HomeMy WebLinkAbout81 - 25 PLANNING COMMISION MINUTES & AGENDAS MARCH 10, 1982 7 OF 9Impacts
b. Biol.ngcal Systems
Short-term disturbances of the biological systems will
be minimal. some tree and brush clearing; Eaill be needed ill Tuolumne
County. This would be mostly oak which will be stacked for wildlife
refuges, cut for firewood or disposed of depending on tho agreement
witli the landowner.
(1) Impacts on Vegetation
Some vegetation clearing is necessary for the
construction of towers, access reads, conductor stringing, conductor
clearance, and assombly areas.. The effect. of vegetative t;laaring for a
transmission line can be appraised in part by vegetative -type density,
productivity and recovery rate. Generally, the growth Iv bit oL a plant
U,e,, grass, shrub, tree) will determine the necessity Of clearing as
well as the planus ability to recolonize an area of ter,' JX has been
cleared. Table 6 displays this information.
TABLE 6 - VEGETATION CLEARING
Relative Propagation
Approximate necessity rate to assume
acres to clear original dominance
Annual Grass C
l Very low 1 year
.4 ha)
Perennial Grass 1 Vere low Extinction
( 4 ha)
Chaparral.
2 1c.,w to moderate 4 to 6 years
S ha)
j Moderate to 20 to 50 years
'frees
(2._8 ha),high�
Total 1.1
(4,5 Iia)
42
Impacts
P (2) facts_on W 1d13to
The
acts
should return to their;labitat11whendlife should 'constructio be temparar
y• Animf�a,t�t
a 1.0 -acre (4.1 ha) reduction in habitatwil] occur0dunmpleted, completed,
C' Socioeconomic S stems
(l) Introduction
Constru
maximum of 50 skilled, technical,of tand he tunskilled on line
will require: a
employed during the 12 -month construction period. PG&,- construction
People Wito will be
crews will commute to th? area or locate'
temporarily. 'a!hcir families
are not expected to relocate.
The additional public services required for these
People should be negligible if the employees commute from towns near
the vol'struction area, such as Oakdale, Jamestown, and Sonora. Addi-
tional police arid fire protection) medical and dental care, and
utilities; sanitary, educat!on, and and services should
minimal. be
On the other hand, the Local economic activity can be
stimulated by the additional employment for the
required uo accommodate increased purchase owerlofe3 local and transient
and services
employees for groceries, motels,
In addition, the trailer 'parks; auto maintenance:- etc,
line, Such activity
P . local tax base would increase by the addition of the
should increase the quality of
small measure. life for loco
residents in a very
l
easement in Proportion to its appraised P Propnre right-of-way
Landowners Will be com ensated for th
tar ;c .from $300 to $1500/acre. The�.ight-of-way r.atnacty values
now
porion of that amount, I nsation is a
materials anmining, manufacturing; and shipping of rhe needed
oonnom�r, d equipment Willhave e small, stimulus to the national
Will reduce
Tile electrical power delivered by the .facilities
dependence on fossil, fuels and add to the economic Well_.
bein of the Btxr
g eau Or Reclamation customers and tha nation.
(2) Demo nhs
Since 1970) this area has grown 10.81ereeht
Population of° "'30;260 to 255;150, Although � � growing
aremnot available, Whets
indicate that Calaves data
compared toe more recent figures
re
as and Stanislausadtndtlterlxpcntnsxuolumne
Counties were losing a significant pro7ortionaofesstheir populations
43
Impacts
in the 20-24 age range. Both Calaveras and Tuolumne Counties have a
higher than average proportion of senior citizens.
The area is expected to continue
percent every 5 years, witto Cti'ow between 10-:18
h the population in the two mountainous count;Lcki
(Calaveras and Tuolumne) continuing to have a large percent of senior
citizens. Calaveras and Tuolumne Counties may provide an attractive
area for urban dwellers to relocate. Stanislaus County will continue
to concentrate the major proportion of its population in urban arsea
as individuals leave the rural, areas For the cities.
The presence of about 50 workers over a 12 -month period
will have a very minor impact. Their impact on the rural setting for
line construction will be short-term and is not expected to hi a
significant impact.
(3) Education
The construction of thy, transmission line will not
create any problems as far as displacement and relocation of pupils.
Not should there be any physical problems regarding the alteration of
existing school district boundaries or the dissolution and creation
of new sc'1001 districts. '
NO influx of the workers and their families is expected,
There should be no significant effect on the school systems. There is
Presently no evidence of overcrowding. Fall 1973 figures show pupal
teacher ratios for the 3 -county area being I comfortable 18.66, which is
well below the State of California standard 25.00 pupils per teacher,
Since there are no displacement relocation problems,
there seems to be rio evidence of a negative or a bene
to this sectori ficial side effect
(4) 81110lovment and Income
The project, based on April 1975 ung
figures, will cost
approximately 4.3 million dollars and employ up to 50 skillgad and
skilled workers, The construction operation will have a technical core
areof workers who anticipate;lwill for L1teeto Localitthabork on the protect, b'ut no Permanent jobs
inhabitants. A net economic benefit to
the regional economy will be the demand far goods and services by the
construction -related workers, It does not appear likely that business --
men will make any substantial capital investments necessary for any
sort of an economic recovery since the project in "itself will, not
create a large enough demand. The total payroll should be nf,arly
one-half million dollars over the l -year construction period.
44
Impact's
(5) Economic Base
The impact of the line upon thit1 3 -county area wili,
affect the local economies oily slightly. the itmnn_di,ste potential
benefits derived from the facilities are twofold: 1) increases in
the tax base, and 2) the presence of the workers ShOUld
rovie a,
small eci,nomic stimulus to a depressed economic system. pHowever
tht magnitude of this benefit will be small and will not be of such
i.ntwnsity to necessitate the expansion of existing service and support
industries,
(6) rliscellaneous Services
table i; The impacts on miscellaneous services are given in
,
Materials for the line, except concrete, will, be
delivered from PG&E supplies outside the area by their transportation
facilities.
Since no families are expected to relocate, only
short periods of motel or trailer park use are anticipated. 1orkers
Will commute to their homes on weekends.
3. Operation and Maintenance Related Impacts
Operation and maintenance related impacts are. long --terns, impacts.,
Impacts on various systems are discussed in the following paragraphs.
a. Physical Systems
(1) portions of the construction roads will be used for
OVeration and maintenance which will make these roads a permanent part
Of the landscape for at least the 50 -year life expectancy of the line.
Existing operation and maintenance roads will be used when 'possible.
About 12 miles of new roads will be required.
(2} Some soil erosion may occur at structure sites on the
completed transmission line and the associated maintenance roads. If
continuing erosion occurs water
near the protect by tke introductiyonlofsomelturbidityrsely into streamsaffectea
,Erosion could also causa deterioration of the soil h6ri2on8, eventually
making reestablishment of vegetation in the area difficult, bust
raised from maintenance vehicles using the access roads in dry season
could also cause a tem otar,i lined decrease in air quality. bust
p ,
will, be very minor as inspection of the line by ground patrol is not a
frequent occurrence,
Impacts
TABLE 7 IMPACTS OF MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES
Sigha.ficant
Service
impact Yes
No
(i)
Welfare and Public
Some additional
x
Assistance
work
(ii)
City and. County
Right -of• -way
x
(General)
recording
(:iii)
Law Enforcement
No new personnel
expected
(iv)
Medical
temple acilities alretidy
x
available
(v)
Social and Religious
facilities should
x
be adequate
(vi)
Recreation
Minor crowding
x
may occur
(vii)
Transportation
Minor traffi:
x
in,-,rease
(viii)
Mass Media
Little
x
(ix)
Mousing
Requirement for about
x
50 temp; workers
(x)
Family Life
No home relocations
x
Impacts
(3) If emergency maintenance is needed during bad weather
conditions, heavy equipment could cause extensive road and vegetative
damage depending on the nature and location of the line trouble..
(4) Electrical effects will be present in the vicinity of
all energized electric lines; the magnitude of the effect will depend
on the physical distance to the line, the line voltage, conductor
diameter, conductor heights, phase configuration, spacing, etc:.
The electrical effects are the result of
(a) Partial ionization of air known as carona.
Associated with corona is radio reception quality, television reception
quality, audible noise quality, and air-quality.
(b) Electrostatic and electromagnetic induction
relative to annoying nonhazardous induced currents pad voltages on
conductive objects exposed to the field.
When air is stressed by an electric field called a
gradient (volts per unit length) in excess of a certain critical
value, the air is partially ionized and corona occurs,
In the case of overhead transmission lines, the
maximum field gradient is at the surface of the conductor and is a
function of the operating voltage, the radie8 of the conductors, the
spacing and position of the phase conductors, and the height of the
conductors above ground. For corona to occur, the maximum surface
gradient of the conductor must exceed the breakdown gradient of air
sufficiently to provide the energy necessary for breakdown. The
breakdown gradient for air is a function of air density and is,
therefore, affected by temper^~ure, pressure and altitude. In
practice, transmission lines are designed to have maximum smooth
surface conductor gradients of 0:6 to M of the theoretical value.
of critical surface gradient required to start corona, However, with
discontinuities such as dust, insects, snowflakes, and raindrops, the
surface gradient no longer is necessarily less than the critical sur
face gradient. At these points, corona discharge may begin,
The effects of transmission line corona, called
radio irate-terence (RI), are primarily in the AM standard broad-
casting band (535 to 1605 kHz). The effects fall off rapidly with
increasing frequency; therefore, Fri and TV reception are Largely un-
affected. The radio interference attenuatesquite rapidly in the
latQral direction and, thetef"ore, is limited to short distances from
the line. The acceptable radio noise level is dependent upon. signal
strength, ambient noise levels and the characteristics of the radio
receiver. The signal strengths vary considerably depending on lo,ca-
UL -.q and atmospheric conditions, The characteristics of all radio
receivers are not equivalent. Occasionally, interference may be
47
Impacts
experienced on some receivers when tuned to a very distant station
and the receiver is near the line.
As a practical matter) PG&E's OXPOrience with hundreds
Of miles of existing 230 -kV transmission lines indicates that the
Construction and operation of the proposed 230 -kV line will not
adversely affect any of the existing radio, television) telephone,
microwave or other communication circuits.
Special consideracion was given to the Sierra
COUServaLion Center radio and television system, (See Appendix J).
A,idible noise associated with the opej:�j,t,.•,j of 'a
230 -kV transmission line is mostly a fOUl weather phallojIlLinon, Audible
noise level under fair weather conditions is generally uadetectable
to negligible* During rain or heavy fog conditions, a low-level
crackling or buzzing sound may be produced which is generated
by corona dischargus primarily from water drople
insulators. ts On the lines or
Under worst weather conditions, the Corona noise at
101 feet (30.5 m) from the outer conductor of the Proposed 230 -kV line is
expected to be 30 to 40 dBA. This level Of noise would be slightly
audible to inaudible under quiet ambient conditions.
In considering the six major ambient air pollutants
governed by Federal ITA and Califorria Standards, photochemical oxidant,
-arbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, '!ulfur diblide, suspended particulate
matter and hydrocarbons, only very mall amounts of photohem" *
oxidants, primarily ozone, and even+Maller amounts of nitric e.de
(Which transforms into nitrogen diox.1 Je) will be Produced b- the high
Wltagc electric power transmisr31on 1i.• e, Nn lead parti,:ul'a'tes or
hydrogen sulfide (also controlled by State standards) 'oill be produced
by the rowerline.
High concentrations of ozc%jjP
u . ean adversely affect
111ir
al and plant life, Is, well as contr't.bt.eing to photochemical smog
under vemlla colillit I Lin,.;. However, the line is not expected to produce
!,iuCJ! high concentrations. Ozone C',oentrations col11Parable to the
global background concenLrations o4' 0.015 to M30parts, per million
(1)/T11) w0ul,d I)Ll exPected in the p--:udominantl, rural setting of the rou'Ze,
The' LYPW; of conductors and lr.uctures bein,, considered for the trans -
to ssion line would add onl,A,' nsignificant atiounts to the ground level
c)lzfte Concentrations nea,, 11L line, even, undIr the worst weather
condition:;~ In the wor.-,t, 28.ther conditions) representative ground
level cOucentrations f v. a 230-1KV tranmiUssion line and a conductor
fivii,ilit of 43 feet (E-1 M) would be .010.13 parts per hundred million
48
Impacts
at a lateral distance of GO feet (12.2 m) from the center phase.l$
This concentration would rapidly decrease a short distance from the
lina. Since the line is routed away from major traffic or population
areas, the other factors necessary to create photochemical smog would
be avoided.
it is anticipated that there will be no harmful
effects due to electrostatiscally induced currents or electro-
magnetically induced voltages resulting from the proposed 230=1cV
line on humans and animals. The design of the transmission line
is based on; 1) minimum conductor to ground clearances that satisfy
the State of California. PUblic Utilities Commission General Order 95
entitled "Rules for Overhead Electric Line Construction," 2) electro-
statically induced currents that do not exceed the human perception
level, and 3) electromagnetically induced voltages that will not
cause annoyance because no line location is proposed which will
parallel any existing long, continuous, insulated, cunductive
object such as a wire fence. Perception level of steady --state
currents occurs at approximately one milliampere. This is the
value of current at which a person is able to detect a slight
tingling sensation in one's hands or fingers.
(5) The Warnerville and Herndon Substations are the
remote line terminals. Warnerville belongs to the city and county
of San Francisco and is located at the end of the proposed linea
Herndon is located north of Fresno. No significant change of
facilities is contemplated.
b,, Biological Systems
(1) During initial phases of operation, vegetation in
disturbed areas will be reestablished by invader species or through
vehabilitiation. Thi will result in localized secondary succession
within the ecosystems. The periodic pruning of trees and shrubs to
maintain electrical clearance will tend to maintain a stabilized
subclimax-type vegetative cover: With the type of clearing proposed
Lt this transmission "line, there will not be. complete removal of
the climax species.
Vegetation at lower elevations is primarily rangeland
and agricultural lands. The natural rangeland vegetation should return
shortly after disturbance, since this vegetation comprises an early
seral stage,
18 Letter from V. L, Chartier, Advance Technology .Research and
Design Engineer, 14estingh6use 'Electric Corp.; Nov. 22, 1972.
Impacts
(2) The transmission line will initially be an unfamiliar
object in the ecosystem and as such, may cause some temporary disturb-
ance to usual wildlife habits. This disturbance is expected to have
a limited impact.
(3) The clearing and pruning of dense chaparral and forested
woodland vegetation communities in some portions of the transmission line
right-of-way will tr:nd to have an "edge" or ecotonal effect for wild-
life populations. This effect is due Lo an overlapping of vegetative
communities whith occurs when one communtty is removed and another
type of community is reestablished. Thc,s tends to naturally increase
the variety and the total amount of wildlife species --particularly
game species which are usually known as edge species. This segment
of the wildlife disperses into the adjacent open grasslands during
the nocturnal or quiet daylight periods, Some of the original organisms
of the forest and plains are able to survive in: the manmade forest
edge, whereas those organisms especially adapted to the forest edge,
notably many species of weeds, birds, insects, and mammals, often
increase in number and expand their ranges as a result of creating
new edge habitats.
In areas where natural flora dominates, weed establish"
ment is desirable for soil stabilization and erosion control. Where
the line crosses rangeland, no vegetative control will be necessary.
If brush becomes too thick to permit maintenance through forested lands-,
control measures will be required to permit access. The areas around
the towers will be reseeded to provide a cover similar to the original.
Areas cleared for stringing the conductors and electrical clearance
will reseed themselves. Because of the ltmited amount of noxious
vegetation, only minimal amounts of herbicides will be used within the
casement. The chemicals will, be plant specific. Typical products that
.G&S uses for vegetative control include!
Tree and Brush. Control
1. Slo-Gro (Maleic llydazide) 1, 2 - Dihydro - 3, 6 - pyridazine-
dione
2. Maintain "A" or CB -125 (Chloroflurenol)
Crass and Weed Control
I. Amino Triazole 3 Amino I, 2, 4 _ Triazole (Amaro]. Weedazol)
2; Roundup 'Isopropylamine Salt of Glyphosate
3. Simazine (Ptiicep 80 W) 2 �, Chloro - 4, 6 - Biscelhylamino -
5 ;- Triazine
4 Spite 1, - (5 tent. bytyl - 10 3 ) 4 - thiadiazol 2 - yl.) -
1, 3 - dimethylurea
50
Tmpacts
These herbicides will be applied in minimal amounts (jo that they will '
not leach into the ground water which averages 5d to ;Db Feet below
the surface.
there ma (4) Although all access roads will have locked gates,
y be a minor increased hunting pressure on game species
during the hunting seasons as a result of new maintenance roads.
During the nonhunting seasons, the periodic instrusions by PG&E
vehicles may displace the game. The degree of displacement will
depend on the kind of intrusion and the frequency of mrlIntenance
road use. However, no major displacement will occur.
(5) Off-season poaching of game may incrcrt:jq as a result
of new and/or better roads only where permanent roads Would be open to
the public as determined by the company and the respect;[ve land
administering agencies or landowners.
(6) Minimal forage and habitat for domestic and wildlife
species will be lost where structural foundations protrude from the
ground at structure sites and along cleared maintenance access roads:
(7) Gases of illegal shooting of avifauna (raptors) perched
on the structures and conductors of the transmission line may occur at
Public use sites since they will be conspicuous targets for people with
firearms: The transmission line will not be an electrocution hazard for
avifauna. As shown in Appendix A, the size of the line, the conductor
spacing, and the spacing between any conductor and ground far exceeds
the wingspan of any ,raptor.
(8) Transmission towers and conductors will provide
Perching and hunting sitas for birds of prey. This increased use
Will occur mostly in intensively developed agricultural Areas with
high rodent population. Raptors will use the structures and conductors
for perching and have easy visibility Of their prey,
c.. Socioeconomic Systems
The following socioeconomic system impacts were considered:
(1) The transmission line will be an unnatural object on.
the landscape and will detract from the scenic values of the a -ea,
These visual impacts will result from the transmission structures,
conductors, necessary clearing of right-of-way) and operation and
maintenance roads. They are briefly summarized on tables 5 and G.
(2) The impact on historical sites will be limited to
an occasional maintenance vehicle passing on a nearby road, The
Primary occurrence is the Willms Ranch (plate 7),
51
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ia1P
x� sh '. rpt ": V 'C' H � tx a t 1 • .n.'
x «x _ hk'� �It4�5a .1� ��, a • im + �t Ct S t 1 e�• ,A t.q i},.11 y
yx ° r,t.;.+"i„�ti,.��.!• 4'.1`�ri { f f.n.. :tip j 9 3YI f wxk�w
t .• �"�Atxh ♦ %i'tL`1t w'x,a".. v ... •it x•. `'�1 ny" r` i µY; �+G."„fYy��+r,'����41 '�5 '�� y^vt4') r�����.
dt
PLATE' 23 : CONNECTION NEAR
WARNERVILLE SUBSTATION
'COURTESY P.G,&E,)
Impacts
(`3) Certain segments of the transmission Une may be
visible from portions of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Overlook
at the Visitor Center (plate 18), Table Mountain-Sierrn Conservation
Center (plate 19), O'Byrnes Ferry Road (plate 21), and State Route
108/120 (plate 22) near the Warnerville Substation (plate 23). The
known presence of the line may detract from the quality of experience
sought by back -country users.: The line will, cross Highway 108/120
once about 5 miles (8.1 km) east of Knights Ferry.
The transmission line is not expected to impair
scenic values of Tulloch Lake; nor will it affect stort,p, See plate
20.
(4) The transmission line will have, at 111(jf., :, a minimal
effect on Tulloch Lake and the adjoining -recreational and residential
use developments: Less than 2 miles (3.2 km) of line wwIll cross
the recreational land near the New 'Melones Switchyard, and less than
1/2 mile (0.8 km) at Green Spring Run. The transmission line will
be on a double -circuit structure, and the visual impact would be
of the structo—as and six conductors
lin (5) All non-Rederal lands occupied by the transmission
e right-of-way are designated on the county land use plans for
agricultural use, The transmission line and access roads may inhibit
some types of possible future land uses, The laud under the conductors
will be available fur wildlife habitat, hunting, dryland f.n,'4ng,
grazing, and other uses consistent with right-of"way agres,4,-encs,
and traversing by vehicle or foot. Exploration or exploitation of
mineral deposits should not be limited appreciably. Some changes
in land use may be preempted by the presence of the line and access
road. Residences will not be permitted under the conductors because
of the electrical safety hazards, Other construction may be permitted
only where it would not interfere with use of the right-of-way.
All right-of-way usage not restricted by the right-of-way agreement
will be determined by the. landowner and appropriate local governmental
regulations,
nuring periodic operation and maintenance of the
line, there will be intrusions on the privacy of landowners whose
land is traversed by the line.
natural" terrain Smae of the recreational potential associated witt
y be y affected by the presence of the
transmission line.
(7) The line could interfere with exploration and/or
development of some mineral resources, However, the line dues not
52
Impacts
cross any act,:U,'v mined or known commercial deposits of any minerrl:ts.
Commercial depo:iits of asbestos do occur in the vicinity ok tternatt
B in the area couthwest of the New Melones Switchyard.
Although the W-0.11. food of commercial deposits is
small., any interference with possible future mineral, development
would result in (1) higher coat of extraction due to relocation of
the transmission line or working,aroun.d the line and structures,
and (2) increased safety hazards. The line and ,.structure may restrict
the size or types of equipment used under or in the iminediribe vicinity
of the line.
(8) The tra :smission line will have minor tq "ects .on
cultivated and grazing lands. The effects include: (1:) the 7.and
surface area utilized by permanent roads and protruding atruc:ture
foundations will be removed from vegetative production, actst (2) structures
in cultivated lands will complicate farming operations. These effects
will, occur throughout the length of the lire although effects on
cultivated areas prim,&lily be in the vicinity of the Warnerville
Substat..on..
(9) in some aieas the line may make conversion to dry
land irrigation more costly. The structures will restrict the size
and/or type of systems that: can be used: The conductors will alk'(
introduce an elect,-Lcal hazard to some types of sprinkler and/cz
pipe systems which Py accid(iatally approach or contact the hig,
voltage conductors, The Oak-...al.e Irrigation District has no ex:UW1,ag
plans to add any Lgation systems along the line.
(10) The transmis^ ". an line could pose an electre,, ut-' --in
threat caused by occurrences c,' activities in the vicinity of L_e
line. In event of a structure failure, tete i.ne would automatically
fault out and be deenergized up , -a hitting the ground. An animal
or human could be electrocuted 'f hit directly by the conductor prior
to contacting the ground,
(11) The proposed transmission line is not expected to
affect navigable air space:
(12) The impact on etnployu►c= is not expected to be sl1gnifi-
cent it terms of the overall. economy, The tax base increase due
to theadditional facilitien should mcre that, of.>set the effects
on socia" institutions.
(13) Mining operations, which would interfere with operation
and maintenance of the line would not be allowed within, the line
easement. This will have little or nu impact on ,Wining operations in
the area.
53
D. MITIGATING AND PROTECTIVE MEASURES
1. introduction
This section presents mitigating and protective. measures
which have been developed by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company
for design, construction, operation, and maintenance.
2. Construction Related
a. Physical Systems
(1) To maintain visual and esthetic iatogrfty, the
following criteria and guidelines are established to mitigariF the
adverse esthetic impacts.,
The transmission line design will utia topographic
and vegetative screening, whenever possible, to blend the
line into the landscape. The proposed route was located
to create the best opportunity to blend structures with
the background.
In clearing for the construction of the transmission
lJne special cate will be taken to minimize- the damage
to the vegetative covet and soil when removing trees
or moving structure components. Dust abatement control
by watering where needed and soil management practices
will be observed.
Limited clearing for access roads, structure sites
and for conductor clearance will help minimize the im-
pacts front soil erosion on the watershed, Along access
roadways; culverts will be installed at waterways. Cross
drains, tolling dips and water bars will be used to con-
trol water flows on the roadways. The cut and fill areae
acceptable to ravegatation will be seeded during construe-
tion,
Many of the areas along the proposed alinement will
not require road construction for access. The terrain
is such that it can be traversed without cutting or filling.
E%,Js'tjftg roadways will be used where practical, Normally,
these roadways are ntpblo and require vary little work by
construction crews. In some areas small check dams may be
installed to Control sedimentation,
54
Mitigation
Treetopping and pruning techniques will be used
where possible to soften right-of-way clearing. Low
growing shrubs and other deciduous s, -..1g will not; ba
removed unless th—Y present a safet oneard to the lite..
(z) Highways and zoned routes of travel will be crossed
at or near right angles. Long tangents of the powerline should not
be visible from these areas. Construction on ridge tops where the
structures would be skylined will be avoided where poagi.ble.
(3) Structures will be designed to blend with their
surroundings as much as possible. This could include varying the
spacing between structures, painting, and other meant ttirrently
available. Leveling and benching will not be alloWad. rouble circuit
towers proposed for the line are shown on plate 7. Galvanized lattice
steel structures, because of their, open appearance, blend effectively
with the landscape at a distance. Weathering will reduce sun reflec-
tions from the structures.
(4) Special treatment of insulators and conductors is
undertaken in areas of high visibility and in areas of heavy population
concentration, Special treatment will be taken with the four Structures
Which will be visible from the USBR overlook. The structures will be
color treated to conform to plars of the Army Corps of Engineers and
the Bureau of Reclamation. Nonspecular conductors for the transmission
lane will be used in areas of high visibility or in areas of heavy
vehicular traffic. Brown insulators will be used in the New Melones
Project area,
(5) Transmission line location will be in accordance with
the guidelines set forth in the ''Environmental Criteria for glectric
Transmission Systems," published by the U.S, Departments of Agriculture
and the Interior. Access will be considered in tower site selection,
(6) An effort will, be made to locate structures for the
new line adjacent to structures in existing lines to minimize
visual impact and the numtar of new spur roads needed. This will be
accomplished for a stretch of about 6 miles (9.7 km) east of the
i4arnerville Substation.
(7) 'Three areas which would have high public exposure
were given special. consideration. These were the Visitor's Center
near the Dam, and Powerplant, Creon Spring Run on Tulloch 'Lake and
the State Highway 108/120 ctossi.ng
The line below the Visitor's Center (Visitor,s Conte
Overlook) will span the river and be partially hidden by a stall ridge.
Plate 18 shows the screening effect of the selected route. The two
lattice steel towers below the overlook will be painted to blend
with their background.
55
Mitigation
Plates 19, and 21 show the effect of crossing
Table Mountain and the Sierra Conservation Center and the O'Byrnos
Ferry Road.
west of thTwo tubular poles will be installed on the hill
e switchyard to harmonize with the switchyard structures.
These poles are for the river Grossi
a Cor -ten finish, ng. They will be Painted or have
The crossing of Tul.loch Lake (FPC PraJrct 2067) at
Green Spring Run was moved to a remote l
the area used by most rocation and elc»v ecreationalists without an undue lane length
3d
increase,
ing effect ofethe pState aHi Hte ighway impact oplate 20. The screen
23 shows the g o / shown on plate 22. Plate
proposed connection near the Warnerville $ 00tation.
(8)As described under 'impacts", special cOft$truction
techniques will be utilized by PG&H to avoid all adverse impacts on
archeological resources. The PG&R Company will continue to consult
with the State Historic Preservation Officer, and the Procedures
for the Protection of Historic and Cultural Properties: (36 CFR 8p0'
Will be fo;lloved. )
If any additional archeological sites are uncovered
luring construction, they will be investigated by ar
rcheologist before construction work is continued, p ofessonal
(9) The Willens Ranch which is shown an plate 17 is
California .Historic Landmark. The r
south of Kn aanch is located b
fights ferry in a bowl -shaped a out 2 miles j3.2'km)
to screen the line from view of the ranch buildinTsline was routed
with the California State Historic Pre$ervation Of8, T
g This was coordinated
(10) r.
The Table Mountain
by the proposed linNatural Area would be crossed
e Special soil conditions create an edaphic
Plant community which is found on the flat table mountain tops,
PG&E contacted Mr. Leslie Hood, executive director of t
Natural ,Arens Coordinating Council, he California
k�e recommended that a botanist
survey the area for the edaphic plant community, He said that the
line construction should not be incompatible with the said
t communitythe
if proper caution is used, PG&H has contractred for a survey to be
completed before construction begins,
(ll) To minimize fire hazard during construction- fire
safety procedures will b
equipment, an approved slash edisposal plat will. will be used on
burning will be controlled by appropriate laws and folloregulwei. A y
(l2) TO minimize danger to aircrafts any airttaft
hazard areas will be marked as required by the. Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA).
56
Mitigation
(13) About 30 miles (48.3 km) Of existing roads and
trails will be used to reduce landscape scarring. In addition,
about 20 miles (19,3 km) of new access road Will be required. The
access roads Will generally follow the contour of
not be located in the bottom of drainages tile land and willproperly drained - stabilized and maintained. Road surfaces will be
ad
POwerline maintenance will be obliterated, reveRoget .9 not needed for
Protective measures taken. ated, and dto8ion
(14) Construction criteria clearly Q"hVeY managementts
desire for environmental control. The company ill, 111tainS strict
control of all road construction needs and u,tiljv
Provisions specifically require the 111:joll, Separate
after construct -ion is complete. restoration tj,[' 0 Impacted areas
t71th the Governmental and private This is normall.y closely coordinated
agencies concl.
,
(15) Rubber -tired vehicles Will, be used to the extent
Possible 80 that damage will be minimal. Track equipment will be
limited to conductor installation and temporary work to maintain
Service during construction.
as required, (16) Vehicles will be equipped with emission controls
(17) "Tension stringing" is utilized to install con-
ductor8, This method eliminates the need for driving down the
right-of-way with tractors to Place the conductors. T,
herefove,
trees can be trimmed Instead, of removed, And underbrush is left
undisturbed except for trails.
(18) Construction techniques
Impacts .on surface and ground which Will minimize adverse
water resulti"3
,ri,'Om turbidity, pol-
lutant isaharbe or spillage will be used.
(19) Care will be taken
astride known seismic faults, en to 'avoid
Placing twers directly
geologic hazard. landslides or Othur areasoof potential
PG&E Procedures In locating transmission
Structures inclu de
a land stability a8sessmenP, by experienced
engineers. In areas of speclal concern,
staff is elicited, Opinion from the geological
it is -not always Possible to locate transmission
lines away from fo,ults; however, tile inherent characteristics of thu
"net allow a lesser degree of concern about an earthquake shaking
Or fault movement than for an inhabited structure. The materials
used to Construct overhead lines have the physical, flexibility to
Withstand substantial move I ments,
be applied include Crossing the fault(s)Additionalasntn
earPrecautions to a 'righhat ca
t anglo-
57
Mitigation
as possible, locating crossing towers as
and employing the use of suspension rattier than strt'hheYt
-far .from e fault ass
passible,
crossing towers to the degree practical,
insulators on
Insofar as the effe^ts of seismic loads induced by
earthquakes on faults at various distances from
history has shown this Co be a minimal r structures
the ones to be used is this , operating
and broken conductor n this
problem, Structures such as
Project are designed for lateral wind
loading that would exceed any seismic loads.
A final consideration deserves mention,
line. Constitutes but. o
ctievent
ne segment of a system designed and Operated to
remain funozial after the occurrence of a Tow Probabilitythe eropossd
such as a damaging earthquake,
b • Bi,�ological 9 ----mss t--. �m�
When trees and shrubs are cleared from specific areas
those Cleared materials may be piled as coveror
instead of burning if the landowner re uests f wildlife
Of Fish and Game recommends this q it` The. State Department
proce
benefiting the terrestrial biology dure as a mitigatio
gY systemn,.. Practice
re -
vegetation, an,effect twg will
ll serveife dua habitat, Disturbed
orenhancing
reasnre-
required for operation and maintenance will be revegetated to restore
the area to a near natural condition, niaturhed areas not
Areas cleared for conductor installation and electrical
clearance will, not be revegetated as these regenerate naturall
structure locations the area used to erect the structu 1
dressed to natural contours and seeded, �' At
construction of access roadways twill be seeded re will be re-
Clearing reflured for the
and will accept seeds. Crass t While soils are soft
tation of the right-of-way types that will be used in the revege-
ryegrass and smooth bromey Will
oats$ann al tyagra'ss
be used,. : perennial
to the area will
C4 Socioeconomic 5 stems
as follows;
Some of the adverse socioeconomic impacts will be mitigated
(l) Landowners will be compensated for right-of-way
easements in accordance with. its appra3.sed valuer
�) The line is routed to a�roid an
or The
of Historical sites. Major y major tdOcations
avoided, populated areas will be
58
Mitigation
(3) Any television or radio problems caused by the line
will be corrected by PG&E.
(4) The use of the right-of-way will be restricted so as
to utilize as little land as is practical.
3. Operation and T3aintenance Related
a. Physical Systems
(1) To maintain visual and esthetic integrity, the
following criteria and guidelines were established to mitigate the
esthetic impacts during operation and maintenance.
aintained
that will Present(
a)m nimumtures impact1ll on ther�environme to a manner
n..
(b) Total right-of-way clearing will not be used:
Fire safety procedures and special equipment will b be used.
(c) Gates to access roads will be closed.
craps. (2) Care will be exercised not to disturb livestock or
(3) Measures to mitigate damage to the soil and watershed
will include specified quality of road and regular periodic maintenance.
These measures will ensure protection of the resources, Any other
erosion related to the presence or operation of the line would also
be controlled.
(4) Extensive road and vegetative damage caused by emergency
maintenance during bad weather conditions will be repaired as soon as
conditions are such that further damage will not occur. Damaged areas
will be restored to such condition that erosion would be controlled
and the natural appearance restored.
ora discharge and the possible ozone generation
radio interference' i
and 110ise would be minimized through select i
of
conductor site and proper' maintenance. CWher'e problems occur; itis the
PG&E policy to try to solve them with the people involved.
b tiological Ssteths
(1) clearing will be heldto a minimum. Soil disturbances
and vegetative damage will be minimized by using existing roads, Annual
seeding and planting along cut and/Ot tall slopes Of permanent roads
Will be repeated until the areas are satisfactorily revegetated and
stabilized. The same general criteria on tevegetatian will be used
59
Mitigation
on all Government and private lands. Access during, routine maintentXtic,t�
and operation activities will be confined to that wlt;tch is necessary
to assure the prcper functioning of the project;
(2) Public access along the corridor vould be :limited,
by private landowners or the land administering agencies, This coi1-
troll.ed access will serve to limit disturbances to wildlife and to
adman species, and reduce the potential fire hazards
with public use. associated
(S) Structures and conductors are separated sufficiently
to Prevent electrocution of raptors,
c. Socioeconomic Systems
The visual impact of the completed project will be mitigated
Ury design, location, and construction techniques. Fences and
--"'r:;' `losi.ngs will be grounded by the company to eliminate
inductivO Control safety features will minimize the elec-
trocution hazard wr. fie event of a conductor or structure fair
In the event of a failurLe, s'aLvmL:ir, safety features will deenerg ze
the conductor.
4, Energy Conservation
Structural, steel will be delivered to ea ,ii structut+m f', ion
by vendor to reduce handling of structural members, in areas where
this type of delivery cannot be accomplished, structural members will
be transferred from the vendor's truths directly to company vehicle[
to keep the handling to a minimum,
The material. (hardware) insulators) ,and stringing equipment
will, be Packaged in the construction yard ahead of time so that only
one trip to a structure site will, be necessary to distribute and spot
material,
The "transmission line is designed to minimize losses and mare
efficient use of materials consistent with costs.
Losses in a transmission line are governed mainly by the
electrical power being transmitted, the line voltage, the line lengths
and size of conductors., The line length i8 considered the shortest
possible consistent with land use and environmental, constraints. The
Power to be transmitted is determined by the electrical demand of the
system the line supplies or generator capability,
A conductor size was chosen to transmit the energy with minimum
108868 consistent with efficient use of materials and costs, Larger
60
r
Mitigation
conductors world reduce losses butwould increase costs and tonnage
of steel awl aluminum (both: of which require energy to produce) dC.s
proportional Co the slight decrease in losses.
41,
P,
s.
E. UNAVOIDABLE ADV$RSE EFFECTS
1. Design and Construction Phase
a. Physical Systems
(1) Some air pollution will be caused r,i dust raised
during dry periods by construction vehicles and froln earthwork
operations. Also, air quality will be temporarily affected by
exhaust emissions from construction equipment and veuicles. These
disturbances would be seasonal, localized, and o., ah.ort duration.
., Actual work would only occur for periods of 1 day to 3, week for each
of the construction operations, which include excavAting footings,
setting stub anglesand pouting the concrete, erection of structures,
and stringing conductors. These activities wjuld occur intermittently,
at all structure sites for the 12 -month construction period.
Air pollution may result from slash burning, which
will be permitted only under special conditions. Air quality standards
are not expected to be exceeded in the air basin involved,
(2) Fire hazards will exist because of construction
activity and the presence of construction personnel.
(3) Temporary localized turbidity will occur in streams
and rivers at some vehicular crossings. Turbidity will be introduced
into the streams during installation of culverts,, however, the effects
would be temporary, Some sediments would be deposiked in the stream
bottom during culvert installations. The amount of deposits are not
anticipated to be in quantities that would stifle the aquatic organisms,
Most deposits would be scoured away during high-flow periods,
(4) Wherever construction activity occurs in ene vicinity
of transmission lines, there will be a safety hazard associated with
possible equipment entanglement which could resultin electrocution
and interruption of power delivery;
(5) Minor disturbances of Uvestoc% may occur'.
b Biological Systems
(1) Vegetation Will be removed at tower sites in the
selectively cleared area, and where rood construction occurs. This
may be considered incompatible wit►i the surround:.t,gs until vegetation
is reestablished, which could take a year for grasses and invader species
and possibly 5 to lD years or Longer for brush and trees, The Oak"
V? midland And Digger pine Communities will be affected, A limited amount
firet•.uod of commercial Value will be removed, There will ue inter-
efit voids uo3er the conductors and cleared corridors for roads in
covexeed areas.
62
Unavoidables
(2) Since this construction activity ig an intrusion oil
the natural environment, the normal movements of wildlife Would be
temporarily disturbed by construction activity. Reproduction proce j(3,8
may be interrupted during construction.
(3) about 10 acres (4.1 ha) of wildlife habitat will. be
disturbed init! lly; however, revegetation should eventually reestablish
most of the habx.tat which is lost.
(4) Temporary noise and dust will occur:
C. Socioeconomic
(1) Noise, caused by construction equipment and the
- limited blasting, will occur periodically during const ucL'ion through-
out the length of the line.
(2) Tho construction of the transmission line will
qesult in an ualities of the areas immediately e adverse act on
the clic and viecau
q �, to the alinement because
of the clearing -,'equiremeats and the intrusions made by the structures
and conductors.
(3) Temporary disruptions of traffic at the 4 road
crossings will occur during the weekdays.
2. Operation and Maintenance Phase
a. Physical. Systems
(1) The proposed transmission line, and access roads, will,
be introduced into a predominantly rural, landscape and will, therefore,
be esthetically-adesirabl.e to some local. residents.
(2) Entry of line patrols at least once a year will occur
with possible additional incursions if major repairs are required.
b Biological S)+stems
(1) 'Topping and pruning of trees may render some species
of trees more susceptible to disease.
(2) Loss of ab•4 ha of out an acre ( ) wildlife habitat in the
Peoria Basin Al.dl.ife Management area.
(3) Periodic invasion of fauna habitats dufttg maintenance
will cause a minor temporary relocation. This would be similar to owner
management activities now occurring. The increase i.l poaching„ huntitg,
and fishing activities, if any, will be negligible because access roads
gates will be kept locked,
63
Unavoidables
(4) Temporary disruptions of some nesting birds may ocetq-
between February and June due to line patrols or m111.11tenance.
C. Socioeconomic
mann routes of)trThelline w ll be visible to travelers where it crcy,wc+,y
quality of experience for back-country users w11x detract from t1t4!
(2) Some Land uses may experience sontr: ndve:rse impacts Such
as property value depreciation due to the presence of the kine on or
near their ;,roperty.
(3) A strip of land approximately
10faeL .5 m
by 23 miles (.17 km) long will be dedicated ttotransmis ti0n0
line)rigl7t-
of-way easement: This could be considered to be adverse by landowners
who might wish to use this land for purposes that tall. ilob be Permitted.
(4) Humid atmospheric conditions, acing on the lines, and
a loosening of conductor mounting hardware might cause a
low haudibl
from file conductor. The humming would be of low pitch and . be audible
UP town estimated 300 feet (91.4 m) from the line. Trees and other vege-
tation would tend to absorb some of the noise and reduce the distance that
the noise is audible, Aly noise from the line would detract from the
esthetic mode of remote, undeveloped, or rural areas usually visited
only by hunters, hikers, fishermen) farmers, and ranchers:
(5) Electrical hazards would result from the presence
Of the transmission line, People could climb a structure regardless of
warning signs at each tower,, however, after climbing, accidental.
contact with a line conductor would be very unlikel
y. jry
would be more probable, Entanglement in the conductorslbyutare# failing
Qccasionalj helicopters an patrols or low--flying airplanes could
occur. Contact by the movement of irrigation or other tall equipment
is another potential hazard associated with the Now 1•ielonus�l�arnerville
results in death.
transmission line, Bost accidental human contact with the conductors
64
!'
g
SHORT- AND LONG-TLRM ENVIRONMENTAL
iJSEg
y
Construction and Onerati,on and maintenance OX.
line will result in bath short-tern.
rtte transmission
and long-term tt1
went. There would be short-term disturbances
vicinity of the
sof the ein
'the
of
t1jnw
yandsrape in tl�c+
transmission line. Some raz•
ari]y disturbed during g ing land will be
construeCion, tetnpor-
for foundations and some l be
$
vegetation wouldabetdistubetions required
struction, the disturbed areas
?
o
r con
would be rehabilitated }�
revegetating with native or adaptive plants y grading and
employment d
ecies, �-
will be ��tiVe la u�iorC-t erm
P only
construction t�orks s,
effect is anticipated on local
Workers.
m
economies, aminor
equipment may have ashort-term
effect on wildlife trtaV%u}1tW 4 iters and
A long-term esthetic effect will re,ault from the
transmission line and
PtVaGnce
long-term Permit --it access roads in the 1, "Cape. o Attie
b term commitment of land.
�
No major effect on wildlife i, rectuired for tate struci,'We locations.
increase the "icipated.
accessibility t., Maintenanc,, roads may
Increase trespassing or
areas. This shorn„ slot
vand materially
gates that are lacked. 'cause all access roads will hav6
�
Additional. "clean"
ever
Preference agencies ill Gal,averas1�TuolumnedCountie to the �Vn loads.
cationand
cation fir and receive u s c, rt make appli-
The occupancy of this
energy,
of the. right-of-way b
tt-te use of the land for liy
some other future usesmisbtasn
can still be used for gratin a land
the land
line could, in the g> dryland farming.,
or recreationThe
future, be relocated but considerable t:•hou'ht
was given to establishing c route
that would avoid the teec,y8s9 Y
of relocating tie line in ttte forseeable
future,
65
G. IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE COMMITMENTS
Numerous _'esources are involved in the construction and oparutiott
of the transmission line. Resources involved include the land on
which the structures are located, raw 'materials such as steel, aluminum,
and concrete, Vegetation disturbed and removed by construction and
the construction equipment, and manpower.
The resources committed irreversibly and irretrievably, due to the
constructio,, of this project, are mainly materials and labor. The
structures, insulators, and conductors could be salvaged, but the
concrete work could not be.
The fuel used by motor vehicles would be an irretrievable commitment.
.iryme of the major resources required Would be apProximately as
follows:
1. Steel 920 tons (828 t)
2i Aluminum 420 tons (378 t)
3. Concrete 950 yd 3 (726.8 m3)
4, Right-of-way 285 acres(115.4 ha), plus about 12
miles (19.3 km) of access roads
Since the proposed project is Lons deved "permanent", the visual
effect of the transmission line is another direct, relatively perma-
nent, irreversible environmental change associated with project imple-
mentation. However, in the event the line becomes obsolete, the
4acilties could be removed and the land returned to its original
use.
66
h ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED ACTION
I. Introduction
A discussion of the array of alternatives that were con-
sidered is presented below. The selection of alternatives was in-
fluenced by the following criteria:
a. The need to ;find a delivery point capable of accepting
the power output- under varying conditions of the 300;000 -kip Jew
Melones Powerplant.
b. The transmission facilities available i .ne area as
shown on plate 24,
c. Existing contract requirements:
z. Transmission Line Alternatives
a. Overhead Single- , sand Do able -Circuit Alternatives
Although rated plant output could be delivered over a
single -circuit, 230 -kV line; a double--circu14 line was chosen for
the reasons that follow:
(1) Reliaoility criteria established require rated
plant output with one circuit out for maintenance.
(2) The plant can be looped into an existing line, thus
eliminating the need for additional. remote terminal facilities.
(3; Reduction in anergy losses un6er normal operation..
(G) Savings over two Single -circuit lines in costs and
right -of --stay, and other impacts:
b. Voltage, 'Levels
The Choice of voltage level for the proposed line was
influenced by transmission needs, reliability, o.conomics, and com-
patibility with the existing systom,,
Voltages considered were 115 -kV, 230 -kV, and 500-1%V.
(1) 115 -kV, Tile existing 1.15 -kV transmission facilities
in the area are incapable of acccpLWg the power outplit of the ltow
Nelones Project, A 115 -kV double circuit tower line would: be inadequate
for the power to be transmittad, and the Power losses would be more than
.for the proposod 230 -kit system,
67
fa ��EEK T a PLATE 24
PROPOSEDJ " �� � ,��St oo,r
4ES 2030 kV
rtfNEW ELO
TRANSMISSION LINE
f �
j"��. � t K 1�..�.--�.�4. � �.,r. 4,��pp c zf• cG � 4s O •o- 'JONX W�
l sr I£'n' �aiayr re 1j
r.F, -
-
.- �_•. —^V c� -�- `T' ar.crla.n �.. sr.�ti-l.�=L.s. ijs - �t �� 2�
•�� �y a' �_£T� Ilk
pyo •� f�.'�y ,o.[r �. ti�a�• Sri. Ea - -c -
s �. r �,Y comet �i�. ',. - z .+'7�.a • f? :`�. �'f:��' ' E�Q,.:ES NF t .
l�✓41Y���M
j
gt-CPR � _•.R^'
o-
51
i7�
�' � ���,� �� s�.a�LT ''vii .y-'.e^•j1���.r� •'«e"�'ctt
d♦ ) '' t +.s ,itt tvi �atn •� 4L. t�� POWER PLANT- NUCLEAR
-
�'� POWER HOUSE-HYDROLj
!!
X tP.G.BE SUBSTATION
T PRIVATE SUBSTATION
a-
17 kV LINES
n4� I W�� lrr:tc.sa ; 60370 kV .CINES
y2 t
s,c__ u ` a�r«yy ( is kV
LINES
,tom R ..'*'. a • yc;,� ,r" k �, :230- kV LINES -
< t 500 kV UN
ES
- r*" ,,.v� ^' .•� F. tui"
0 10
dlJ iti,
t._
MILES:
.ttrt` Fit 4 �.'.e k. '.✓� ,,'`�
rs,
-P.G.&E. STOCKTON DIVISION
t
TRANSMISSION FACILITIES
:COURTESY P.G.&E.
Alternatives
(2) 500 -kV. There is no 500 -kV srstent available in the
immediatearea. The capacity of this class of racil,ities is greatly
in excess of the requirement, Both cost and land ttoe would be
excessive.
(3) Direct Current. The use of d.c. would be exceeding]
expensive for terminals and is not considered appropriate.
c Materials
(1) Structures
Supporting structures ara available in several, Cate-
gories based on the materials and shapes. Poles or tubular construction
generally use bulkier members than lattice and tend to be used in the
urban areas. Alternative supporting structures
below: considered arcs listed
(a) 4Jood_ pole
Wood pole structures were considered but were
not favored for the following reasons:
1. Although they tend to blend inti the wooded
areas; they are more massive than lattice structures and are more
visible from a distance.
damage., 2, They are subject to fire and woodpecker
3, More structures per milts t e required which
requires mote maintenance roads and increases their visual impact,
structure placement. 4• Shorter spans reduce the flexibility of
Poles or towers, 5 Blore maintenance is required than .for metal:
6, The limited supply or wood paler; could be
moire aptly used elsewhere.
7.. Double circuit 'wood structures" are not
,aadily available,
68
Alternatives
(b) Tuuular Steel
Tubular steel structures were considered
for installation south of the Stanislaus River and at the State
highway 108%k20 crossing. The increased cost of about $11,000
per structure did not seem to be justified.
The clean, straight lines of the tubular steel
towers are more compu''ble with high-density use in subdivided areas.
A comparison wit,, la%.,.ice structures for Various backgrounds is shown
on plates 25, 26, 27, and 28.
The esthetic characteristics of ai: object consist
of form, color, texture and pattern. The esthetic characteristic which
differentiates the tubular from lattice structure is form.. The tLIbular
pole has a solid form and mass, thus making it visible truth greatttt°
distances. Thn lattice tower has an open form; its mass is diffust�.
Seen closeup, the base of the tubular pole is
smaller and is more symmetrical and appears less massive than that
of the lattice tower. Potential closeup viewing of the transmission
structures which may occur along the proposed route and alternative
routes A and b are as follows,
Proposed Alternative A Alt?rnative B
State Highway
Cross iugs
County Road
Crossings
Housing
3
Rural, residences
near Oakdale
1
6
Rural resido1 vt"
near Oakdale
I
C
Rural rrtsidence
near Oakdale
Copper Cove
Subdivision and.
near Orange
Blossom and
Lancaster Reads
The state Highway 108/120 crossing is partially scrooned and structures
would be snore than 500 feet from the highway, At this di4tance3 the
visLit impact should be less for towers than poles. A similar condition
exis� I at the O'Byrnes Ferry Road. The Table INlot,itttain Crossing would
vd be
iewed from a distance in excess of l mile, z1s pointed out in the ' be
ti-
gation" Section (page 55), the two structures at the Visitor Center Over-
look will be camoflaged with a grey -green paint to match the terrain.
69
ovs
r.
Et ii Vis'
bw ,�PLATE
AND
.
TUBULAR
PROFILC
• � i'�,.+' t��� '� v k ��i � �yCk � tiY t ,��� ��tn�Fv�SlKii f� � ��,
{t ) to ty� � try, j� � et 1 . tu"u v r t;'' Srr r • `, b+
f P,�y! � �M4v� � i,y�l f �� � `• � z � � yk �i
• I .Lt . �f Wit. }y ±+ \ tH�{t.1�) {��� ,.
• s
1
AL
-
« :.,�. -k gya:7 • a ��' '" �,� Cp ✓5i[ �Si"� � `�Y'� h }w� # - t ris.t � T •a%�
� 14r
`iT •� « - T - .r' i _ t eJ i' �:� aY-'-i . �" _ � -lr i,(,R�,�LNni' `-G ���*Rn''4 _ ♦ �{.. r i
.r s
"' d jt
���-s E_ - � x �e. �' k e • 3' RF�..- r� i F s��9 �'`, i '� 1i'x'�'- ' -, '. t, t F � �s
• 1` ,�� "�`� � '3r g. "r ,a<. Frog 'i '�.k •g �r,r�,� � ;x �
�.,a" _ �+ a s: ....� F a ✓ _ .� � , sJ r.".. - qtr_ «t :'s �".. _- J
.a='�-.�� F��_` gig ��- t z. S''t � - �`.a. .�` s4, -L ..- � i•R .�! fig. G�..c�� '�.�`� �I.$: �A�� �'-f `��:�!"�`F�� t t�: �,tt� �=zey
.. `^ _ # v ✓ pr
i ?� I•' x "4: +.,- r T. -"`1 fir :�,�,at� S'.'". ;'`t tl ..r t r 'i 9r .l t ra
+ s
it
Before,L-attice Tower
PLATE 27
FLAT FOREGROUND
1'CILRYFwr r -&t
Tubular Pole
Y -
•,
•mss- •a. w ` _ r .rt= - .
y
4•�a�. R t� 4 y .v r y a . •. .'�, t .. _ r � � �.4. • +�v+''7�� �� � y�.
_ sZtii f'�.*g.. 1 JR�s'ar - z � - -. - tF•, • >j
ii����ieecc.Y+3.
�_4.
Before
�•-att[ce Tower
Tubular Role:
PLATE' 2
ROLLING BACKGROUND
COURTESY PE SE
Alternatives
(C) Weathered Steel
Weathered steel (ASTM A-5$8) turns rust colored
when it weathers. Some people consider that they blend well with a
wooded Lackground. Insulator contamination may become excessive and
cause flashovers due to iron oxide bleedtig over insulator strings.
Corrosion occurs at conductor connections.
(d) Aluminum
Aluminum structures tend to be more massive than
steel. Special designs are required. They also have bright surfaces
which are dif7tcult to paint or treat. .Anodized aluminum is very
expensive.
1 (e) Coni. ete and ec_ alt
Considerable potential: exists for esthetic treat-
ment using concrete and specialty structures. The additional coats
involved to develop these structures have not been justified.
(2) Insulators
An insulator is a bell-shaped object of nonconducting
1.ateritls such as porcelain, glass, or plastic used to suspend the
conductor from the structure. Individual insulators are strung to-
gether in the length rogvired by the volt;xge of the line. Various
colors are available. Brown was selece�,ad ;o harmonize, with the native
background near the 8wtichyard. Glass iusulators with a greenish
cast Nill be used elsewhere:
(3) Conductors
Each alternating current, circuit h,„ t. ree-phase
conductors. Conductors may consist of One. or more s,,,.onductors
depending on the line requirements. The most common type: of Con-
ductor is aluminum with or without steel supporting cores.
5tanc!ard aluminum conductors are slightly cheaper
but can cause a mihOt amount of glare. Nonreflective conductors
were selectively choge-ft for use in two lye/".�inile (7.9 W sections at
(l) the New iel,cmes Sws..tChyarc?, and (2) State Highway 108/120;
Larger or smaller conductors might have been selected,.
Larger conductors would reduce power losses slightly) but ate, not
economically feasible. Smaller conductors would increase corona noise,
radio ilrlterference,s and power losses.
70
Alternatives
uverhead gt6und wires are provided over the first
1.'-1!2 miles (2.4 km) from the New Melones Switchyardof the line
for lightning protection of substation equipment. Omission would
provide a small reduction of visual.impact, but would jeopardize
station equipment. These conductors are steel -stranded cables,
d Alternatives to the e�nety lle Connect]»on
It is necessary that the power gener'atecl
Powerplant be delivered to Bureau loads. of the New made
to select a deliver Investigations atiohs were made
mental. impacts consistent twith CeconomwoulicalvconstYainSt QdVerse environ -
cases were run to determine the most pra*1 cong da1,i'ver, Power floc
alternative terminals considered are dismtissed y point. The
paragraphs. the 1'01lowing
(1) T_
racy S_ t'3tch and
Tracy SWit cht'ard is the nearest existing Bureau
terminal. It is about 62 miles (99,$km) west: of the New Melones
Powerpl,ant A preliminar,� route is shown on plate 29. Prime ne ht
industrial, light commercial, or farmlands would, be c"osPr The
Population density is generall
ygreater than in the proposed route,
adequately suppliedebyprim
ry load of Six Pump motors at Tracy 18
outlet south is to the PG&t Company Tesla Substation, es from the north. The
are often heavily loaded. These lines
y The introduction of New Melones power
would cause the lines to overload.
(2) San�Luls.5w3Cch`vard
The San Luis Switchyard is about 70 airline miles (1.17 km) �
from New Melones. A 424-w pumpirtg-generating
with the State of r g plant owned jointly
�alifoxnia is located there: Their system would
be able to absorb the power at that lodatian; The primary objection
is the distance involved, and the line would have to crass more of
the fertile San Joaquin Valley farmland than the proposed route.
() 1felone8 115-kAt Substation
The Melonos,ll5-kV Substation is located at the
existing PG&E ritelones Powerplant adjacent to the New Melones Power-
plant: The station is grossly undersized to receive full Platt out-
Put- NO acceptable method cf upgk'ading these facilities to accomo-
date the New rielones potter wa, ! found;
71
Altr 2natives
(4) Bellota 230 -kV Substation
The PG&E Company 230 -kV Bellot:a. Skibgtation receives
a surplus of power Froin their Tuolumne and Feather River plants and
the Sacramento Municipal Utility District Rancho Seco Nuclear Power -
plant. Additional power is not needed there.
(5) Warnerville Substation
The city and county of San Francisco 230 -kV Warner-
ville Substation receives power from the Hetch t-letchy pa.*ojec't plants.
The Warnerville Substation ties to a PG&E Company Bellol.n-lleundon
230 --kV line and to loads iil the Modesto/Oakdale area.
Terminals at tile Warnerville Subst.ntioaa w()ial.d cause
extra construction not needed by the proposed iraciljt< Lcs.
(b) Parker Substation
The Parker 230 -kV Substation being constructed by
the Modesto Irrigation District and associated lines should be
or receiving plant output. capable
The Bureau ha, wheeling rights from thy: Parlrer Sob -
station to the PG&E 230 -kV system near Westley. About 11 miles (17.7
ken) of additional line construction would be required through an
area with a higher populatioin density than the proposed route, This
plan is mo:Ye expansive due to th., higher cost of new construction
than using existing facilities.
(7) Waterford Subgtatjon
The PG&E Company is Considering constructing a major
substation near Waterford Substation which would tie their future
500—kV system to the Turlock/1`lodcgto area load, The subdivision is '
not presuntly scheduled to be completed in time: to provides terminal.
for the New Malones linxN and the location of the substation has not
been ,firmly established,
LI, Al terl ativo t2outes
Three alternat:ive routes to the preferred route were con
sidcred .and they are: (1) Alti�.rnatiw Route A l.ouated in Ca,averas,
Tuoluimte and Stanislaus Counties generally southeast c� the Preferred
route; (:2) Alternative Route l3 locz�i;c ct in Ct lttvur�:is and She Prefer
Counties primarily hrothwest of the Stani;�lAUS rover; and (3) An
underground route through Tuolumne and Stani.-Anus Counties. Table 8
U a comparison, of the alternative routes with the proposed route,
12
{
Table a
COMn,IS4i F OF ;,LTETb`ATIVE ROUTE 111TR PROPOSED ROUTE
(Courtesy PG&E)
Underground
Environmental
Alternative Route A
Alternative Route
Alternative
Conside,:atons
Would through the Copper
Disruption Suring con-
Land hse
Parallels e�L%stzng lines .for
than
go
Cove subdivision, and a
struction--less impact
stland use after' com-
2 wiles longer proposed
land affected..
rural residential area and
on
r.�
roitte—ore
intensive agricultural
Pleton.
lands. 'Near asbestos mine.
Shortest route.. Does not
cross Table lJoun.ta n.
Crosses Route 108/120
it more populated area,
hear Oakdale: Airport.
s
Grosses Stanislaus River
Less impact on scenic
Recreation
Somme
in area designated for
overlooks and on other
o,.ttdoor activities.
conservation_ Crosses
-
Black Creek (Tulloch
Lake) in Recreation. Area.
More costly to build and
Sarre
longer construction period.
Socioeconomic
Same
More noise and deterior-
Same
Sane
ation of air quality during
Noise
construction.
Table 8- (cont`d)
Environmental
ConsiderationsUndergroand
Alternative Route 9
Alternative Route P
Alternat=_ve
Visual.
I'io,e visible than proposed
Crosses near flume, visible
Less impact.
route at Highway 108/120 and
from residences in vicinity
Q'Brynes• Ferry toad crossing,
of Knights Ferry and Tulloch:
Visible when crosser ridge
Lake. Grosses 108/120 in
southeast of Sierra Conserv . ,i-
visible area.
tion Center.
Files traversed
through each land-
scape zonel
irrigated pastures
I_3:
2.1
N/A
,^ dry grazing lands
4,.2
6.7
N/A
hummocky grasslands:
4.7
a
N/A
- riparian woodland
0
1.0
N/A
rolling oak woodland.
10.-7
9.8
'NT/A
dry scrub o4k/digger
pine slopes
3.7
1
1 8
N/9
Table 'Hounta g; Formation 0.2
0
1 /A
25.`0
1.4
l See Ta le 5 for comparison with ti%e Proposed Route.
Environmental
Considerations
Geology, Topography
and Soils
8ydrology
v
Vegetation
Table
Alternative Route A.
More access roads required than
on: proposed rogte.
Same
Does r -)t go through Table
Motuntain Natural Area.
8 (cont'd)
Alternative Route B
Does not cross Table Moun-
tain but crosses two pro-
minent ridges. Goes
through areas • in Stani
slaus County designated,
as Class I and Class II
agricultural e^ils. Re-
quires more near construc-
tion of access roads in,
first section of the
route.
Crosses Black Creeks
Littlelohns Creek. (twice)
and the Stanislaus River.
Also: crosses through
irrig.-tedlands in Stan-
islat _ Cr-anty..
Extensive cutting of brush
and trees from switchyard
to Srar_i.slaus County line.
sloes not go through Natural
Area..
Underground
Alternative
Greater impact on geology,
topography and soils during
construction_ Grade cutting
and filling required around.
pressure correction station
and transmission terminals.
Greater impact on sedimen-
t -tion during construction
but less impact after com
pletion.
Extensive clearing during
construction. Permanent
removal of .zgetation within
fenced areas around pressure
correction station and trans-
mission terminals -
game Same Less impact on birds or
wildlife fromloss of
habitat. _3o opportunity
to create raptor perches..
Alternatives
(l) Alternative _Route A
(a) Pro ect DEscr�int�.on
Alternative Route A would be about 25 miles
(40.3 km) long from its origin at the pi;oposed New Melones Switch-
yard to its termina'tinn point near the Warnerville Substation. This
route would essentially follow the same corridor as the preferred
route for the first 0.5 mile (0.8 km)
road to the New Melones tamto a paint across the access
. At this point the line would cross the
Melones-Riverbank Junction 115 -kV woodpole line and parallel it on
the east side for abuut 2.2 miles (3,5 km) to Toble'Mountain. From
here, the route would continue southerly through 0011tteree, trees and
brush for approximately 3.4 miles (5.5 km) Passing ttttt4t of the Sierra.
Conservation Camp,
The line would take a slight turn to the west
to prrlit _ a better crossing of Green Spring Pull. Turning back
easterly and continuing southerly through scattered trees, Alternative A
would cross the new highway (State Highway 108/120) the old highway
east of Kistler Ranch. Limited screening would be obtained for the
highway crossing by the scattered oa13.
From the highway crossing, the route would cross
Mock giver Road and roughly parallel it ;for about 1.4 miles (2.3 km)
before crossing the 'fletch-Hetchy Aqueduct. At the aqueduct crossing,
the line 4auld' turn westerly and continue the rough parallel of the
Rock Rivet Road for about 0.8 anile (1.3 km) continuing on to the
county line,
The line would then enter Stanislaus County
approximately l mile (1.6 km) northwest or- the city and county of
San Francisco's transmission lines and head southwesterly inter-
secting the city of San Francisco lines anter about 2 miles (3.2 km).
This alternative route would Parallel those lanes on the south side
for about 10.5 miles (lb,"g km), From the intersection with the .Hetch
Retchy Aqueduct to the end of the line, the route would follow and
Parallel the same corridor as that described for the preferred route.
(b) Constrtiction Criteria
r a
Aocess,
The actress conditions for Alternative 'Route A
would baa similar to those of the preferred route. From the New rtelones
powerplafit to State xighway 108/120, the two routes are relatively
t t tions would be nearly the same,
Blase and there are access condi.
Alternatives
From State Highway 108/120 to where the.
line would parallel the existing city of San Francisco transmission
lines, the terrain becomes gentler than in the first section. Access
would be developed to each of the structure locations; existing access
would be used wherever possible. New access would be kept to the
alinement or as close as is practical, Existing access would be used
along the section paralleling the city of San Francisco transmission
line.
2. Clearing
From the New Melones Powerplant to the
Tuolumne County line vegetation is similar to that ,found along the
preferred route; and thus clearing would be similar. From the
Tuolumne County line to the tie point with the Bellota-Rerndon line
the area is grass and pastureland, and it appears that no trees would
have to be removed.
5. Structure Installation
The same methods would be used on this
alinement as those used on the preferred route,.
4. Conductor Installation
to the similarity of the terrain and
vegetation between the pr, .red route and Alternative. Route A,
the installation of conductors would be done in a, manner similar
to the preferred route,
5. Clean, ,
This operation would be Cultried out in
the same manner as along the preferre}l alinement.
(c) Reason for -Rejection
This alternative is L6 miles (2 ,.6 km) longer
than the proposed route and would impact an additional 12 actes (5 ha).
In addition, the towers would be more ptominetit at the higher elevation
where they would skirt Rushing Mountain. More access road would
` be required;
(2) Alternative Route .R
(a) Project besctiption
The length of Alternative Route B is about 21.4
miles (34.5 km), the shortest of three overland routes_. This Alter-
native would also originate at the proposed New Melones Switchyard,
77
Alternatives
and head west for about 0.3 mile (0.5 km) to the Melones Tap No. 1
and 2 Transmission Lanes at the fringe of the asbestos plant property.
The line would parallel the south side of the Melones '.Cap for about
0.8 mile (1.3 km) across French Creek. At this point, it would turn
slightly to the south, and continue westerly across Bowie Flat for
approximately 2.8 miles (4 .5 km).
The line would theca Ivrn south and cross the
westerly end of the Black Creek arm of TLLake (FPC Project 2067),
Continuing southwesterly for about 1.9 miles (8.1 km), it would enter
Rancheria Del Rio Estanislao, southwest of the Copper Cow% Subdivision.
From there, it would continue southwesterly for about 4.4 miles (7.1 km)
to the Calaveras County line, crossing Littlejohns Creels, Smith Flat,
Pear'hys Greeks and the Melones Riverbank Junction 115 -kV powerline.
Entering Stan slaws County, this route would
continue southwesterly for 2.5 miles (4.0 km), crossing Church Spring
Road and then paralleli.ig it for about 0.5 mile (0.8 km). Turning
slightly to the east, the line would continue southwesterly, crossing
South San Joaquin Main Canal just west of the flume, about 3.2 miles
(5.2 km) west of Knights Ferry.
The line would then cross the easterly end of
Cape Horn Tunnel and continue southwesterly about 2.5 miles (4.0 km)
to the north bank of the Stanislaus River, The river crossing would
be made just east of the Orange Blossom Road Bridge. tntering agri-
cultural land, the line would cross Lancaster Road, State Highway
108/120, the Sierra hailroad, Wamble Road, and the Oakdale South
Main Canal before intersecting the city and county of San Francisco's
transmission lines: From this point, the route would be the same
as the preferred route discussed earlier.
(b) Construction Criteria
1. Access
Access from the New Melones Powerplant to
Srate Highway 108/120 would need to be developed to each structure
loco ion. This area does not provide readily available access from
trails or roadways.
The area between State Highway 108/120 to
the tie point is basically grass and pastureland and access would
need to be developed, along the alinement.
78
Alternatives
2. Clearing
From the New k1elones Powerplant to approxi-
mately the county line, conductor stringing trails would be cut through
brush and trees.: An area would also have to be cleared for the Wnstal -
lation of each structure.
3. Structurw Installation
The installation would be doge in a manner
similar to the preferred route.
4. Conductor Installation
Conductor would be installed using similar
methods to those used on the preferred alinement.
5. Clean -Up
This phase would be carried out in a manner
Similar to the other alternatives.
(c) Reason for Re:) ection
Land use considerations were responsible for
the rejection of this alternative. The route crosses suburban and
rural subdivisions, prime agricultural soils, conservation zones
near the Stanisl.aus River and is near the asbestos mine, it would
be visible at the State Highway 108/120 crossing, More vegetation
Mould be cleared: it would not parallel existing lines for any
significant distatrce_.
(3) Alternative Route C
(a) Project Description
Alternative Route C is similar to the proposed
route except in the area between the Tuolumne-Stanislaus County line
to the Warnerville Switchyard.
(b) Construction Criteria,
Construction criteria are similar to the proposed
route.
tali Reason for ReJection
site*The line impinged on titre Will.ms Ranch historical,
Alternatives
(fit; Underground Alternatives
(a) pro ect Description
she construction of a double -circuit underground
transmission, line cwma explored as an alternative to tLe proposed over-
head transmission. line,
Due to the geological makcaF of the Table Mau
Green Spring Run area, the steep terrain and thntuin-
e limitations b. Mou trac-
t;ioyt equipment, it was determined that an underground line would not '�e
s�l.,t able for the fust 5, r milas (9.2 km) , even though the area is recog-
nized as one with numerous environmental constraints.
point approximately 5.7 miles (Q.2 km T.1erefore? at a
on the proposed alinement, an overhead-touundergroundetranalttion terminale
would be installed. The rouge would then continue undet.ground south-
westerly about 1.9 mikes 0,1 1a) across open countrytwo SL'atd lii�h--
way 10$x'120. The underground route would continue south, parallel
to an unimproved road aiii traverse open country for about par miles
(4,8 km) to tile ketch lietchy Aquedsct, The route would then follow
the aqueduct for about 12.9 miles (20.8 km) to the Wartnerville Sub-
station area where it would connect into the Bel ota-Herndon 230 -kV
t+ ,er linu at a ttansitian station.. The underground portion of the
route is 17,8 t,.'..1a8 (28.7 km) long,
(b) Construction Criteria
I. Type._Oinstallation
The db.lhle-circuitunderground transmission
line Would ronsisti of two high-pressure, oil. -filled, Pipe -type M -kV
cable instaLlati.ons, Each circuit
be encased in a 10 -inch (e , consisting of tllrte cables, would
.5.j,, cm) 0,D. (outer dianta
Oil -
steel pipe. Oil impregnated paper wrapped around Onch)conductored
would be the primary electrical insulation between the conductors;
and the pipe, To p,waserve the insulation qualities of this paper,
the heat generated by the electric current to the conductors would
need to be dissipated to the surrounding soil. The two piper, would be
buried in a common trench: A special thermal backfill ma, ,:
be placed to the trench around each pipe. to disper n hoer morelef.tild
ci.ently than native. soils. A manhole would be installed every 1,500
to 2,500 feet (457,2 to 762 m) along the route to be used for cable
installation and maintrIaanet_ of the line, Transition terminals would
be construcred, one at each end of the underground line, 4,ach terminal
would contain transition structures, lightningnrrestersa pothdads, and
oil -pumping facilities to Maintain the high oil pressure requited in
the underground pipes, At roughly the midpoint of the line, a pressure
Correction station would need to be installed to prevdt,L excessive oil:
pressure at potheads on the Warnerville end due to tir1ifforence or -
elevation in the line.
80
Alternatives
2. Circuit, Installation
A trench approximately 4 feet (1»2 m) wide
and averaging 6 feet (1.8 m) in depth would be dug along the alinement.
Some blasting .fight be required along the route for rock removal.
Forty -foot (11.2 m) sections of steel pipe would be welded end to end
and lowered into the trench. As the pipes are welded together, each
joint would be pressurized to cheek for leaks. Special thermal back-
fill material; would be poured a'ound the pipes to within arproximate
3 feet (0.9 it) of the earth surface and ordinary backfill material
would be used to fill the remainder of the trench. During the pipe
installation, manholes Mould be placed strategically along the route
every 1;500 to 2,500 feet (4K7.2 to 762 m), Each section of pipe
between manholes would be pressurized and held for a period of time
so that it could be monitored fox Leaks. The underground cables would
then be pulled into the pipes between manholes and spliced together at
each manhole to form , continuous length of cable. '.Che, sealed pipes
would be filled with a special high-grade oil and pressurized to
220 lb/in2g ''1 519 6 kPag) . If the pressure should fall significatitly
below this value, the line would be taken out of service to prevent;
damage to the cables or pipes. After locating and correcting t're
problem, the line Would be returned to service.
3. Cleanup
Cleanup procedures would be similar for the
entreline4 All, excess dirt and shipping materials would be disposed
of iapproved dump sites. Construction hardware and equipment would
be removed and disturbedsoils and shallow -rooted vegetation would be
restored where possible.
(c) General Specificaticns
General SPecificati.ous of the Altert-.ative
Undo round Transmission bine
1. 'Line Length
indergroutd Portion Approximately 17.8 miles (28.7 km)
0vcrhead Portion Approximately 5.7 miles (9,2 km)
2) V.i.ght-of i ay Width 30 feet (9.1 m),
3) Type of Conductor
81
?, OOO; 000 ci.t,�ul.ar mil (3 000 kcmil)
(1 876 Oil mm ), aluminum compact.
segmental.; 760 mil insulation) 0.760
inch (1,9 cm), 0,75 -inch (9.5 tin)
outside diameter
Alternatives
4)
Single Circuit Capacity
344 MVA normal the'r'mal rating
@ 100% Load factor"
5)
Type of Installation
High-pressure, 0:1,1;-Cilled pipe-
ipetype
typecable
6)
Pipe Type
10 -inch (25.4 cm) outside diameter
steel pipe
7)
Trench Dimensions
4 feet wide (1.2 m), 4 to 12 feet
(1.2 to 5.7 m) deed
8)
Location of Manholes
Every 1,500 to 2,500 feet (457.2 to
762 m)
9)
Type of Manholes
Reinforced conctote approximately
3 feet hieth (0.9 m), 12 feet r3,7 m)
wide, 12 feet (6,7 m) long
10)
Type of Conp*ruction
Open trench
(d) Comparison of Materials
Overhead 'Underground
Aluminum, lbs (kg)
857} 000 1,7(5,800
(376700) (795 060)
Steel, lbs (kg)
1,840,000 5,712,200
(826 000) (2 570 490)
Insulating Paper, As (kg)
0 3,719,000
(l 673 550)
insulating Porcelain, As (kg)
122, 800 49,100
(55 260) (22 095)
Oil, gals (kg)
0 388 SOU
a
(174 825)
(e) gfects.oi' Undergroundin&
The environmental effects of an underground.
alternative mould be confined mainly to the construction period,
The few residences that exiw+ near the, proposed alinement might
experie-ice some increa.Pes in noise and dust, caused by men and
equipment working in the area. The presence of large quantities of
rock in the area indicates that blasting may be required. Some
temporary traffic interruptions would result: at goad crossings. In
82
Alternatives.
locations where dust would be excessive the construction area W)uld
be wetted dow=n to decrease the dust. Flagmen and road signs would
be used to aid in traffic control. An all-weather access road
capable of handling 20- to 30 --ton (18 to 27 t) payloads Would Le
required along the route an part of the 3r -foot -wide (9.1 -meter -wide)
right-of-way necessary for construction; and operation of the line.
The construction Area would have to be cleared of any vegetation, but
shallow=rooted plants would be allowed to grow after construction was
completed. ted. Long-term operational effects would include permanent
removal of all vegetation within the fenced areas of the pressure
correction station and transition terminals. Since 0108e sites would
require a level area of approximately 13D feet by 200 fact (45.7 by
bl m), grade cutting and filling might be necessary to Obtain these
leveled areas.
(f') Reasons for Rejection
Although the iustallation of a double -circuit
utidergrourt transmission: line is technically and physically pots ible,
the environmental benefits gainea by eliminating the overhead line
are outweighed by the increased use of niltural resources and additional
cost. A cable trench would disturb more vegetation and would cost:
more than ten times as much as the cost of the propos:d overhead
transmission line. Therefore, undergrounding was not chosen as the
preferred method for the proposed action,
3. "No_Rro,iett" Alternatives
p if noaction 'were taken, it would be impossible to deliver
the plant output to oat reference cu loads. An
alternative por-,.,r source would be required; An alternative power
source would likely involve the use of nuclear or fossil fuels which
are nonrenewable resources and In a limited sup,.ly as opposed to the
use of hydropower which utilizes a renewable "cleian" energy source.
In additions the water conserved by the Net; Melones Reaervoir could
not be used to generate power. This alternative would not be in
conformity with the .ongressional authorization (p,L. 87-874).
The landtaape would not be subjected to the overhead lines
and the environmental impacts of the line as discussed in other
Parts of this .statement would riot occur. Present land use practice:
(primarily dryland .attle grazing over most cc the alinement) would
be expected, to continue with only minor chvtge,.
83
I. CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION
1. Development of the Proposal. and Preparation of the
Draft Environmental Statement
The individuals and :ageneses contacted by the Bureau
of Reclamition are gi'en in Appendix G and those by the PG&E Company
in Appendix F. Copies of ,:.orrespondence from the State Office of
Historic Preservation to the PG&E Oompany are also presented in
Appendix i'. Agencies with jurisdiction over the project are given
in Appendix I.
2_. Gl.cssary, References, and Metric Convers ou
Appendix A contains a glossary of terms used within this
statement. Apuendi:x H contains a list of many of the references
utilized in the preparati,7,n of the statement. Appendix K contains
a. listing of several of the most useful convetsion factors for
converting values from the English to the Metric system.
64
1
APPENDIX A
C�lassary
ANDL1 1TIC
Coo. -posed primarily of fragments of nhdes.i te,
a :Lava intermediate in composition 1)etj4eett
a rhyol.ite and a 'basalt.
ACCESS LOAD
Any road to reach the work situs.
ACRT-',-FOOT
The volume .(as in irrigation water)
that would cover one acre (41,560
square feet or (4 050 m2) to a. depth
of l foot (.0305 m).
ACSR
Aluminum Conductor -Steal Reinforced,
s1 type of electrical conductor.
ALLIVIAL
A general term for clay, silt, and
graNjl, or similar uncorsol.deted
material deposited during recent
geologic time by a body of running
water.
ALLUVIAL PLAIN
A level or 8ently sloping land surface
produ^eu .ay extensive deposition of
clay, g 1. , , ,sand, or gravel through the
aQtion o,' ruining water.
AM3IgNT NOISh Lr'VEL
That level of noise (ftotmall,y measured
in dec. bels) evisting in an onviron-
�
tent under norWal conditions.
ANTICLINt
The upward geological folddonvex
upward in rocks which ccntLins 'the
stratigraphically older rocks that may
`Bold ac'cumula'tions of gas or oil.,
(Also called a dome.
ARCHEO'L,OGICAL SITE
A site lending it8alf to tha scientific
study of extinct peoples or of past
phases of the culture of historic
peoples through skulctal, remaxn8, fossils
and objecLs of human workmanship found
in the earth,
A-1
r�"
ATTENUATION
A general term used �o denote a decren.no
in magnitude in transm:,vsjon of electricvl
energy From one point; to another.
AUGER
Large spiral bit used far boring in
soil or rock.
A14G
American Wire Gages is a wire size standard,
BAT11OLITH
A great mass of intruded igneous rock
that for the most part stopped in its
rise a considerable distance below the
surface.
BREAKDOWN GRADIENT
That value of electrical. stress which
when applied to the 'surrounding ra,:mosphere
causes a flashover.
CENOZOIC
A geological time era. See figure 6.
CHAN'NE'L FILL
An alluvial deposit in a stream channel
or in an abandoned cutoff channel.
CIRCUIT
A system of conductors thr.ough which
three-phase electric Currents ate
intended to flow. in the case cf trans—
mission and distribution lines, each
circuit will consist of three conductors.
CIRCULAR MIL
A unit of a,.ea equal to 0,7854 square mil
(5.1 x 10"4 mm2), A mil is one thousandth
part of an inch. A one-inch diameter circle
contains One million circular mils.
CONDUCTOt
A wire, or combination of wires not
insulated from each others suitable
for carrying an electric current.
CONSOLIWE
The gradual or slow teducti on in volume
and increase iri density of a material in
response to increased ;Load or .compre.;Ave
stress,
CONTACT
A plane or .Lrregular surface between two
different types or ages of to ks.
CONTAMINATION (1NStILATOR)
The formation of soil and residue on an
insuldtor ultimately resulting in an
insulation bteakdowa
A-
CROSSTIE;
Section of pipe used to Connect two
parallel pipelines.
CRYSTALLINE
A rock consisting wljolly of crystals or
.fragments of crystals.
CUES TA
Q 11111 or ridge with a gentle slope on
Cne side and a steep slope on the other.
CULVERT
A transverse drain.
CURRENT, STEADY-
STAVE
The Value of a current after all transients
have decayed to a negligible g „ible value.
DECIBLES A-WEIGHTEDdEA
( )
Sound pressure levels weighted in
accor-
dance with A 8Cale, A -weighted scaled,
similar in response to that ci human ear
for normally encountered sounds, One dBA
represents the faintest audible sound.. 50
to 60, dBA represents normal conversation
at 3 to 5 feet (0,9 m to 1.5 m).
DEFORMATION
A general term for the process of folding,
faulting, shearing, comp+;essiori, or ex-.
4
tension of the rocks as a result of various
earth forces.
DEMOGRAPHY
The statistical: study of human populations
ospectially with respect to rize and density,,
distribution,
and vital statistics,
DENSITY
The quantity per unit volume, unit area
or unit length,
DZp
The angle that a strtaCtu,�al surf ace, e.g,,
a bedding or .fault Plano-, makes with the
h0ri2ortal,
weasured perpendicular to the
strike of the structure,
DISPLACEMENT
The r lative movement of the two sides of
a fault,
measured it, zany chosen direction..
DISSECTED lil,'L TOf'OGRAPi`
A cut into an eroded suvfate of considerable
area and slight relief.
EASEMENT
The right hot by one parson to make use of
the land of atiother for % limited purpose,
A-3
ECOSYSTEM
EDAPt IC
ELECTRIC FIELD
>"UCTRO iAGNMIC INDUCTION
EMPLACL IEUT
FAULT (EUCTRICAL)
VAULT (GEOLOGIC)
FAULT SYSTrM (GEOLOGIC)
MULT ZONE (GCOLOGIC)
VAVNA
FED'MA POWER CCORNIS810N
A community and its (11ving and non-livirig)
environment considered collectively; Lhe
fundamental unit in cc O'J,oj-f dray be quJ.t;e
small; as the, ecosys trail or one--call,od pl ati tet,
in a drop of water, ur indefinitely large
as in the grassland ecosystem.
Of or relating to the soil.
A stage of a medium ccharac Lori.zee.
by spatial voltage gradicttni caused
by conductors at different yciltages.
The production of an cicetjroljtotive
force in a circuit by a cltw,itty�c, in
the 111a;neti.c ,flux linkint, W1.0i that;
circuit.
Set into place by various geologic
processes,
The unint,antional contact of conductors
in an electrical network to each other
or to ground which cause short circuit_
currents to .flow. faults may be caused
by many physical events including
structure failure, insulator flashovers
and contact by foreign conducting materials.
Freak in the earth's crust along whtch
parallel I i.ppage of adjacent earth
material has occurred 111t soma point
in the part.
Two or more regional faults or fault zones
which are, related but usually not inter-
connected,
One or more faults and the adjacent fractured.
and sheared roclts; may be a fees feet to a
few Hiles in width.
The animals or animal life developed or
aJapLed for living in a specified environment.'
A regulatory commission croated to
regulate and oversee certain activities
Of govut•nmental, and private atilityy
interests.
A�4
FLORA
FOLD
GAIII3RO
GIN POLE
GRADER
U`TZ1Jg�1ST01ES
GROUP
RASI`fAT
1IIST091CAL SITE
ID
Plants; organisms of the plant kingdom
specifically, the plants growing in a
geographic area, as the Flora of Illinois
A curve or 'bend of a,planar structure such.
as rock strata, bedding planes, foliation.,
or cleavage.
A persistent body of igneous, sedim ni ('nry,
or metamorphic rocks, having easily t,c�eog-
nizable upper and lower boundaries thrat
can be traced in the field and large enough
to be represented on a geologic map
as a convenient unit for mapping and
description.
A group of dark -colored, iron and
Magr.esim- rich, coarse grained intrusive
igcieous rocks which a;r- the intrusi-e
equivalent of basalt.
A single pole held in a nearly vertical
pos r.ion b'r guys that support a block.
and tackle used for lifting loads.
Machine used to move earth for trimming
land or—oadways or Co make ground conform
to a desired contour.
Metamorphosed volcanic rocks rich in the
green col.ur:od minerals epidote and chlorate:
A major rack-strdtigraphic unlit consisting
of two or Wore formations having significant
iithol,ogic; ;features in common.
The place rr type Of site where a plant
or aziimal naturally or commonly is found.
Any sita which by virtue of historical
events (i -Q, within the time frame of
recorded history) taking place thetaon
is shown to be of culturally redeeming
value.
Inside diameter,
A-5
w,
IGNEOUS
IN SITU
INSULATION
INTRUSION (IGNEOUS)
IONIZED
JUT 3C
kcmil
V
i 10—i
LATERAL
LAVA
LEAD LINE
LOAD CENTER
MAINTENANCE ROAD
One of the three majoz;' c;l<cjsses of rock,
fo.;med by cooling and solidification Of
molten material. (magma).
Having to do with in 1)l.ace original.
charactei-sL•ics.
Material having a high resistance to the
flow of electric current, to present
leakage of current from n conductor.
The process of emplaceinerit; of magma or
molten rock into preeximUng rock.
The state of matter having a net positive
or negativo electrical charge.
The z -lc,, ' V. of 't is Mesozoic era jaiLer
Lhe Triassic and before the Cretaceous)
thougl,t to have covered the span of time
between 195-190 and 136 million years ago.
Thousand circular mils (0.65 mm2) - a unit
:scribing conductor size in terms
of its cross-sectional area.
Kilovolt`, unit equal: to one thousand
volts.
Kilowatthour, a unit of electrical energy,
A side ditch or conduit (as in a water
system)
A molten rock that has flowed upon the
earth's surface and solidified,
A fibre rope or small steel cable used
to pull in ;a "sock line".
xhp geographical. center of electric
demand.
Any road constructed and used for
performing routine maintenance and
repair on h facility.
A..6.