[pct-l] Sunrise Powerlink Project

[Ken Roberts]

Looks like the Transmission Line Route may be leaning towards a southern route that crosses near Hauser Creek Canyon. 

The following is from a "Recirculated Draft Environmental Impact Report / Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement" located at 

http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/Environment/info/aspen/sunrise/toc-rdeir.htm

3.3.6 Pacific Crest Trail Reroute

3.3.6.3 Visual Resources
The Pacific Crest Trail Reroute would eliminate two crossings of the PCT, which would reduce the occurrence of extended in-line views of the transmission line and overall structural prominence experienced along the PCT. The reroute would also utilize a southwest-northeast route orientation across a portion of Hauser Creek Canyon that would reduce the visual prominence of the canyon crossing when viewed from the PCT. Furthermore, by moving the route further to the south, view blockage of the mountains and ridges to the north would be reduced when traveling north on the PCT between MP MRD-12 and MRD-13. Although the reroute would separate the routes of the existing 69
kV wood-pole transmission line and the proposed steel-lattice 500 kV transmission line along this route segment, the reduction in PCT crossings and shift to a less visually prominent route would outweigh any sense of proliferation of utility lines that travelers on the PCT might experience. While the visual impact of the Pacific Crest Trail Reroute would still be significant (Class I), the impact would be less severe compared to the original Modified Route D Alternative.
3.3.6.4 Wilderness and Recreation Resources
Even with the reroute, the 500 kV steel towers would be visible to hikers along the PCT, especially where the line would cross the trail. Thus, visual resource and corona noise impacts would directly adversely affect the character of the PCT and would result in a significant and unmitigable impact (Class I). Although Impact WR-2 (Presence of a transmission line or substation would permanently change the character of a recreation area, diminishing its recreational value) would remain significant and unmitigable (Class I) for the Modified Route D Alternative, the Pacific Crest Trail Reroute is preferred
from a wilderness and recreation standpoint because it would eliminate two crossings of the PCT by the  Modified Route D Alternative.
Sunrise Powerlink Project

3.3.6.5 Conclusion
This reroute was suggested by SDG&E, with input from the USFS, CPUC and BLM, and would reduce impacts to PCT by eliminating two crossings of the trail. Furthermore, by moving the route further to the south, view blockage of the mountains and ridges to the north would be reduced when traveling north on the PCT between MP MRD-12 and MRD-13. While the visual and wilderness and recreation impacts of the Pacific Crest Trail Reroute would still be significant (Class I), the impacts would be less severe compared to the original Modified Route D Alternative. Impacts to biological resources would be slightly greater with the reroute. 

Ken R.