Lallie

PUBLIC NOTICE

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment

For the Lallie Substation Relocation

Benson County, North Dakota

Interested persons are hereby notified that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)/Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (NDDES), and the Central Power Electric Cooperative (CPEC), a Rural Electric Co-op, through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) under Presidential Disaster Declaration FEMA-1981-DR are preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed relocation of the Lallie Electric Substation and ancillary power-distribution system.  In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and the implementing regulations of FEMA, an EA is being prepared to assess the potential impacts of each of the proposed alternatives on the human and natural environment. This also provides public notice to invite public comments on the proposed project in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management, and Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands.

 The Cooperative has identified the need to protect the substation and ancillary power-distribution system against periodic flooding and long-term inundation due to rising water levels in the surrounding Devils Lake basin. The proposed project will relocate the existing substation to a new location 1.3 miles north of its present location. The proposed 2 acre relocation site is located at Latitude 47.981253; Longitude -99.212460.  The proposed route of the electrical transmission line will parallel the west side of U.S. Highway 281 from the new location and extend northward for approximately one half mile until intersecting an existing Central Power Electrical Cooperative transmission line. The entire project area lies within the boundaries of the Spirit Lake Sioux Reservation.

A public comment period related to the Proposed Action will remain open for 15 days following publication of this notice.  If no substantive comments are received by the above deadline, the draft EA will become final and associated Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and be issued by FEMA. Substantive comments will be addressed as appropriate in the final documents.

Interested parties may submit comments or request hard copy of the draft EA and other information by contacting:

 Lallie EA

APPENDIX A - Maps & Figures

APPENDIX B - Photographs

APPENDIX C - Correspondence