Install New Electrical Line-FONSI Amendment

Dear Interested Party:

The National Park Service (NPS) is proposing to replace an overhead electrical line at the Timpanogos Cave National Monument (Monument) in order to supply more dependable electrical power to the caves.

In 2009 the NPS prepared an environmental assessment (EA) for installation of a new electrical line at the Monument. Two alternatives were evaluated in the EA, including Alternative A (No Action) and Alternative B (Construct New Power Line). A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the project was signed by NPS Intermountain Regional Director Michael D. Snyder on July 13, 2009 identifying Alternative B as the preferred alternative and NPS selected action.

Since completion of the NEPA process, technical challenges required modifications to the route of the line in the preferred alternative for key component of Alternative B, Option 1. The NPS requested that PacificCorp, the electric utility provider and owner of the existing line, evaluate a modified alignment which would remove the line from the viewshed west of the cave trail and eliminate the need for construction of new infrastructure near the cave entrance.

In 2014, PacifiCorp analyzed a new route and determined that a line on the east end of the park would be more appropriate and feasible and would result in nearly identical environmental impacts as the line proposed under previous Alternative. The new line would entail a connection to the current next-to-last pole, and would eliminate the need to cross lands within the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.

This new line alternative, Alternative C, is the selected action. The new alternative, including potential impacts, is described in an Amended FONSI. The Amended FONSI is needed to document the NPS decision to implement Alternative C; this Amended FONSI replaces and supersedes the previous FONSI signed in 2009.

If you are not able to submit comments electronically through this website, then you may also submit written comments to me at the address on the letterhead, or make an appointment to discuss this project in person with me. Please provide all comments by October 9, 2015. These comments will be considered for finalizing of the FONSI. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Jim Ireland
Superintendent

Document Content:

Powerline FONSI_FINAL 9-27-15.pdf   (700.7 KB, PDF file) Disclaimer: Links within the above document(s) were valid as of the date published. Note: Some of the files may be in PDF format and can be viewed using the Adobe Acrobat Reader software. You may download a free copy of from Adobe Systems.