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ATTACHMENT1Page 15 of 560 -83i ; ' vCharlotleF rPaars II (,/JO Nanton " ---- ---- - Kames City Kenedy Chri sti necrystalus , '-. . . ,: . . -.-. - - - -.- -.- - . .181 .DNleycity,., AMir -. F ' ff l S 83 1 6 J '-. .f16- ,. ., ' . - 72gig; Wells @ -,-., ," ' .7 2 Fowlenonnn s gLosAngeles, ., . \.Riverstulle Alxaeae8t} m - 59 ;-George westK6Nmo0 n 6 eauft 9&00(v @omufttArtesiaWells281. Mat1hi ' J --,-\ ----------f----.-59i,dB 8 16l 0IDi mQft83LegendPro iact Features- Project SubstationUtility Features136-kV Transmission Line69-kV Transmission LineW\128922\DD\GISWype\CCMFIgure 7 7 rrojecr -ncauon.naa iIDuval] @@141P11( ikange.Grove\\t.Figure 1-1 Project VicinityTransportation FeaturesAdministrative Boundary- Interstate Highway-- County Boundary58US Highway16State HighwayA Substationf/ 345 kV Transmission Line o Major Road"c,t RailroadTilden to Reveille 138-kVTransmission Line ProjectTEXefSMuniapal BoundaryWater FeaturePerennial Lake or PondesTM ,Area of Detail .,p.kPerennial River or Stream60 1 5 3a'I E SyData 7/31/2013s9
ATTACHMENT 1Page 16 of 560(This page left blank intentionally.)51
ATTACHMENT 1Page 17 of 5601.2PURPOSE AND NEEDSTEC Members, Karnes Electric Cooperative and Medina Electric Cooperative, areexperiencing rapid load growth in areas affected by Eagle Ford Shale oil and gas explorationand production. The area around Tilden in McMullen County, the area around Cotulla in LaSalle County, and the area in between the two towns is experiencing intensive exploration and,as a result of the success of the exploration, numerous pumping and processing facilities arerequesting electric service from STEC's Members. The proposed 138-kV line will connectSTEC's Tilden substation, located just east of Tilden, to the Reveille substation, located justsouth of Cotulla. The line will alleviate transmission line operating criteria violations theexpected loads will create.1.3DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION1.3.1Loading, Weather Data, and Design CriteriaSTEC's 138-kV transmission line is located in the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) LightLoading Zone and will be designed to meet or exceed NESC 2012 loading criteria (ANSI C22012). Depending on the type of structure used, various combinations of unbalanced vertical,transverse (wind), and longitudinal loadings (with and without ice) will be analyzed as to theeffects on the structures. Typical structure height will vary depending on type of structure used.The new 138-kV double circuit transmission line will utilize 795 kcmil (795,000 circular mils)aluminum conductor steel reinforced (ACSR) 26/7, "Drake" conductors. Depending upon thestructure type utilized a maximum of two overhead shield wires could be used, one of which willbe an optical ground wire (OPGW).1.3.2Structural and GeotechnicalAll structure components, conductors, and overhead ground wires will be designed using theappropriate overload capacity factors, strength reduction factors, and tension limits as given inNESC 2012 and the manufacturer's recommended strength ratings for hardware. In conjunctionwith NESC 2012, STEC's transmission line engineering standards will be used. The NESCMedium and Light-Loading Zone design criteria and extreme wind and ice loading conditions willbe utilized to determine tension sags for all wires.All structures will be designed to support conductors and shield wire(s) as specified above. Theconfiguration of the conductor and shield wire(s) will provide lightning protection and theappropriate clearances for operation of the 138-kV line. Supporting tangent structures will be52
ATTACHMENT 1Page 18 of 560either steel or concrete monopole structures or concrete H-frame structures (see Figures 1-2through 1-4). Typical deadend structures will be guyed steel or concrete, self-supporting steel,or guyed 3-pole concrete structures (see Figures 1-5 through 1-7). Structure heights will varydepending on topography, structure location, and span length. Geotechnical considerations willinclude soil borings and in-situ soils testing to provide the parameters for foundation designand/or the embedment depth required for new structures.CONSTRUCTION CONSIDERATIONS1.4Projects of this type require surveying and ROW clearing, foundation installation, structureassembly and erection, conductor and shield wire installation, cleanup, and restoration when theproject is completed. The following information regarding these activities was provided toPOWER by STEC.1.4.1ClearingRequired clearing of the ROW will be performed by a contractor under the direction of STEC.The planned methods of vegetation disposal are mulching, brush piling, and salvaging. Trees inthe ROW are initially cleared to permit safe construction of the line. Stumps are cut to groundlevel and left in place. The ROW will be utilized for primary access during constructionoperations but it is expected that isolated ingress and egress rights on adjacent properties willbe necessary. In these cases existing roads will be used where possible. Clearing will complywith North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) requirements.Clearing plans, methods, and practices are extremely important for success in any programdesigned to minimize the impacts of electric transmission lines on the natural environment. Thefollowing factors thoughtfully implemented and applied to this project will help meet this goal: Clearing will be performed in a manner that will maximize the preservation of naturalbeauty and the conservation of natural resources, and minimize disturbance to thelandscape. Clearing will be performed in a manner that will minimize impacts to waters in the area ofthe activity. The method of clearing the ROW will take into account soil stability, the protection ofnatural vegetation and sensitive habitats, the protection of adjacent resources such as53
ATTACHMENT1Page 19 of 560natural habitat for plants and wildlife, and the prevention of silt deposition inwatercourses. STEC will use the most efficient and effective method to remove undesirable vegetationspecies. Hydro axes and flail mowers might be used in clearing operations where suchuse will preserve the cover crop of grass, and similar vegetation. If deemed appropriate,US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved herbicides will be applied andhandled in accordance with the manufactures' published recommendations andspecifications, and as directed by appropriately qualified applicators.1.4.2ConstructionThe following is a description of typical construction methods for transmission line projects. Afterregulatory approval and design of the transmission line is finalized, ROW is obtained and thencleared of trees, etc., according to STEC's ROW clearing specifications. Structure locations aremarked for construction following clearing. Pole sections and associated line constructionhardware are transported to the site, typically to each structure location. Assembly of thestructures will typically occur on the ground with the assembled structure then lifted into place.Structures can be either direct embedded or installed on concrete anchor bolt foundationsdepending on the soil condition and the type of structure required. Once the structures havebeen erected, the process of conductor stringing begins. This is done by pulling ropes throughstringing blocks or pulleys attached to the insulators on the structures. These ropes are thenused to pull the conductor, overhead shield wire or OPGW into place. The wires are thensagged based on wire sag data and permanently "clipped" into clamps located at theattachment end on the insulator for the conductor and at the end of the support attachment foroverhead shield wire and OPGW.Construction operations will be conducted with attention to the preservation and enhancementof natural beauty and the conservation of natural resources. Criteria used to attain this goal aresubject to adjustment according to the rules and judgments of any public agencies whose landsmight be crossed by the proposed line or that may have regulatory authority over theconstruction activities.1. Clearing and grading of construction areas such as storage areas, setup sites, etc., willbe minimal. These areas will be graded in a manner that will minimize erosion andconform to the natural topography.54
ATTACHMENT1Page 20 of 5602. Soil that has been excavated during construction and not re-used will be evenlydistributed over the easement ROW. The distributed soil will be sloped gradually toconform to the terrain and the adjacent land. Disturbed area will be allowed to seednaturally or may be reseeded to reduce erosion, restore a natural appearance, and toprovide food or cover or wildlife or by mutual agreement with the landowner to matchexisting pasture use.3. Erosion control devices will be constructed where necessary to reduce soil erosion in theROW.4. Roads will not be constructed on unstable slopes.5. Clearing and construction activities near streambeds will be performed in a manner tominimize damage to the natural condition of the area. Stream banks will be restored asnecessary to minimize erosion.6. Efforts will be made to prevent and remediate accidental oil spills and other types ofpollution, particularly while performing work near streams, lakes, and reservoirs.7. Precautions will be taken to prevent the possibility of accidentally starting forest/rangefires.8. Precautions will be taken to protect natural features and cultural resources (identified bysite-specific studies of the project) along the ROW.9. If endangered species habitat is present, guidance from the US Fish and Wildlife Service(USFWS) will be obtained prior to all clearing and construction activities.10. Soil disturbance during construction will be kept to a minimum, and restorative measureswill be taken in a reasonable length of time.11. The project will comply with any applicable permit or regulatory approval.1.4.3CleanupThe cleanup operation involves the leveling of all disturbed areas to existing contours, theremoval of all construction debris, and the restoration by the construction of the project.The following criteria provide for the cleanup of construction debris and the restoration of thearea's natural setting. Further requirements might be imposed by public agencies and/or privateproperty owners whose land the line crosses or who might have regulatory authority over thecleanup activities.1. If site factors make it unusually difficult to establish a protective vegetative cover, otherrestoration procedures will be used, such as the use of gravel, rocks, concrete, etc.55
ATTACHMENT 1Page 21 of 5602. Sears, cuts, fill, or other aesthetically degraded areas will be allowed to seed naturally ormight be reseeded with native species to reduce erosion, restore a natural appearance,and to provide food and cover for wildlife.3. If temporary roads are removed, the original slopes will be restored.4. Construction equipment and supplies will be dismantled and removed from the ROWwhen construction is complete.5. Clearing down to the mineral soil might be required for road access. In this case, waterdiversion berms, velocity dissipaters, or other erosion-control devices will be used toreduce erosion potential.6. Construction waste will be removed prior to completion of the project.7. Replacement of soil adjacent to water crossings for access roads will be at slopes lessthan the normal angle of repose for the soil type involved and will bestabilized/revegetated to avoid erosion.8. This project will comply with any applicable permit or regulatory approval.1.5MAINTENANCE CONSIDERATIONSThe following information regarding maintenance of the facilities was provided to POWER bySTEC. Maintenance of the facilities will include periodic inspection of the line, repair of damagedstructures due to structural component failures, accidents, or natural phenomena such as windor lightning. In areas where treatment of vegetation within the ROW is required, mowing,pruning, and/or application of EPA-approved herbicides will be conducted as required to insureproper clearance between the conductors and nearby vegetation. Return intervals for vegetationmanagement depends on the growth rate of the inhabiting plant species and the amount ofrainfall during any defined period. Generally, STEC's 5-year ROW mowing schedule hassufficed to keep the operation of its lines safe and to allow equipment to reach facilities. The fewinstances of pruning and mowing that require a return interval shorter than the mowing intervalwill be recorded and work schedules for maintenance crew planned accordingly. Whilemaintenance patrols will vary, aerial patrols and foot patrols will be performed periodically. Incropland areas and managed grazing lands, little or no vegetation control will be required, dueto existing land use practices. The major maintenance item will be the trimming of trees thatpose a potential danger to the conductors or structures in order to provide a safe and reliablepower line.56
ATTACHMENT 1Page 22 of 560AGENCY ACTIONS1.6Numerous federal, state, and local regulatory agencies and organizations have developed rulesand regulations regarding the routing and potential impacts associated with the construction ofthe proposed project. This section describes the major regulatory agencies and additionalissues that are involved in project planning and permitting of transmission lines in Texas.POWER solicited comments from various regulatory entities during the development of thisdocument, and records of correspondence and additional discussions with these agencies andorganizations are provided in Appendix A.1.6.1Public Utility Commission of TexasThe PUC regulates the routing of transmission lines in Texas under Section 37.056(c)(4)(A)-(D)of PURA. The PUC regulatory guidelines for routing transmission lines in Texas include: Substantive Rule 25.101(b)(3)(B) Procedural Rule 22.52(a)(4) Policy of prudent avoidance CCN application requirementsThis EA has been prepared by POWER in support of STEC's CCN application for this project tobe filed at the PUC for approval.1.6.2United States Army Corps of EngineersThe US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is directed by Congress under Section 10 of theRivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (33 United States Code [U.S.C.] § 403) and Section 404 of theClean Water Act (CWA) (33 U.S.C. § 1344) to implement these statues. Under Section 10, theUSACE regulates all work or structures in or affecting the course, condition or capacity ofnavigable waters of the US. The intent of this law is to protect the navigable capacity of watersimportant to interstate commerce. Under Section 404, the USACE regulates the discharge ofdredged and fill material into all Waters of the US, including associated wetlands. The intent ofthis law is to protect the nation's waters from the indiscriminate discharge of material capable ofcausing pollution and to restore and maintain their chemical, physical, and biological integrity.The proposed project is located within the jurisdiction of the Fort Worth and Galveston Districtsof the USACE. Review of the National Hydrology Dataset and National Wetland Inventory (NWI)57
ATTACHMENT 1Page 23 of 560maps indicated numerous surface waters of the US and associated areas of potential forested,shrub/scrub and herbaceous wetlands within the study area. Upon PUC approval of a route,additional coordination, jurisdictional wetland verifications and permitting with the USACE Galveston and/or Fort Worth District for a Section 404 Permit might be required. Based on theproject footprint and construction techniques proposed, the construction of the project will likelymeet the criteria for Nationwide Permit (NWP) No. 12 - Utility Line Activities, which applies toactivities associated with any cable, line, or wire for the transmission of electrical energy. If theproposed impacts of the project exceed the criteria established under General Condition 13 orother regional conditions listed under the NWP 12, then a Regional General Permit might berequired. An Individual Permit is not anticipated for this project.1.6.3United States Fish and Wildlife ServiceThe USFWS is charged with the responsibility for enforcement of federal wildlife laws andproviding comments on proposed construction projects with a federal nexus under the NationalEnvironmental Policy Act (NEPA) and within the framework of several federal laws including theEndangered Species Act (ESA), Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), and Bald and Golden EagleProtection Act (BGEPA). POWER reviewed the Texas Natural Diversity Database (TXNDD)records of federal and state listed species occurrences and/or designated critical habitats.POWER considered these during the route development process.Upon PUC approval of a route and prior to construction, pedestrian surveys will be completedas needed to identify any suitable habitat for federally listed species. If suitable habitat is noted,then informal consultation with the USFWS - Corpus Christi Ecological Services Field Officemight be completed to determine the need for any required species-specific surveys and/orpermitting under Section 7 of the ESA.1.6.4Federal Aviation AdministrationAccording to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, Part 77, the construction of atransmission line requires FAA notification if tower structure height exceeds 200 feet or theheight of an imaginary surface extending outward and upward at one of the following slopes: A 100:1 slope for a horizontal distance of 20,000 feet from the nearest point of thenearest runway of a public or military airport having at least one runway longer than3,200 feet.58
ATTACHMENT1Page 24 of 560 A 50:1 slope for a horizontal distance of 10,000 feet from the nearest point of the nearestrunway of a public or military airport where no runway is longer than 3,200 feet in length. A 25:1 slope for a horizontal distance of 5,000 feet from the nearest point of the nearestlanding and takeoff area for heliports.The PUC CCN application also requires listing private airports within 10,000 feet of anyalternative route centerline. After PUC route approval, and if any of the FAA notification criteriaare met for the approved route, a Notice of Proposed Construction or Alteration, FAA Form7460-1, will be completed and submitted to the FAA Southwest Regional Office in Fort Worth,Texas at least 30 days prior to construction.1.6.5Texas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentThe Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is the state agency with the primaryresponsibility for protecting the state's fish and wildlife resources in accordance with the TexasParks and Wildlife Code Section 12.0011(b). POWER solicited comment from TPWD during theproject scoping phase of the project, and a copy of this EA will be submitted to TPWD when theCCN amendment application is filed with the PUC.1.6.6 Floodplain ManagementFlood Insurance Rate Maps, published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA), were reviewed for the study area and the mapped 100-year floodplains were identified.The proposed transmission line project is not anticipated to create any significant permanentchanges in the existing topographical grades and will not significantly increase the stormwaterrunoff within the study area due to increased areas of impermeable surfaces. Coordination withthe local floodplain administrator will be completed as necessary.1.6.7Texas Commission on Environmental QualityThe Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is the state agency with the primaryresponsibility for protecting the state's water quality. The construction of the project will likelyrequire a Texas Pollution Discharge Elimination System General Construction Permit(TX 150000) as implemented by the TCEQ under the provisions of Section 402 of the CWA andChapter 26 of the Texas Water Code. The TCEQ has developed a three-tiered approach forimplementing this permit which is dependent on the acreage of disturbance. No permitting isrequired for land disturbances of less than one acre (Tier I). If more than one acre, but less than59
ATTACHMENT1Page 25 of 560five acres are disturbed, then a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) must bedeveloped and implemented during construction activities accompanied with posting a sitenotice and notification sent to the Municipal Separate Sewer System Operator (Tier II). If morethan five acres of land are disturbed, then the requirements mentioned above for Tier II arenecessary and the submittal of a Notice of Intent (NOI) and Notice of Termination (NOT) to theTCEQ is also required (Tier III). Once a route is approved by the PUC, the proposed acreage ofground disturbance will be determined and the appropriate Tier and conditions of the TX150000permit will be evaluated.1.6.8Texas Historical CommissionCultural resources are protected by federal and state laws if they have some level ofsignificance under the criteria of the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) (36 Code ofFederal Regulations [CFR] Part 60) or under state guidance (Texas Administrative Code [TAC],Title 13, Part 2, Chapter 26.7-8). The Texas Historical Commission (THC) was contacted byPOWER to identify known cultural resource sites within the study area boundary. POWER alsoreviewed Texas Archeological Research Laboratory (TARL) records for known locations ofcultural resource sites. Once a route is approved by the PUC, additional coordination with theTHC might determine the need for any archeological surveys or additional permittingrequirements. Even if no additional surveys are required, STEC proposes to implement anunanticipated discovery procedure during construction activities. If artifacts are discoveredduring construction, activities will cease and STEC will notify the State Historic PreservationOffice ( SHPO) for additional consultation.1.6.9Texas Department of TransportationThe Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has been notified of the proposed project. Ifthe route approved by the PUC crosses or occupies TxDOT ROW, it will be constructed inaccordance with the rules, regulations, and policies of TxDOT. Best Management Practices(BMP) will be used, as required, to minimize erosion and sedimentation resulting fromconstruction. Revegetation efforts will comply with the requirements under the "RevegetationSpecial Provisions" and contained in TxDOT Form 1023 (Rev. 9-93). Traffic control measureswill comply with applicable portions of the Texas Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.60
ATTACHMENT 1Page 26 of 5601.6.10 Texas General Land OfficeThe Texas General Land Office (GLO) requires a miscellaneous easement for ROW within anystate-owned riverbeds or navigable streams or tidally influenced waters. Coordination with theGLO will be completed after PUC approval of a route.The Texas Land Commissioner also administers the Coastal Management Program through theGLO for projects located within the Coastal Management Zone. The study area is not locatedwithin the Coastal Zone boundary and no consistency determinations are required for thisproject.61
ATTACHMENT 1age 21 oINITIAL INSTALLATIONFUTURE INSTALLATIONILcoc7wX-16ILI -- -- 11- ilProject Location-Figure 1-2TYPICAL 138-kV STEEL TANGENT MONOPOLE STRUCTURETilden - ReveilleStudy ArePOWER 138-kV Transmission Line ProjectENGINEERSV ENGINEERSS South Texas Electric Cooperative. Inc.16120
rrACHMFNT 14Page 28 of 5 oINITIAL INSTALLATIONFUTURE INSTALLATIONILLL ES2WJa g 111-11-iiT -Project LocationFigure 1 -3TYPICAL 138-kV CONCRETE TANGENT MONOPOLE STRUCTUREStudy AreAWL Tilden - Reveille138-kV Transmission Line ProjectPOWERj ENGINEERSStec,South Texas Electric Coopantlvs, Mc.1-1663
1Page 29 of 5 0INITIAL INSTALLATIONFUTURE INSTALLATIONLLFtlWSNProject LocationFigure 1-4TYPICAL 138-kV CONCRETE H-FRAME TANGENT STRUCTURE ':: Tilden - Reveille R 138-kV Transmission Line ProjectStudy Are 9ENGINEERSS South Texas Electric Coopentlvs, Inc.(M7
Page 30 ofINITIAL INSTALLATIONFUTURE INSTALLATIONSWCOND CONDCONDT-{U0SSWCONDCOMCOND4NGEWENTGUY ARFigure 1-5TYPICAL 138-kV STEEL OR CONCRETE DEADEND STRUCTURETilden - Reveille13 8-kV Transmission Line ProjectENGINEERS((POWERSouth Texas ENCMe Coopentlvs. inc.b- p
Page 31 ofCONDCOND CO NDCONDCONDCONDCOND JCONDCONDCONDSPAN GUYSPAN GUY-- TAXISCONDCONDCONDCONDGUY ARRANGEMENTINITIAL INSTALLATION0)bFUTURE INSTALLATIONI8I(7wFigure 1 -6TYPICAL 138-kV CONCRETE 3-POLE DEADEND STRUCTURETilden - Reveille wR 138-kV Transmission Line ProjectAMC, ENGINEERSSouth Texas Elacbic Cooperative, Inc.Vp
Page 32 ofINITIAL INSTALLATIONFUTURE INSTALLATIONLocationFigure 1-7TYPICAL 138-kV STEEL SELF-SUPPORTING DEADEND STRUCTURETilden - Reveille R 138-kV Transmission Line ProjectAMC, ENGINEERSSouth Texas Eleabic CoopeMfvs, Inc.671-20
ATTACHMENT 1Page 33 of 5602.0DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA2.1ROUTING STUDY METHODOLOGYThe objective of this EA/Routing Study was to develop alternative routes that providegeographic diversity and comply with Section 37.056(c)(4)(A)-(D) of the Texas Utilities Code,PUC Procedural Rule 22.52 (a)(4), and PUC Substantive Rule 25.101(b)(3)(B), including thePUC Policy of Prudent Avoidance. The study approach utilized by POWER for this EA includedthe delineation of the study area based on the project endpoints; identification andcharacterization of existing land use and environmental constraints; and identification of areasof potential routing opportunity located within the study area. POWER identified potentiallyaffected resources and considered each during the route development process. Regulatoryagency, local official, and public meeting comments were also considered during the alternativeroute development process. Modifications, additions, or deletions of preliminary alternative linkswere made while considering resource sensitivities and public input and comments. Feasibleand geographically diverse alternative routes were then selected for analysis and comparisonusing evaluation criteria to determine potential impacts to existing land use and environmentalresources. The EA development process culminated with the ranking of the alternative routesfrom an environmental and land use perspective. With this recommendation from POWER,STEC also considered engineering and construction constraints, grid reliability and securityissues, and estimated costs to identify one alternative route that it believes best addresses therequirements of PURA and PUC substantive rules. This alternative route, as well as otheralternative routes that provide geographic diversity and sufficient routing options, will besubmitted to the PUC in the CCN application.2.1.1 Study Area Boundary DelineationThe study area is located south of San Antonio in South Texas and encompasses portions ofLaSalle and McMullen, counties. Delineation of the study area set the boundaries for the datacollection process and was defined to include feasible geographically diverse alternatives for thelocation of a 138-kV transmission line between the project endpoints. Major physiographicfeatures, jurisdictional boundaries, sensitive land uses, and existing utility corridors helped todelineate the study area boundaries (see Figure 2-1).The extent of the project endpoints and the study area are described below and illustrated inFigure 2-1. The study area is oriented east to west with the Tilden Substation located in the68
ATTACHMENT 1Page 34 of 560eastern portion of the study area, and the Reveille Substation located in the western portion ofthe study area. More specifically, the existing Tilden Substation is located approximately 1.7miles east of Tilden along State Highway ( SH) 72; and the Reveille Substation is locatedapproximately 1.4 miles south-southwest of Cotulla and west of Interstate Highway (11-1) 35. Thewidth of the study area boundary extends north to south for approximately 15 miles, and thelength of the study area boundary extends west to east for approximately 51 miles,encompassing a total area of approximately 765 square miles.The eastern study area boundary is primarily defined by the location of the Tilden Substationand the need for development of alternative routes that extend west towards the vicinity of theReveille Substation. The northern and southern boundaries of the study area were defined toprovide for the development of geographically diverse routing alternatives. The westernboundary of the study area is primarily defined by the location of the Reveille Substation.2.1.2 Base Map DevelopmentAfter delineation of the study area, a project base map, overlain on United States GeologicalSurvey (USGS) 7.5 minute topographic maps and aerial photography, was prepared and usedto initially display resource data for the project area. Resource data categories and factors thatwere determined appropriate for interpretation and analysis were selected and mapped. Thebase map provides a broad overview of various resource locations indicating obvious routingconstraints and areas of potential routing opportunities.Data typically displayed on the base map includes: Major land jurisdictions and uses Major roads (including county roads (CR), farm-to-market (FM) roads, USHighways (US Hwy), State Highways (SH), and Interstate Highways (IH)) Existing transmission line and pipeline corridors Parks and wildlife management areas Major political subdivision boundaries Lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and ponds69
ATTACHMENT1Page 35 of 560Tilden to Reveille 138-kV Transmission Line ProjectTHIS PAGE IS OVERSIZEDAND CAN BE VIEWEDAT CENTRAL RECORDSFigure 2-1Oversized Map(Study Area)Page 2-32-370
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ATTACHMENT 1Page 37 of 5602.1.3 Evaluation CriteriaLand use and environmental evaluation criteria were developed to reflect accepted practices forrouting electric transmission lines in the state of Texas (
NESC 2012 and the manufacturer's recommended strength ratings for hardware. In conjunction with NESC 2012, STEC's transmission line engineering standards will be used. The NESC Medium and Light-Loading Zone design criteria and extreme wind and ice loading conditions
