Middle Bald Mountain Public Radio Communications Facility ...a123.g.akamai.net/7/123/11558/abc123/forestservic.download.akam… · PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY EIS PROPOSED

MIDDLE BALD MOUNTAIN PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY EIS

WELCOME!

Middle Bald Mountain Public Radio

Communications Facility EISScoping Meetings

October 9, 20122:00 - 7:00 pm

(open house format)

US Forest ServiceContinental Divide Conference Room2150 Centre Drive

Building EFort Collins, CO

October 10, 2012 2:00 - 7:00 pm

(open house format)

Livermore Community Hall1956 Red Feather Lakes Road

(CR 74E)Livermore, CO


EIS PROCESS

Final EIS & NOASummer 2013

Draft EIS &Notice of Availability (NOA)

Spring 2013

Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS

Record of Decision

45-Day Comment Period

Forest Service Objection or Appeal Period

WE ARE HERE

Proposed Action & Alternatives

Public ScopingSeptember 14 - October 29th, 2012


HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Sign in and join the project mailing list in order to stay informed on the project’s progress.

Visit stations and read materials.

Discuss the project with US Forest Service representatives.

Join a small group workshop to discuss potential design considerations.

Provide your written scoping comments at this meeting, by mail, or by email.

Stay informed by visiting the project website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/arp/middlebald.


HOW TO COMMENT Send your written comments:Via mail to

Middle Bald Communication Site Commentsc/o Logan Simpson Design123 N. College Ave., Ste. 206Fort Collins, CO 80524

Via email to

[email protected]. Please include “Middle Bald Comment’’ in the subject line.

Tips for making effective comments:

Remember we need your comments to help the analysis for the EIS.

alternatives.

Scoping comments must be received by October 29, 2012.


PROJECT OVERVIEWThe U.S. Forest Service is preparing an environmental impact statement to consider and disclose the environmental effects of constructing and operating a government-only, public safety radio communications facility near the summit of Middle Bald Mountain, in the Roosevelt National Forest.

has proposed construction of a site to improve public safety radio communications among government agencies, such as County, State, and

departments, Larimer County Search and Rescue, U.S. Forest Service, and other emergency responders and public service providers operating in the north central portions of the County.

The proposed communication facility would also improve radio communication in areas of the Cache la Poudre Canyon (the Canyon) and State Highway 14 which currently have poor or no radio communication.

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Middle BaldMountain

North BaldMountain

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Deadman Rd.

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Larimer County Communications SiteV i c i n i t y M a p ±0 4 82 Miles

# Proposed Action

BLM

FWS

NPS

USFS - ARNF

USFS - ROUTT

CDOW

SLB

STATE

STPARKS

Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forest

Rocky MountainNational Park

14


PURPOSE AND NEEDThe purpose of and need for this action are to improve poor or non-existent VHF and 800 MHz radio coverage in the north central part of Larimer County, including Red Feather Lakes, Crystal Lakes, Glacier Meadows, the Canyon, State Highway 14, and in recreational areas in the Roosevelt National Forest.

Improved VHF and 800 MHz communications

law enforcement, and other public safety/public service agencies to more quickly and better assist the residents and recreational visitors during both emergency and routine incidents. The need was reinforced during the Hewlett and High Park

Current VHF Radio Coverage Projected Improved VHF Radio Coverage

Projected Improved 800MHz Radio CoverageCurrent 800MHz Radio Coverage


PROPOSED ACTIONThe proposed action would consist of:

An approximately 70-foot high, three-legged steel lattice tower and 200 square-foot equipment building.

An approximately 0.55-mile long and 10-foot wide access road passable by heavy construction vehicles from NFSR 517 to the building site near the summit. Post-construction, the access road could be rehabilitated to a level required by the Forest Service.

An approximately 12-mile long overhead powerline along County Road 162 (Deadman Road), NFSR 300, NFSR 517 and the proposed access road to the point at which the access road exits the trees into the open meadow of the summit.

The powerline would be buried under the access road between the edge of the trees and the building site. The proposed facility would include a backup 20 kilowatt diesel generator for use in the event of interruption of commercial power.


PROPOSED ACTION TOWER

A1

A1

A2

A2

Top of Tower

Conduit W/Anchors

Above Ground Conduit

Buried Power Conduit Concrete Tower Pad

End of Road

Middle Bald Mountain Peak

Elev: 11,051.50

Elev: 7” Above Existing

Elev: 10,981.50

Elev: 10,939.00

Elev: 11,012.81


PROPOSED ACTION TOWERPhotographic simulation from 8.0 miles away, from westbound Red Feather Lakes Road (74E), 1/4 east of CR 162, looking southwest toward Middle Bald Mountain.

Simulation of the Draft Proposed Action

Existing Conditions


PROPOSED ACTION TOWER

Photographic simulation from 6.2 miles away from Bellaire Day Use Area, looking west toward Middle Bald Mountain.

Existing Conditions

Simulation of the Draft Proposed Action


PROPOSED ACTION TRANSMISSION LINE & ACCESS ROADS

Transmission Line


PROPOSED ACTION

Transmission Line

Access Road BuildingTower


POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVESPROJECT COMPONENT

LARIMER COUNTY PROPOSED ACTION

OPTIONS/ALTERNATIVES*

Site Location Middle Bald Mountain Multiple site locations have been considered (see separate board - Project History).

Site Designations Government-Only Site: Tower & building to be used by USFS, County, State, and other agencies

Low Power/Non-Broadcast (allows government as well as cellular, utilities, and other communication uses (such as commercial 2-way radio)) Low Power (allows all of the above and low-power broadcast (such as AM radio)) Broadcast (allows all of the above and full high-power broadcast (such as TV, FM radio, etc.))

70’, 3-legged, steel lattice tower; non-

tower visible above summit

Taller tower to accommodate additional usersDisguise tower (i.e. to look like a rock outcrop or other natural feature)

near summit

tower.Building Design and

LocationRectangular, 200 sq ft building, designed to blend with site surroundings, located about 200’ north of tower site.

Locate building at other locations near the tower/summit.Locate building at a distance from tower at a different location. Connect standby generator to tower with underground cable.

Access Route and Route Design

Construction: Improved road (Level 2) from NFSR 517 to edge of trees. Post-Construction: Rehabilitate level 2 road to a 2-track road; install gates at both ends.

Construction: Level 2 road from NFSR 517 to facility along a different alignment (to be determined.)Post-Construction: Rehabilitate level 2 road to a 2-track road; install gates at both ends. Construction: No access road; use helicopter construction methods.Post-Construction: No road construction, no rehabilitation needed.(Place temporary load spreading mats across meadow.)

Power Source Primary: Construct new electric distribution lineBackup: 20 kW diesel generator

Primary: Solar arrayBackup: Batteries charged by solarPrimary: Wind turbineBackup: Batteries charged by windPrimary: Hybrid power system (wind + solar OR powerline + solar or wind)Backup: batteries charged by hybrid solar/wind systemPrimary: Construct new electric distribution lineBackup: Instead of diesel generator, batteries charged by hybrid solar/wind system

Power Line Construct overhead power line along Deadman Rd. (LCR 162) and NFSR 300 and 517Underground last 1,000’ across meadow to facility site

Underground power line in or adjacent to upgraded NFSR 517 (Bald Mtn 4wd Trail) and across meadow to facility site.Underground entire length of powerline.Overhead power line alongside upgraded NFSR 517 (Bald Mtn. 4wd Trail). Continue overhead across meadow to facility site.Overhead power line alongside Deadman Rd., NFSR 300 and 517. Overhead across meadow to facility site.On-the-ground power cable from Bellaire Campground area or Red Feather Lakes area cross-country to facility.

Operations & Maintenance

Construction: Various wheeled heavy equipment Operations & Maintenance: Only foot

Construction: Helicopter for installation of on-the-ground power cable and/or building and tower.

NFSR 517, helicopter for radio equipment and generator fuel.

*No Action will be also be considered for all project components.


PROJECT HISTORYMARCH 2001Technical Study conducted for Larimer County

Poudre Canyon and Laramie River Valley as areas requiring additional radio coverage. Report concludes that expanding the radio system would require additional tower sites.

MARCH 2003Larimer County submits to USFS a proposal for the construction of a communications facility on South Bald Mountain.

APRIL 2003USFS denies County application after determining that the proposed site on South Bald Mountain is not consistent with applicable laws and policies, because the location is within the Green Ridge inventoried roadless area.

MAY 2003-APRIL 2006Following rejection of South Bald Mountain site, Larimer County conducts additional technical studies and evaluates multiple sites for improving radio communications in northern portions of the county. These studies result in a proposal to construct facilities on Middle Bald Mountain.

SEPTEMBER 2006USFS initiates NEPA process for a site located on Middle Bald Mountain.

NOVEMBER 2007Public scoping meeting held at the Magic Sky Girl Scout Ranch.

JULY 2008Larimer County suspends work on the project due to budget constraints.

DECEMBER 2009 After completion of additional technical studies, Larimer County requests USFS to re-activate its application for Middle Bald Mountain.

APRIL 2011

Middle Bald Mountain proposal and analyzes

Poudre Canyon.

SEPTEMBER 2012USFS issues Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Middle Bald Mountain Public Safety Radio Communications Facility.


PREVIOUSLY CONSIDERED TOWER, BUILDING SITES & ACCESS ROADS

Building 6

Tower

Building 5

Building 3

Building 2

Building 1Building 4

Alternative Access Roads


POTENTIAL DESIGN CRITERIATYPE OF TOWERLattice Monopole Integrated with Building Fire Lookout or

Recreational DestinationIdeas? Ideas?

Ideas?

Ideas? Ideas?

ROAD TYPEConstruction OperationNew 10-foot Wide Access Road

Trample-proof Mats Helicopter Installation, no access road

10-foot Wide Bladed Road 2 Track Road, Not Bladed Overland Travel, no access road.

Ideas? Ideas? Ideas? Ideas? Ideas? Ideas?

SUPPORT BUILDING AND GENERATORPrefabricated with Paint Recreational Outlook

Ideas? Ideas? Ideas?

NEARBY VISITOR AMENITIESTrailhead Improvements Interpretation regarding

Communication SystemsTrail Upgrades or Maintenance

Ideas?

Ideas? Ideas?

SOLAR ENERGY POWER SOURCETower supplied entirely by solar power, backup generator, and backup batteries, no powerline.

Ideas?


ISSUESUsing the space below, please note issues that should be considered in the EIS.


QUESTIONSUsing the space below, please note any questions that you have regarding the proposed project. Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) will be posted on the project website.


WHO MAKES THE DECISION?

Supervisor for the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

whether or not to authorize the proposed action or other action alternative that may be developed by the Forest Service as a result of scoping.

Permits or Licenses Required

Special use authorization from the Forest Service would be required to implement the proposal or other action alternative that may be developed by the Forest Service after

Plan amendment would also be necessary if the decision is to permit a communication site on Middle Bald Mountain.


PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT:THREE PHASES

Draft EIS Review

Agencies and the public will have an opportunity to comment on the Draft EIS during a 45-day public review period. Objectives for Draft EIS Review

Provide a forum for the public to provide comments on, or to ask

Draft EIS.

Final EIS and Records of Decision

The Final EIS will include responses to all substantive public comments received on the Draft EIS. The US Forest Service’s Record of Decision will not be issued until at least 45 days after the issuance of the Final EIS.

Scoping

Provide an overview of the project purpose and need.

Identify issues for analysis in the EIS.Ensure that we have reached key stakeholders and obtained their perspectives.

The comments received from agencies and the public during scoping will be used to guide analysis and development of the Draft EIS.

Documents

Middle Bald Mountain Public Radio Communications Facility ...a123.g.akamai.net/7/123/11558/abc123/forestservic.download.akam… · PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY EIS PROPOSED