2008-02-22_APPLICATION CORRESPONDENCE - C2008086 (39)

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CHAPTERFOUR Environmental Consequences and Mitigation Water Pipeline The water pipeline would be buried along the railroad spur alignment. It would extend to a water tank located at the Red Cliff Mine site above the portal level. A smaller water tank would also be constructed near the coal preparation plant. The proposed pipeline would traverse approximately 9.5 miles of BLM-administered land, and approximately 5 miles of private land. Use of federal lands will require CAM to obtain ROW grants on these federal lands. Existing land use along the pipeline corridor is the same as described in the Railroad section. The water pipeline crosses BLM-administered lands and private lands under the jurisdiction of Mesa County. Compliance with these land use plans is the same as addressed in the Railroad section. Transmission Line Existing land uses within the proposed transmission line ROW consist of mineral exploration and production facilities, oil and gas development and extraction, livestock grazing, transportation and utility corridors, water control management by the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), dispersed and developed recreation, agriculture, irrigated farmland, wildlife use, and low-density single family residential development within rural private land parcels. The proposed transmission line would cross 7.1 miles of BLM lands and would not cross any private land ownership north of the Highline Canal. South of the Highline Canal, the proposed transmission line would be adjacent to 95 private parcels of land, and would not cross any private parcels of land. Table 4-1 shows the approximate number of private parcels located adjacent to the transmission line, and the approximate number of parcels crossed by the transmission line. Alternatives A, B, and C are discussed later. An underbuild distribution line would be constructed in areas with existing distribution lines south of the Highline Canal. New transmission lines would be constructed along existing county road easements on private lands also south of the Highline Canal, and new rights-of--way would be secured for construction of new transmission lines on BLM-administered lands. Purchasing easements from private landowners would not be necessary, as the proposed transmission line does not cross any privately owned parcels of land north of the Highline Canal. Table 4-1: Transmission Line Impacts To Private Land Parcels Transmission Line Number of Private Parcels Adjacent to Transmission Line* Number of Private Parcels Crossed by Transmission Line Proposed 69kV Line 95 0 Alternative A 90 19 Alternative B 82 5 Alternative C 96 0 Source: Mesa County Assessor, 2008 *South of the Highline Canal 4-4 DBMS 559