unty, Arizona


BACKGROUND
Arizona Public Service (APS) submitted a proposal to the Forest Service to construct a 69kV
Transmission Line and new substation in May 2004. The project affects multiple land jurisdictions
both on and off of the Coconino National Forest (CNF). The powerline will begin within the
boundaries of the City of Winslow and follow SR87 south towards the CNF boundary for
approximately 28 miles. The powerline will then enter CNF lands and travel another 11 miles to a
substation. Refer to the attached location map.

Need For the Project
The purpose and need for this action is to identify a suitable corridor for the proposed facilities on CNF
lands, in order to facilitate the completion of this proposed project, and to meet the management needs
and requirements set forth in the Coconino National Forest Plan. An environmental analysis has been
completed in accordance with the Coconino National Forest Plan disclosing the effects of constructing
and maintaining the corridor.

Arizona Public Service (APS) is the electric power supplier to the communities of Happy Jack and
Blue Ridge located in Coconino County, Arizona. The Blue Ridge area has evolved from a few houses
scattered on private land in-holdings within the Coconino National Forest (CNF) into an area with
large residential subdivisions. APS serves approximately 1,200 customers in the Blue Ridge area, and
expects their customer base to exceed 2,000 households over the next five years. The electric power
needs of APS customers have increased to a point that additional electric transmission facilities are
required to ensure reliability and provide for the projected growth in the Blue Ridge area.

Presently, the only source of power to communities in the Blue Ridge area is a single 21kV radial
distribution line. This line was constructed in the 1950s and extends approximately 35 miles from its
present source at the Tonto Substation in Payson through heavily forested, mountainous terrain.
Because of the radial configuration of the existing line (single line into the area), any outage occurring
on the line will cause a total blackout of the Blue Ridge communities. This existing line is subject to
storm-related outages, such as wind, lightning, and trees falling on power lines. This also has
contributed to voltage spiking and subsequent damage of personal electronic equipment. Since the
existing line is situated in a remote location that can be difficult to access for repairs, the duration of
outages has been up to 5 days in the Blue Ridge area.

The new 69kV transmission line and substation will accomplish the following:


Increase reliability by extending a new transmission source to Blue Ridge.

1 Blue Ridge 69kV Transmission Line Project Environmental Assessment
Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact


Provide a looped distribution system and improving the ability to restore power in a timely
manner in the event of an outage.


Provide bulk power to the area and replace the existing 21kV distribution line that has reached
its capacity with a 69kV powerline.


Improve power quality in the area by providing a stable voltage source.


Provide capacity for projected load growth in the Blue Ridge area and develop the 69kV
system for meeting long-term needs.

The project will benefit the communities around Blue Ridge, including Clear Creek Pines 1 and 2 and
Clints Well, in addition to strengthening the overall 69kV system in the Winslow area. The
environmental assessment documents the analysis of the proposed action to meet this need.

DECISION AND RATIONALE
This decision applies only to those construction activities that are on Coconino National Forest lands
within the Mogollon Rim Ranger District.

I have selected Alternative 2, authorizing the construction of approximately 11 miles of a 69kV
transmission line corridor from the Forest Boundary to the community of Blue Ridge and a 2 acre
substation located on CNF lands. APS will be constructing the remainder of the 69kV transmission
line between the city of Winslow and the Forest boundary along with a new 69 kilovolt (kV) substation
in Winslow as described in the Environmental Assessment (EA). This decision is based upon my
review of the information provided through the EA, as well as comments received from the public
during the 30-day scoping and official notice and comment period, and internal Forest Service
specialists input.

Alternative 2 includes:


Construction of a 69kV Transmission Line and Substation
Approximately 11 miles of the 69kV transmission line are located on the Coconino National
Forest (CNF). Construction will entail pole site clearing and excavation, hole-digging, pole
framing and setting, conductor stringing, and revegetation of ground disturbed areas.

Construction of a new substation located on CNF lands in T15N, R12E, Sections 30 and 29,
across from the Bly Pit off of SR 87. The substation site will be approximately 2 acres in size
including a clear zone around the substation. Geotechnical investigation of subsurface soil
conditions will be performed at the substation site. This will involve drilling test holes using a
drilling rig. The access road to the substation, less than 400 feet in length, will be improved to
an all-weather surface and graded. Drainage will be improved to divert runoff to swales along
the substation access road, and improved on adjacent Forest Service roads. This will entail
minor maintenance activities including road blading. A larger culvert will be installed on the
east side of SR 87, pending coordination with Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT).
The existing access gate will be changed from a single gate to a double gate. Gravelling the
surface with native materials is initially planned. Security fencing will be installed around the
substation facilities. The fence will be a 10-foot-tall chain link fence with colored slats.

2 Blue Ridge 69kV Transmission Line Project Environmental Assessment
Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact




Vegetation Clearing
Vegetation clearing will be accomplished along the powerline right-of-way, at the substation
site and along the substation access road (approximately 55 acres).


Timber Harvesting
A small timber products sale (approximately 50 acres) will be conducted for the removal of
trees from the substation site and utility right-of-way between the substation and Quayle Hill
(approximately Milepost 32.5) on CNF land. Activities associated with the timber harvest and
sale could include cutting, skidding, decking, hauling, and piling or lopping and scattering of
slash.


Prescribed Burn
Approximately 1,300 acres of prescribed burning for natural fuels reduction will be completed
at the substation-site, lands adjacent to and surrounding the Bly Pit just west of SR 87, lands
between State Route (SR) 87 and the utility right-of-way corridor on CNF land. This will
protect the powerline infra-structure from being damaged or destroyed by wildland fires. After
the prescribed burning is completed, the area will become part of a maintenance program with
re-entry for prescribed burning occurring every 5 to 7 years.


Staging Areas
Utilization of two temporary staging area sites each approximately 300 feet by 300 feet in size.


Cleanup and Reclamation
Cleanup and reclamation of disturbed areas by seeding after completion of work with a mix of
species that is certified weed-free seed and that is best suited for erosion control.


Maintenance
Maintenance of the right-of-way corridor and area surrounding the substation site, including
tree trimming and vegetation clearing as needed to protect the structures.

The transmission line route has been selected to avoid significant impacts to resources. By following
existing access roads, strategic placement of pole locations, using helicopters to position poles, and
following Forest Service and APS Best Management Practices, resource impacts can be further
mitigated. Trees would be cut and removed to facilitate site preparation; however there would be a
concerted effort to retain old-growth trees.

Poles will be constructed of self-weathering steel structures and nonspecular conductors for the
forested portion of the route, and dulled galvanized steel structures for the grassland portion of the
route, in order to reduce visual impacts. To maintain visual quality along SR 87 the substation will be
located east of the highway, screened from the view of travelers on SR 87 by existing trees and shrubs.
The substation will also use fencing with colored slats to blend in with the surrounding area.

When compared to Alternative 1, the no action alternative, the proposed action will meet the purpose
and need for the project by providing a second source of power to the Blue Ridge area, improving
power reliability, and providing capacity for projected future growth. Alternative 1, the no action

3 Blue Ridge 69kV Transmission Line Project Environmental Assessment
Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact
alternative, would not meet the project purpose and need. The existing line is inadequate to serve the
current and projected needs of the area because it is at capacity, its location makes access for repairs
difficult, and because it is the only line into the area. These factors make it likely that extended outages