FYudd ** TOTAL PAGE.02 ** JAN 12 '98 07.34 FR PUBLIC SERVICE -7TH FL303 571 7877 TO 5970525253209874 P.02 V,/ PusLie $FieVICE COMPANY OF COLORADO" A NEW CENIWI r CN!!(,IF.f CQMPANY January 12, 1998 Gary osier, Asst. District Ranger U.S.F.S. Rifle District 0094 County Road 244 Rifle, CO 81 650 Siting and fond Rights 550 15th Street, 5te 700 Denver, Colorado 80202-4256 Telephone 303.571.7799 Focaimile 303.571 .7$77 Re; Landowner Consent for a Garfield County Use by Special Review Permit Application for the Proposed Hopkins - Glenwood Springs 115kV Electric Transmission Line Dear Robin, Garfield County has requested that I obtain consent from affected landowners to process a Use by Special Review Permit .Application. This consent is required to meet a County permit application submittal requirement. Please sign this consent letter at the bottom at your earliest convenience, so we can proceed with an application for a Special Use Permit to Garfield County. Your signature on this letter in no way gives up your iiyht to contend the application and proposed electric line project. Public Service Co. of Colorado has tried to address your concerns in siting the proposed line and hopes that land rights can be acquired shortly after receiving land use permits from Garfield County and The City of Glenwood Springs. Please fax this letter back to me after you have signed it so that l can forward it to Garfield County within the next day or so. Please put the nriginai letter, with your signature cn it, in the mail to me for my file and County records. Thank you in advance for your consideration, cooperation anti timely response to this request. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at your earliest convenience by phone at 1-800-621-9427 and 303-5716270, by fax at 303-571-7877, or by mail at the above address. Respectfully, Michael E, Diehl, Project Agent Siting & Land Rights U.S. Fdfest Servirr/Ruraau of Land Management m i Kt4110 rl �C -" /1A44 - 4- c36A. A(0Ao/i4v r i t c: i /L ►1`itc,=4.h' ** TOTAL PAGE.02 ** SENT BY 1-12-98 ; 9:45AM ;CITY, GLENWOOD SPGS.-' 303 571 7877:# 2/ 2 PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY Of COLORADO' A PFM mruev twain co -/ANY January 12, 1998 Robin Millyard, Public Works Director City of Glenwood Springs 806 Cooper Avenue Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 Pine and land 11th. 550 151h strcer, Suitt 700 Denver, Colorado A0202-6256 Tnlaphone 303.971.7709 Fool/milt 303.571.7877 Re: Landowner Consent for a Garfield County Use by Special Review Permit Application for the Proposed Hopkins - Glenwood Springs 115kV Electric Transmission Line Dear Robin, Garfield County has requested that I obtain consent from affected landowners to process a Use by Special Review Permit Application. This consent is required to meet a County permit application submittal requirement. Please sign this consent letter at the bottom at your earliest convenience, so we can proceed with an application for a Special Use Permit to Garfield County. Your signature on this letter in no way gives up your right to contend the application and proposed electric line project. Public Service Co. of Colorado has tried to address your concerns in siting the proposed line and hopes that land rights can be acquired shortly after receiving land use permits from Garfield County and The City of Glenwood Springs. Please fax this letter back to me after you have signed it so that I can forward it to Garfield County within the next day or so, Please put the original letter, with your signature on it, in the mail to me for myfile and County records. Thank you in advance for your consideration, cooperation and timely response to this request. If you have any questions or concems, please contact me at your earliest convenience by phone at 1.800-621-9427 and 303-5716270, by faX at 303471-7877, or by mail at the above address. Respectfully. Michael E. Diehl, Project Agent Siting & Land Rights JAN 12 '98 09:58 City of Glenwood $brings Michael. Cupp, City Manager .January 12, 1998 303 945 2597 PRGE.02 JAN -13-98 12:10 HAL TERELL TEL:970-945-9803 P:02 JAN 12 '91 09.20 FR PUBLIC SER0ICE-7TH FI,13 571 7877 TO 59702856645 P.02 PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF COLORADO" I NFW CfnWVrr 4Nlla'C5 COMPANY January 12, 199$ Spring Valley Ranch Go: Hal Terrell 30 E. Ridge Court Parachute, CO 81635 Siting and land Rights 550 15th Strout, Smit 700 D.nve, Colorado 80202.4266 itI phono 303.571.7799 roeslm.le 503.571.7877 He: Landowner Consent for a Garfield County Use by Special Review Permit Application for the Proposed Hopkins - Glenwood Springs 115kV Electric Transmission Line Dear Robin, Garfield County has requested that I obtain consent from affected landowners to process a Use by Special Review Permit Application. This consent is required to meet a County permit application submittal requirement. Please sign this consent letter at the bottom at your earliest convenience, so we can proceed with an application for a Special Use Permit to Garfield County. Your signature on this letter is not implied to consent to land rights, and in no way gives up your right to contend the application and proposed electric line project. Public Service Co. of Colorado has tried to address your concerns in siting the proposed line and hopes that land rights can be acquired shortly after receiving land use permits from Garfield County and The City of Glenwood Springs. Please fax this letter back to me after you have signed it so that I can forward it to Gartleld County within the next day or so. Please put the original letter, with your signature on it in the mail to me for my file and County records Thank you in advance for your consideration, cooperation and timely response to this request. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at your earliest convenience by phone at 1-800 621-9427 and 303-5716270. by fax at 303'671-7877, or by mail at he above address. Respectfully, Michael C. Diehl. Project Agent Siting & Land Rights JAN 13 '98 13:10 Spring Valley Ranch kik TOTPL PPI;F. J' 'i* 970-945-9803 PAGE.02 ...,lti .... r... :. I i'i.-6 0 9 19998 Jerome and Kathryn Gamba ....b., 705 19th Street ..,._�__._._�_ ....... _.,_ 'l Glenwood Springs, Colorado, 81601 GIAFTi i_D 000v4 Y 970-945-5903, FAX 970-945-4996 Board of Commissioners of Garfield County 109 8th Street Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81601 Re: Public Service Company of Colorado, Special Use Permit Dear Marian and Gentlemen: 7 February 1998 I understand the need to rebuild and upgrade the 69kV line to 115kV on the east side of Town. I also understand the need to construct the new 115kV line from the Hopkins Substation to the Roaring Fork Substation. I am not opposed to either activity, however, I wish to express two specific concerns, as follows: 1. I have examined the maps on file in the office of the County Planner. These maps indicate that the line from the Hopkins Substation to the Roaring Fork substation, will be constructed within the drainage basin contained primarily in the northwest quarter of Section 14 and the north half of Section 15, Township 6 South, Range 89 West, which drains to 19th Street in Glenwood Springs. It appears, from these maps, that the line is to be constructed on the north facing slope of the gulch in an alignment approximately parallel to the flow line to a point approximately 1000 feet east of the Roaring Fork Substation, at which point it will be in the flow line of the gulch. I : \ l 2I 531 \PS C 007.29 8 While this gulch drains an area of only about 0.5 square miles, we know from experience (1982), that thunderstorm activity, in this drainage basin, can produce a substantial peak flow of water and debris. The semi - desert environment of this drainage does not produce a very dense vegetation cover and what is disturbed does not recover quickly. Therefore, extreme care should be exercised in the course of design and construction of the new transmission line so that surface disturbance will be kept to an absolute minimum. I believe that it should be mandated, as a part of the special use permit, that the standard construction/access road that we often see associated with major transmission lines, not be permitted, in this drainage basin, and that the construction be accomplished entirely by helicopter. Additionally, all disturbed surfaces must be revegetated with indigenous plant materials. Page 1 2. My second concern is related to drainage in the immediate area of the Roaring Fork Substation. We know from experience (again 1982) that if properly directed, a major storm event can occur in the above noted drainage basin without causing major damage to structures adjacent to the flow path. The existing grading and topography directs these flows away from homes in the area, as well as the substation, and onto 19th street, where the water is free to flow to the Roaring Fork River and the debris may be later cleaned up from the street. It is very important to note, however, that minor changes in the existing grading and topography, could result in the redirection of a major storm flow to the end that serious damage could result to private homes in the area as well as Valley View Hospital facilities. Therefore, I respectfully request that Public Service Company be required to prepare detailed, site specific plans for any grading or earthwork anticipated to be accomplished in the vicinity of the substation and the mouth of the gulch in which it is located. Additionally, I request that I and the other neighbors in the area be allowed to review and comment on these plans, prior to the commencement of any work in that area. Re eetf- Ily, (________ Jerome F. Gamba F: \ 12153 I \PSC 007.298 Page 2 STATE OF COLORADO Roy Romer, Governor DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF WILDLIFE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER John W. Mumma, Director 6060 Broadway Denver, Colorado 80216 Telephone: (303) 297-1192 28 January 1998 Garfield County Planning Department 109 8th Street, Suite 303 Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 Attu: Eric McCafferty RE: PSC Electric Transmission Line Dear Eric: JAN 3 ,> 199:3 1 I 1B91YE A R SI99, OF MANAGING YOUR WILDLIFE After reviewing the documents provided and looking at the proposed routes, I agree with the preferred alternative. The slight increase in wildlife impacts will, I believe, be more than offset by the possible geologic and sociologic impacts of the other alternatives considered. Having said that, I will request that you carefully consider the following: 1) Soil conditions will probably prohibit construction during the 15 Dec -15 Apr wintering period, but if the start could be delayed until 21 June, the deer and elk that generally have their young around the first of June should be mobile enough to avoid ground equipment. This request holds particularly true along segments A-1 and H. 2) If helicopter overflights could be conducted between 9AM and 3PM during that period and during hunting seasons, I believe that conflicts and complaints could be reduced significantly Minimizing ffight time by creating a lauding/loading site as high on Lookout Mountain as possible should have several advantages. 3) Conflicts with nesting birds, both neo -tropical and resident species, will be reduced by used pre-existing right-of-way and field roads whenever possible. If you have any further questions or need clarification of the above comments, please call me at 927-0153. Thank you for the opportunity to review this project. S.e Ines R. Adams District Wildlife Manager P.O. Box W, Basalt, Co. 81621 4 DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, James S. Lochhead, Executive Director WILDLIFE COMMISSION, Arnold Salazar, Chair • Rebecca L. Frank, Vice Chair • Mark LeValley, Secretary Louis F. Swift, Member • Jesse Langston Boyd, Jr., Member Chuck Lewis, Member • John Stulp, Member • James R. Long, Member January 20, 1998 Eric McCafferty Garfield County Planning Department 109 8th Street, Suite 303 Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 JAN 2 1998 • CIAPFir:L L6.CAJINI f y FOREST SERVICE State Services Building 222 S. 6th Street, Room 416 Grand Junction, Colorado 81501 Telephone: (970) 248-7325 Re: Shoshone -Glenwood Springs Transmission Line Wildfire Hazard Review Eric, I read through the Public Service Company's application that was sent to me for my comments. The consultants who put this plan together did not directly address wildfire in any portion of the two documents sent to me. And as I read through the plan.I did not see any potential wildfire problems associated with the installation of the power lines as they impact private property. However, in the Land Use Application Administrative Record (page 2-4) it did state that the company would be removing vegetation so that it would not be interfere with overhead lines. From a fire safety standpoint that does help reduce the potential for a wildfire originating from their facilities. Sincerely, A. Vince Urbina Assistant District Forester