WELCOME! Middle Bald Mountain Public Radio Communications Facility EIS Scoping Meetings. October 9, :00-7:00 pm (open house format)

Transcription

1 WELCOME! Middle Bald Mountain Public Radio Communications Facility EIS Scoping Meetings October 9, :00-7:00 pm (open house format) US Forest Service Continental Divide Conference Room 2150 Centre Drive Building E Fort Collins, CO October 10, :00-7:00 pm (open house format) Livermore Community Hall 1956 Red Feather Lakes Road (CR 74E) Livermore, CO

2 EIS PROCESS Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS Public Scoping September 14 - October 29th, 2012 WE ARE HERE Proposed Action & Alternatives Draft EIS & Notice of Availability (NOA) Spring Day Comment Period Final EIS & NOA Summer 2013 Forest Service Objection or Appeal Period Record of Decision

3 HOW TO PARTICIPATE Sign in and join the project mailing list in order to stay informed on the project s progress. Visit stations and read materials. Discuss the project with US Forest Service representatives. Join a small group workshop to discuss potential design considerations. Provide your written scoping comments at this meeting, by mail, or by . Stay informed by visiting the project website at gov/goto/arp/middlebald.

4 HOW TO COMMENT Send your written comments: Via mail to Middle Bald Communication Site Comments c/o Logan Simpson Design 123 N. College Ave., Ste. 206 Fort Collins, CO Via to Please include Middle Bald Comment in the subject line. Tips for making effective comments: Remember we need your comments to help the analysis for the EIS. alternatives. Scoping comments must be received by October 29, 2012.

5 PROJECT OVERVIEW The U.S. Forest Service is preparing an environmental impact statement to consider and disclose the environmental effects of constructing and operating a government-only, public safety radio communications facility near the summit of Middle Bald Mountain, in the Roosevelt National Forest. has proposed construction of a site to improve public safety radio communications among government agencies, such as County, State, and departments, Larimer County Search and Rescue, U.S. Forest Service, and other emergency responders and public service providers operating in the north central portions of the County. The proposed communication facility would also improve radio communication in areas of the Cache la Poudre Canyon (the Canyon) and State Highway 14 which currently have poor or no radio communication Deadman Rd. Laramie River Rd. Middle Bald Mountain # North Bald Mountain * * * South Bald Mountain UV14 Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forest # Larimer County Communications Site Vicinity Map # Proposed Action BLM FWS NPS Rocky Mountain National Park USFS - ARNF USFS - ROUTT CDOW SLB STATE STPARKS Copyright: 2009 ESRI Miles ±

6 PURPOSE AND NEED The purpose of and need for this action are to improve poor or non-existent VHF and 800 MHz radio coverage in the north central part of Larimer County, including Red Feather Lakes, Crystal Lakes, Glacier Meadows, the Canyon, State Highway 14, and in recreational areas in the Roosevelt National Forest. Improved VHF and 800 MHz communications law enforcement, and other public safety/public service agencies to more quickly and better assist the residents and recreational visitors during both emergency and routine incidents. The need was reinforced during the Hewlett and High Park Current VHF Radio Coverage Projected Improved VHF Radio Coverage Current 800MHz Radio Coverage Projected Improved 800MHz Radio Coverage

7 PROPOSED ACTION The proposed action would consist of: An approximately 70-foot high, three-legged steel lattice tower and 200 square-foot equipment building. An approximately 0.55-mile long and 10-foot wide access road passable by heavy construction vehicles from NFSR 517 to the building site near the summit. Post-construction, the access road could be rehabilitated to a level required by the Forest Service. An approximately 12-mile long overhead powerline along County Road 162 (Deadman Road), NFSR 300, NFSR 517 and the proposed access road to the point at which the access road exits the trees into the open meadow of the summit. The powerline would be buried under the access road between the edge of the trees and the building site. The proposed facility would include a backup 20 kilowatt diesel generator for use in the event of interruption of commercial power.

8 PROPOSED ACTION TOWER Conduit W/Anchors Elev: 7 Above Above Ground Conduit Existing Buried Power Conduit Top of Tower Elev: 11, Concrete Tower Pad Elev: 10, Middle Bald Mountain Peak Elev: 11, End of Road Elev: 10, A1 A2 A1 A2

9 PROPOSED ACTION TOWER Photographic simulation from 8.0 miles away, from westbound Red Feather Lakes Road (74E), 1/4 east of CR 162, looking southwest toward Middle Bald Mountain. Existing Conditions Simulation of the Draft Proposed Action

10 PROPOSED ACTION TOWER Photographic simulation from 6.2 miles away from Bellaire Day Use Area, looking west toward Middle Bald Mountain. Existing Conditions Simulation of the Draft Proposed Action

11 PROPOSED ACTION TRANSMISSION LINE & ACCESS ROADS Transmission Line

12 PROPOSED ACTION Transmission Line Access Road Tower Building

13 POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES PROJECT LARIMER COUNTY COMPONENT PROPOSED ACTION OPTIONS/ALTERNATIVES* Site Location Middle Bald Mountain Multiple site locations have been considered (see separate board - Project History). Site Designations Government-Only Site: Tower & building to be used by USFS, County, State, and other agencies 70, 3-legged, steel lattice tower; non- tower visible above summit Building Design and Location Access Route and Route Design Rectangular, 200 sq ft building, designed to blend with site surroundings, located about 200 north of tower site. Construction: Improved road (Level 2) from NFSR 517 to edge of trees. Post-Construction: Rehabilitate level 2 road to a 2-track road; install gates at both ends. Power Source Primary: Construct new electric distribution line Backup: 20 kw diesel generator Power Line Construct overhead power line along Deadman Rd. (LCR 162) and NFSR 300 and 517 Underground last 1,000 across meadow to facility site Operations & Maintenance Construction: Various wheeled heavy equipment Operations & Maintenance: Only foot *No Action will be also be considered for all project components. Low Power/Non-Broadcast (allows government as well as cellular, utilities, and other communication uses (such as commercial 2-way radio)) Low Power (allows all of the above and low-power broadcast (such as AM radio)) Broadcast (allows all of the above and full high-power broadcast (such as TV, FM radio, etc.)) Taller tower to accommodate additional users Disguise tower (i.e. to look like a rock outcrop or other natural feature) near summit tower. Locate building at other locations near the tower/summit. Locate building at a distance from tower at a different location. Connect standby generator to tower with underground cable. Construction: Level 2 road from NFSR 517 to facility along a different alignment (to be determined.) Post-Construction: Rehabilitate level 2 road to a 2-track road; install gates at both ends. Construction: No access road; use helicopter construction methods. Post-Construction: No road construction, no rehabilitation needed. (Place temporary load spreading mats across meadow.) Primary: Solar array Backup: Batteries charged by solar Primary: Wind turbine Backup: Batteries charged by wind Primary: Hybrid power system (wind + solar OR powerline + solar or wind) Backup: batteries charged by hybrid solar/wind system Primary: Construct new electric distribution line Backup: Instead of diesel generator, batteries charged by hybrid solar/wind system Underground power line in or adjacent to upgraded NFSR 517 (Bald Mtn 4wd Trail) and across meadow to facility site. Underground entire length of powerline. Overhead power line alongside upgraded NFSR 517 (Bald Mtn. 4wd Trail). Continue overhead across meadow to facility site. Overhead power line alongside Deadman Rd., NFSR 300 and 517. Overhead across meadow to facility site. On-the-ground power cable from Bellaire Campground area or Red Feather Lakes area cross-country to facility. Construction: Helicopter for installation of on-the-ground power cable and/or building and tower. NFSR 517, helicopter for radio equipment and generator fuel.

14 PROJECT HISTORY MARCH 2001 Technical Study conducted for Larimer County Poudre Canyon and Laramie River Valley as areas requiring additional radio coverage. Report concludes that expanding the radio system would require additional tower sites. MARCH 2003 Larimer County submits to USFS a proposal for the construction of a communications facility on South Bald Mountain. APRIL 2003 USFS denies County application after determining that the proposed site on South Bald Mountain is not consistent with applicable laws and policies, because the location is within the Green Ridge inventoried roadless area. MAY 2003-APRIL 2006 Following rejection of South Bald Mountain site, Larimer County conducts additional technical studies and evaluates multiple sites for improving radio communications in northern portions of the county. These studies result in a proposal to construct facilities on Middle Bald Mountain. SEPTEMBER 2006 USFS initiates NEPA process for a site located on Middle Bald Mountain. NOVEMBER 2007 Public scoping meeting held at the Magic Sky Girl Scout Ranch. JULY 2008 Larimer County suspends work on the project due to budget constraints. DECEMBER 2009 After completion of additional technical studies, Larimer County requests USFS to re-activate its application for Middle Bald Mountain. APRIL 2011 Middle Bald Mountain proposal and analyzes Poudre Canyon. SEPTEMBER 2012 USFS issues Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Middle Bald Mountain Public Safety Radio Communications Facility.

15 PREVIOUSLY CONSIDERED TOWER, BUILDING SITES & ACCESS ROADS Alternative Access Roads Building 6 Building 5 Building 4 Building 1 Tower Building 2 Building 3

16 POTENTIAL DESIGN CRITERIA TYPE OF TOWER Lattice Monopole Integrated with Building Fire Lookout or Ideas? Ideas? Ideas? Recreational Destination Ideas? Ideas? ROAD TYPE Construction New 10-foot Wide Access Road Trample-proof Mats Helicopter Installation, no access road Operation 10-foot Wide Bladed Road 2 Track Road, Not Bladed Overland Travel, no access road. Ideas? Ideas? Ideas? Ideas? Ideas? Ideas? SUPPORT BUILDING AND GENERATOR Prefabricated with Paint Recreational Outlook Ideas? Ideas? Ideas? NEARBY VISITOR AMENITIES Trailhead Improvements Interpretation regarding Communication Systems Trail Upgrades or Maintenance Ideas? Ideas? Ideas? SOLAR ENERGY POWER SOURCE Tower supplied entirely by solar power, backup generator, and backup batteries, no powerline. Ideas?

17 ISSUES Using the space below, please note issues that should be considered in the EIS.

18 QUESTIONS Using the space below, please note any questions that you have regarding the proposed project. Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) will be posted on the project website.

19 WHO MAKES THE DECISION? Supervisor for the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland. Nature of Decision To Be Made whether or not to authorize the proposed action or other action alternative that may be developed by the Forest Service as a result of scoping. Permits or Licenses Required Special use authorization from the Forest Service would be required to implement the proposal or other action alternative that may be developed by the Forest Service after Plan amendment would also be necessary if the decision is to permit a communication site on Middle Bald Mountain.

20 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT: THREE PHASES Scoping Provide an overview of the project purpose and need. Identify issues for analysis in the EIS. Ensure that we have reached key stakeholders and obtained their perspectives. The comments received from agencies and the public during scoping will be used to guide analysis and development of the Draft EIS. Draft EIS Review Agencies and the public will have an opportunity to comment on the Draft EIS during a 45-day public review period. Objectives for Draft EIS Review Provide a forum for the public to provide comments on, or to ask Draft EIS. Final EIS and Records of Decision The Final EIS will include responses to all substantive public comments received on the Draft EIS. The US Forest Service s Record of Decision will not be issued until at least 45 days after the issuance of the Final EIS.