2008-02-22_APPLICATION CORRESPONDENCE - C2008086 (46)

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CHAPTERTWO Alternatives meter and water pipeline. The pipeline would be constructed of steel and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and would be buried along the railroad spur alignment. It would extend to a water tank above the mine portals. This pipeline would supply all of the water needs for the mine operation and would be pumping water more or less continuously throughout the year. The system would remain in operation for the life of the mine. BMPs would be utilized during construction to minimize impacts to in-channel and riparian habitat and to prevent bank degradation. CAM will obtain a permit from the USACE prior to constructing the diversion structure in Mack Wash. A water tank would be located at the Red Cliff Mine site above the portal level. The water tank would be a fabricated steel tank constructed on a concrete or oiled-sand base. The tank would be approximately 52 feet in diameter and 32 feet high, providing a capacity of approximately 500,000 gallons. A smaller water tank would also be constructed near the coal wash plant. Transmission Line GVP is the local provider of electricity and electrical transmission services, and CAM asked GVP to provide electrical services. GVP determined that existing transmission lines in the area of the Red Cliff Mine are not adequate to meet the needs of the proposed Red Cliff Mine. With input from CAM, GVP evaluated electrical needs, substation capacities, and transmission line alignments for the proposed project and determined that the power could best be supplied from the Xcel Energy Uintah Substation at Fruita. A 69,000-volt (69-kilovolt [kV]) transmission line would be required to supply the required power. Figure 2-10, Typical Transmission Pole Configuration, depicts typical pole and conductor facilities fora 69-kV transmission line. To reach the Red Cliff Mine, a portion of the transmission line would cross BLM-managed lands. A ROW application for the transmission line has been submitted to BLM. The GVP-preferred alignment is shown in Figure 1-1, Proposed Action. The transmission line would be dedicated to supplying power to the Red Cliff Mine; there would be no additional users along the line. The proposed line would be designed for an underbuild distribution circuit (12 kV) from the Uintah substation to a point just south of the Highline Canal. This circuit would distribute electrical power to local businesses and residents. Figure 2-10 depicts a typical pole and conductor facility for the underbuild section. There would be no underbuild circuit north of the Highline Canal on BLM-managed lands. The primary substation would be constructed at the end of the alignment shown in Figure 1-1. A substation contains electrical transformers to reduce the line power to a suitable voltage. High- voltage overhead power lines would be extended from the primary substation to two or three secondary substations located around the site as necessary to provide electrical power to the mine facilities. Secondary substations would be located near the portal, wash plant, loadout, and possibly other areas. Gravel-surfaced, fenced areas would secure electrical transformers. The outside dimensions of a typical facility are 50 feet by 50 feet. 2-42