This week is the last round of environmental review scoping meetings for the Great Northern Transmission Line.
And here’s the view last week the morning before the scoping meeting in International Falls after 5-6 inches of snow. It wasn’t horrible, but coming back was a bit rough, roads were greasy and on Hwy. 53 where it’s 2 lane, I was stuck behind someone who kept hitting the binders in the middle of a curve, over and over and over, I had to back way way off so I wouldn’t have to hit the brakes too. GRRRRRRR. Anyway, I’d planed to go to the Grand Rapids meeting tomorrow, but we’ve got a “blizzard warning” here in Red Wing, and Duluth area looks pretty bad, and Hwy. 73 would be pretty grim between I-35 and Hwy. 2, so I think I’m opting out. Not sure, but probably. Double GRRRRRR!
The Scoping Meetings are:
Tonight beginning at 6 p.m. The Sanford Center 1111 Event Center Drive NE Bemidji, MN Tomorrow beginning at 6 p.m. Sawmill Inn 2301 S Highway 169 Grand Rapids, MN
If I don’t go, I’ll be spending the day with the Great Northern Transmission Line application (linked here), and writing a few Letters to the Editor.
The categories expected to be covered are broad, and “scoping” is letting them know what you think should be specifically included regarding these categories, or what specifically should be covered in broad categories that they forgot to list! The more specific your comments, the better.
Comments due by 4:30 p.m. March 14, 2014
Send to:
bill.storm@state.mn.us
Here are those broad categories for the environmental report — what about these needs to be considered:
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose and Need
1.2 Regulatory requirements2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
2.1 General
2.2 Design
2.3 Right-of-Way Requirements and Acquisition
2.4 Construction
2.5 Operation and Maintenance
2.6 Permits3.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED HVTL
3.1 No-build Alternative
3.2 Demand Side Management
3.3 Purchase Power
3.3.1 Long term Purchase Power
3.3.2 Short term Purchase Power
3.5 Up-grading Existing Facilities
3.6 Facilities of a Different Size
3.7 New Generation4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AFFECTS
4.1 Air Quality
4.2 Biological Resources
4.3 Culture Resources
4.4 Geology and Soils
4.5 Health and Safety
4.6 Land Use
4.7 Noise
4.8 Socioeconomics
4.9 Transportation
4.10 Visual Impacts and Aesthetics
4.11 Water Resources (surface, groundwater, wetlands)
4.12 Waste Management and Disposal