WSP02012 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

. . 0416 Environmental Statement A. Probable environmental impact of the proposed action on: 1. Natural landscape a. The design of the p~o~osed powerplant and related facili- ties represen~3 a consolidated approach of an Environmental Committee composed ,of people from many disciplines and special interests in complete cooperation of the then Chief Engineer anc. the Regional Director, The committee did an excellent job and recommended a suitable scheme which includes a powerplant design ",hieh incorporates special architectural features and lo.ndscaping which \.ill make it blend with and possibly enhance the scenery of the surrounding areaso The top floor of the powerplant will contain the primary visitor center for the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project which will portray the many PI'oject features together with a Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture, display that will show its role in resource management on the Project. The penstocks will be buried pri- marily for aesthetic reasons; the power transformers will be low pr.ofile and will be screened from view by the unique building design. Powerlines from the pOKerplant to the switchyard will be buried, and the tr€nch will be filled and revegetated. The switchyard will be located in an area away from the powerplant and will be screened from view b:j a natural forested hill. O&M shops will be located in the swi tchyard area. Colors of above ground features ",ill be eartb-tone so they will blend with the surrounding area. b. Durir.g construction of the powerplant and related facili- ties there will be a significant visual impact onfue natural landscape resulting from vegetation removal and earthwork. However, there will be no extensive timber cutting, Construction roads \.ill be held at a minimum, and after construction, they will be oblitero.ted and revegetated. The main construction access rOGd will be surfaced to minimize dust. The penstock cut will be a temporary Scaro HO>lever, if Congressional authorization for the second ur,it has not been received within five years after construction is initiated, the cut will be backfilled and revegetated in accordance Hi th U, S. Forest Service recommendaticns. Earth removed from the penstock excavation "ill be utilized for constructing the forebay dam and forebay lining and earth removed for the powerplant Hi 11 be utilized for backfill, coffer dam construction and borrow pit rehabilitation, Material for refilling the penstock trench will be excavated from a borrOH pit. The borrOH pit will be located for its least impact on the environ- ment and will be revegetated, In revegetating the disturbed areas, topsoil will be brought in to blanket the backfilled areas. Native grasses, shrubs and trees will be pl,mted. Some large specimen trees ,,/ill be planted to break up the ~:"a!' while the seedling material is small. The revegetated areas will be fertilized and irrigated until a suitable stand is established. Revegetation will prevent soil erosion that would otherwise occur. 3