1-20-21 Comments Provided for the Wildfire Risk Reduction, Reliability, and Asset Protection Project, EIS/EIR Scoping, Western Area Power Administration

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Category: California
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Introduction

 

The Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) and the Trinity Public Utilities District (Trinity PUD) are proposing the Wildfire Risk Reduction, Reliability, and Asset Protection (WRAP) Project to reduce the fire risk in the Trinity County communities by expanding transmission / distribution Rights-of-Way (ROWs) and by implementing a vegetation management program within the expanded ROWs. WAPA invited public review and comment on the scope of the WRAP Environmental Impact Study / Environmental Impact Report.

 

Comments

 

Western Area Power Administration, Sierra Nevada Region ​

​ATTN:  Tish Saare, Supervisory Environmental Protection Specialist

​114 Parkshore Dr. 

​Folsom, CA 95630

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (saare at wapa dot gov)

 

Re: Wildlife Risk Reduction, Reliability, and Asset Protection Project

 

Dear Ms. Saare:

 

Environmental Review, Inc. has reviewed the document Wildfire Risk Reduction, Reliability, and Asset Protection (WRAP) Project Virtual Scoping Meeting Presentation dated January 12 & 14, 2021 and has the following comments: 

 

1.       On the website where the project documents are housed (https://www.wapa.gov/regions/SN/environment/Documents/WRAP_ProjectMap.pdf), the attachment titled “Project Map (December 2020)” is unreadable, specifically the document title and map labels.  We suggest replacing the project map with one containing clear and legible labels.

 

2.       On Slide 12, one of the short-term ROW maintenance actions described in the proposed WRAP project is to clear vegetation in the ROW using a combination of mechanical, manual, and herbicidal control methods.  The EIS / EIR to be prepared should address how this increased vegetation clearing would impact soil erosion, sediment runoff, water quality of nearby waterways, and regional flooding.

 

3.       On Slide 14, a comprehensive operation & maintenance (O&M) plan is listed as a long-term ROW maintenance action.  We recommend this O&M plan be made available for public review and comment to ensure public concerns are considered.  Additionally, we kindly request any project-related Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans be made available for public review and comment.

 

Sincerely,

 

Aubrey Glynn, PE

Environmental Reviewer (Associate in Illinois)

Environmental Review, Inc.

1792 Rogers Ave, San Jose, California 95112

 www.envreview.org (a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation)